EASTHAMPTON — His own life experiences and interests greatly inspired Easthampton resident J.D. O’Brien’s first novel “Zig Zag,” published in February of this year. The crime novel follows the main characters Capri Dall and her boyfriend through a botched marijuana dispensary robbery in the San Fernando Valley and as they try to escape from bail bondsman Harry Robatore by traveling through the Mojave Desert.

“I used to take long walks around the [Van Nuys] neighborhood and pass dicey bail bonds offices, illegal marijuana dispensaries, pawn shops, and the courthouse,” said O’Brien. “ I’ve also taken several road trips all over the Mojave Desert which inspired the second half of the book when the characters are on the road.”

The bondsman was inspired by O’Brien’s interest in the actor Harry Dean Stanton, who O’Brien describes as a “1970s cowboy throwback character.”

Originally a screenplay, this debut novel was reimagined as a crime novel and published earlier this year by Arizona-based publisher Schaffner Press. For O’Brien, it’s been something he’s worked at for some time and he credits the publisher for its support in making this dream a reality.

“It’s my first book so it’s been exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time but overall very good,” said O’Brien. “It took me a long time to get a book published so I’m definitely not over the novelty of holding the actual hardcover in my hand or seeing it on the shelf at a bookstore.”

Since its release, the book has been recognized multiple times. In February, the Pima County Public Library named “Zig Zag” one of its Southwest Books of the Year, calling it a “richly written caper.” The website Shelf Awareness also gave “Zig Zag” a rave review as one of its weekly book reviews. Paul Dinh-McCrillis described the novel as a “wry and raucous thriller” and said O’Brien “comes off as a seasoned pro…in this engrossing page-turner.”

Although O’Brien originally intended to move on from the characters of “Zig Zag,” that’s no longer the plan.

“When I finished “Zig Zag” I started on something completely different, but when I had to dive back in with my editor to do revisions for the book I realized I missed hanging out with the characters and that I had more stories to tell about them,” explained O’Brien. “I set the other book aside and dove into writing a sequel to “Zig Zag.” I’m hoping to have a draft done by the end of the year.”

Originally from Western Massachusetts, O’Brien has recently returned after spending some time in New York, Portland and Los Angeles.

“When I was younger it was more important to me to live in bigger cities and have those experiences,” said O’Brien. “I moved back because my family is here and it was getting harder to only see everyone once or twice a year. Now I like living in a place where I can own a house and have a more laid-back family kind of life. I also get a lot more writing done.”

The hardcover version of “Zig Zag” is available now and the paperback edition is expected to be released later this year.