Behind the Book: The (mostly) true story behind the writing of:

Tangled in Time: A Science Fiction/Steampunk Romance Novella

Colonel Carey (from The Key and Girl Gone Nova) takes a test "flight" through the Garradian time-space portal, but an unexpected impact lands him somewhere and some when. As he attempts to get to Area 51, he crosses paths with Miss Olivia Carstairs, who could be Mary Poppins' twin sister. Or maybe her cousin. Olivia's got a transmogrification machine and a mouth he'd like to kiss like it was his job. Can he get them both to safety before the buzzard eats them or she shoots him with her derringer?

The Interview:

Me: So, you wrote a steampunk/science fiction/romance novella. I'm a bit boggled by that. Can you tell us how this happened?

Myself: Tangled in Time started as a short story called Big Bender. It was supposed to be for our latest chapter anthology, highlighting Texas landmarks and parks. I'd had several false starts on the short story and had almost given up when I got the idea to mix a little steampunk into the science fiction romance story line.

Me: But you ran into a problem, shall we say with some multiplying math?

Myself: We know we hate math, but it was definitely a multiplying problem. The guidelines for the anthology limited the word count to 7,000. When I hit 6,999, I knew I was in trouble. Then I figured, well, some people are submitting two stories, so I can go to 14,000 and if we take two stories from authors, then I have a chance. At 14,999, I was once again in trouble. The story wanted more room. It didn't aspire to BAB (big a** book) status, but it wanted to at least be a novella. When I took the brakes off, the story blossomed rapidly into a fun ride for me. I hope readers will agree. :-)

Me: The research for this book took you to some strange places, both in books and websites.

Myself: It did indeed. I've posted some of the links and books on the book page, just because it was so strange and diverse. I'd be ripping along and then I'd have to stop and find arcane facts, such as when the first helicopter came into use and when Alice in Wonderland was first published.  And Frankenstein.

Me: Frankenstein?

Myself: I'm afraid so.

Me: And then there is the problem of names for Olivia's whacky inventions.

Myself: Those were almost as hard to make up as the story itself. And then there was the problem of getting into the head of a Victorian lady, figuring out she'd think and talk. That was hard! I have a new respect for historical authors!

Me: That's one reason this won't be a BAB?

Myself: That's right. But this story is a bridge novella between Girl Gone Nova and the next BAB in the series. And it, totally accidentally, gave me a great jump off point for the next BAB.

Me: In which you hope to bring back characters from the other two BAB's?

Myself: That's my hope. I left a few threads out there, hoping I'd figure out how to pick them up in the next BAB and I have an inkling now, which I didn't have when I finished Girl Gone Nova.

Me: Inklings are good, they are a start.

Myself: Way better than: no clue.

Me: Which brings us to Colonel Carey. There's a kind of amusing story about him, right?

Myself: Yeah, I had decided he'd be the hero of the story, because well, I wanted him to have a story. I went into The Key and Girl Gone Nova to find out what I'd written about him and realized I'd never give him a first name! So my first problem was figuring out what it was. That's harder than you'd think. I'd try one and he'd say no. A good friend played sounding board and he finally got his name.

Me: And then there's Olivia's transmogrification machine. (Aren't glad this is a novel and not a movie, because who can say that w/o stuttering?) There's an amusing exchange about that with you, your hubby and your son?

Myself: (Yes, glad I don't have to say "transmogrification" too often!) Olivia's machine needs/needed a power source. Since this is steampunk, I chose steam, but then hubby tells me that you need a power source to get steam and that basically my premise was flawed. Well, I whined to the son about it and he says, "You mean dad says your fictional power source won't work in the fictional world of your novel?" LOL!

Me: How did you deal with it?

Myself: I punted it, maybe into next book, maybe into space. Science isn't my strong suit.

Me: Which would explain why you are currently writing science fiction.

Myself: No need to get nasty. I used to make up answers on my science tests. Why would I stop making up things now?

Me: It does explain the "fiction" label on your work. So, this novella has given you a place to start with on the next BAB?

Myself: It does. I'm quite excited to get working on it, but I'm currently editing and polishing both the novella and Girl Gone Nova (which releases April, 2010). But it feels good to be excited about it all. :-)

Me: So when might we expect Tangled in Time to appear in cyberspace?

Myself: No clue, since I haven't turned it into my publisher yet. But hoping to get it done in time to follow on the heels of Girl Gone Nova or soon after. (Update: Tangled in Time will release 12/2010!)

Me: Would a reader have to have read the other two books to enjoy this one?

Myself: No, but it would heighten their enjoyment of the story. I don't like adding tons of back story to anything I do, so there will be references to people that you wouldn't know w/o reading the other books BUT it wouldn't impact your basic enjoyment or understanding of the novella. :-)

Me: Well, we should stop now or this interview will end up longer than the novella. Thanks for chatting with me. :-)

Myself: I always enjoy chatting with me when I have the time. ;-)

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