Why I Wrote SPECTERS IN THE STORM

We’re two days into the official release of the Edge of Never boxed set, which includes my short novel Specters in the Storm. If you read my Monday post, then you know that I wrote it in answer to a call for a boxed set and that it took me out of my comfort zone a little, but ended up being a lot of fun.

What you don’t know, but soon will, is that Specters started out its book life as the beginning of a full length, steampunk novel. As originally conceived, the Great Storm of 1900 was going to be the defining moment with my characters. I planned something big and sprawling and filled with twists and turns. But when I decided to retool it for Edge of Never, I had to shrink the story down a bit. Lop off some of the elements.

So I made the Great Storm the backdrop for Ernest, my very earnest scientist. It was a defining moment for him, but not The defining moment. I also got a chance to weave a lighthouse into my story—something I’d been wanting to do for a long time.

Octavius, well, there’s a story behind him, too. I was on a panel at our local ComicCon in Houston, with Cornelia Amiri, which focused on octopuses in steampunk fiction. It was so interesting that, well, Octavius popped into the story.

That happens sometimes.

And then there is Ernest and Prudence (who isn’t prudent in any way, shape or form) and of course, there are specters, because this is a paranormal story. And there’s even a kitchen sink. Couldn’t leave that just sitting on the fictional lawn, now could I?

I will admit to being very excited and nervous as readers get a chance to read Specters. I had so much fun writing, of course, I want everyone to love it. Haha This is a great time to buy it because it will release all by itself next year, but not at .99.

If you get a chance, I hope you’ll stop by and let me know what you think. Even if you don’t like it—though I’d be okay if you couched it in gentle terms. Haha

Perilously (and nervously) yours,

Pauline