A’s for Your Q’s

It’s the Tuesday after Labor Day. Today really has its own feel, doesn’t it? Summer is wrapping up, kids are back in school. I even saw some leaves getting some color. 

I’m in a weird nexus right now. The sequel to They’re Not Here to Save Us is out of my hands, for the time being, and in the hands of my editors. I couldn’t work on it if I wanted to.

I have a few projects that I would like to start, but they aren’t quite there yet. And neither am I. I am adjusting to a new work schedule and learning my new routine, so I don’t have the bandwidth to go full force into something new. 

So let’s answer some Frequently Asked Questions about They’re Not Here to Save Us

Question: Who are the Recruiters?

Answer: HA!

Question: Do you know who the Recruiters are?

Answer: Yes

Question: What caused the War and Blackout?

Answer: The War caused the Blackout. That’s all I can tell you.

Question: How did you come up with the names?

Answer: I get this question the most. I would like to say they just came to me, but that’s not true. I had to work at them. They came to in different ways. Jugger was easy. He’s quite literally a Juggernaut. Penny is the name of my dog, though dog Penny is nothing like Arla’s Penny. Okie and Tink were the names they gave each other. They hint at their playful relationships. Naming Kevlar was a fun exercise and it’s one I use more often now. It’s a combination of daydreaming and word association. Kevlar is cold and calculated and a military man. He’s hard and resilient. Like Kevlar. 

As for Catch-It . . . I think I’m going to keep that to myself.

Question: Who’s your favorite character?

Answer: Penny

Question: How did you choose from which characters’ perspective to tell the story?

Answer: There are two answers to this. First, I chose the characters that offered a unique perspective that was essential to the story. We needed someone to witness these events and I wanted only the best ones to do it. Without Radi, for example, whole parts of the story go untold. 

On the other hand, it was difficult and deliberate to exclude Jugger and Tink. We see different sides to these two characters throughout the story. At first they are mysterious and presented as antagonists. Then we learn that they are larger-than-life good guys (sort of). Then we learn that they have a human side. I didn’t want anyone in Jugger’s head. He is a force more than a man. That’s the way the people in his world see him. And he has accepted that role.

Question: Are there more Recruits?

Answer: Oh yeah

Question: Can you tell me anything about the sequel?

Answer: It takes place a couple of years after the first. You’ll get to meet a few more characters that could only exist in Arla.

Question: When does book two come out?

Answer: Next year (fingers crossed)

That ought to hold you over for a while. If you have any more questions, hit me up. If I can answer them I will.

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