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Donald Paul Brown Jr. grew up surrounded by the Book Cliffs in Grand Junction, CO. This formative environment provided the initial inspiration for The Basalt Door. After driving many miles through Utah every week for approximately four years for FedEx, he was inspired to write. He spent nearly three decades working as a truck driver (owner-operator) before finally committing to writing full-time. Today, Donald Paul Brown Jr. lives in Fort Worth, Texas, where he continues to explore science fiction in his work.
This piece was born from a blend of personal experiences, a fascination with ancient mysteries, and a desire to explore the boundaries between reality and imagination. The following breaks down the key sources of my inspiration for writing this work.
One of the primary sparks for The Basalt Door came from my travels as a professional driver and all the years of driving through the Four Corners and the mountains of Utah. The silent strength and natural artistry of the mountains always made me wonder about the possible worlds that may have existed before the Flood. The landscapes I viewed every day inspired the setting, atmosphere, and the very essence of the basalt door in my story.
From a young age, I have been captivated by tales of hidden passageways, secret societies, and gateways to other realms. During the time of my travels, my wife shared many authors, podcasts, and books, such as Blurry Creatures with hosts Nathan Henry and Lukas Rogers; authors Derek and Sharon Gilbert; author Rob Skiba; TruNews host Rick Wiles; True Legends with author Timothy Alberino; author Steve Quayle; and SkyWatch TV with Tom Horn, just to name a few, that led me in the direction of writing The Basalt Door. This curiosity is at the heart of my narrative, driving both character and plot.
The Basalt Door itself serves as a metaphor for personal growth and facing the unknown. During times when life’s challenges felt as immovable and daunting as the process of writing this book, I found strength in perseverance and creativity. I envisioned what it would mean to move beyond those barriers. Writing this story allowed me to process and transform those challenges into something meaningful and creative, turning obstacles into opportunities for discovery.
I sought to weave together threads of mythological symbolism with contemporary themes. Basalt, in many cultures, is associated with endurance, protection, and transformation. By infusing my story with these elements, I hoped to create a narrative that resonates on both an emotional and mythic level.
Ultimately, The Basalt Door was inspired by a convergence of natural wonder, literary influences, personal reflection, and a quest to explore what lies beyond the familiar. Through the story, I invite readers to step up to their own doors of basalt—both literal and metaphorical—and consider what new worlds may await them on the other side.
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