By: Seraphina Quinn
Brianna Riley MacMahon was born in Danbury, Connecticut, on July 18, 1995. Her family moved to New York State when she was just a week old due to her father’s new job, and she has lived there ever since. Brianna’s educational journey began at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, where she pursued her undergraduate studies in political science and history. The subjects she studied during this time sowed the seeds for her later works. After completing her undergraduate degree, she continued her education at Syracuse University, earning a Master’s in political science in 2020, a year marked by global challenges and changes.
Initially, Brianna envisioned a career in academia as a professor at a liberal arts college. However, she soon realized that the academic path was not her true calling. She found herself repeatedly drawn to writing, a passion she had nurtured since childhood. Despite voices in her head warning her about the impracticality of a writing career, Brianna decided to pursue her dream. She balanced her writing aspirations with freelance work as an editor and proofreader, providing her with a steady income while she worked on her writing projects.
The inspiration for Brianna’s debut book, “On the Precipice,” originated during her undergraduate years. Immersed in political theory classes, she began to imagine a different political system and started building a unique world grounded in the theories she was learning. This book, which she describes as political science fiction, took nearly nine years to develop. The story is set in a different universe with its own political systems and characters, aiming to reflect the complexities and flaws of real people.
“On the Precipice” explores themes of power, societal change, and control. Brianna hopes her readers will reflect on the nature of a deeply polarized society and the impact of political decisions on individual lives. The book aims to draw parallels between the fictional world and real-world political scenarios, encouraging readers to think critically about their own society.
The book features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Brianna wanted her characters to be multi-dimensional, capable of evoking both empathy and frustration in readers. Set against the backdrop of a generation-defining electoral cycle, the narrative delves into political alliances, betrayals, and unexpected twists. Brianna’s goal was to create characters that readers could either root for or against, making the story engaging and relatable.
Brianna’s own experiences and observations of the political landscape have significantly influenced her writing. Her first experience voting in the 2016 presidential election heightened her awareness of political dynamics and informed her storytelling. Writing became an emotional outlet for her, a way to process and articulate her thoughts on political standoffs and societal polarization.
One of the recurring themes in Brianna’s work is the concept of found family and loyalty. In her book, characters often create their own families and support systems, reflecting a theme that resonates with many readers. This aspect of her storytelling underscores the importance of friendship and loyalty, offering a message of hope and resilience.
Brianna’s book is targeted at adult readers, particularly those interested in deep world-building and complex characters. While the story is dense and intellectually challenging, it promises to be a rewarding read for those who enjoy diving into intricate political systems and moral dilemmas. The book’s appeal lies in its detailed narrative and the relatable flaws of its characters.
Brianna is excited about the future of her characters and the unfolding political landscape in her fictional world. She has plans for sequels that will explore the consequences of the events in “On the Precipice” and the evolving relationships between her characters. She is particularly interested in the dynamic between two characters, Banner and Kosabeus, whose interactions provide much-needed levity in the narrative.
Brianna advises aspiring writers to focus on creating relatable characters and detailed worlds rather than striving for complete originality. She encourages writers to embrace their unique perspectives and not to be discouraged by the pressure to reinvent the wheel. She also shares practical tips for overcoming writer’s block, such as using brackets to outline scenes and returning to them later when inspiration strikes.
Brianna MacMahon’s journey from aspiring academic to published author is a testament to her perseverance and passion for storytelling. Her book, “On the Precipice,” offers readers a complex and thought-provoking narrative that reflects real-world political issues. Her characters, themes, and insights make her work both engaging and relevant, promising a bright future for this talented author. As Brianna continues to write and develop her fictional universe, she remains committed to exploring the human condition and the intricacies of societal change through her compelling storytelling.
Published by: Holy Minoza
