Behind the Scenes of
1. Out of Time
Louise,
Thank you for your wonderful review of the story! I’m so glad you liked it! I always worry when I write a story using a real person that they won’t like how I’ve portrayed them. But since you called it ‘a cracker of a story,’ I’m assuming that wasn’t a problem. *grin*
Ch. 1 – It starts off well, I think, by talking about the way things were done in Georgian times. As you said, it becomes important later in the story to know how the people think in that time period. And of course, it’s all your fault that I even started thinking about Straker in period clothing! If you hadn’t been talking about putting him in the Victorian era, I wouldn’t have envisioned him even earlier, during my favorite period of history. After all, nothing can compete with the long hair and exquisite clothes the men wore then! And Straker dressed that way! Oh, yes. Definitely a drool factor of 10+!
Alec is the perfect best friend, teasing his buddy about his outfit. And Straker finds it humorous too, mostly because Alec does. They really are a great team. My only sadness in writing this saga is that they are separated throughout. And Lars had to be introduced as though he’d been around forever, which wasn’t easy, seeing that he wasn’t in the series. So, yeah. I can see that it made you wonder at first why I brought him up.
And Ginny’s reaction was what mine would have been – wouldn’t yours have been similar? I mean, good God! Sexy just multiplied itself by 10! And don’t deny it, because I know how much fun you had drawing that sketch! Which was so perfect! I still find myself staring at it at odd times. Super yummy!
It was fun to find a metal that fit what I needed it for. I love Wikipedia, don’t you? It sure makes research easier. And the chapter ends with a major surprise. Caught your attention, didn’t it?
Ch. 2 – I thought it would be difficult to show their reactions to his disappearance, but really it flowed nicely. Sometimes I surprise myself. Glad you found it believable. And Ford’s reactions were fun to show as well, especially when they get an intact UFO to study.
Then we find Straker – alive but not where he’s supposed to be. Yeah, I kept the clues that all was not right subtle, because I wanted the reader to be getting a bit uneasy (just like The Man.) And that pond! Didn’t it sound creepy? My daughter really enjoyed the gothic elements of this story. She loves the old gothic suspense stuff (just like her mom!)
And I have to tell you that I laughed all the way through the scene with Alec and Ginny talking about telling Henderson! Ginny all practical, and Alec in denial. It was hilarious to write!
Ch. 3 – Yep. We find Straker having worked everything out to his satisfaction, then – here comes Louise! I love shocking him, and bringing up the defunct town would do that, I think. Isn’t Devilsgate a cool name? And so very gothic! I love the painting I found of Walpole’s Strawberry Hill. I’d heard it described before, but a picture’s worth a thousand words. It was the perfect gothic setting for the manor. And I love the name Claringbold! Thanks for sharing some of your family history with me for this story! It makes it more fun!
And Louise takes care of him. Good for you, girl! Feeding him, giving him coffee. Yes. The conversation is so casual, yet gives us a glimpse into how difficult her life has been. I don’t mention her mother. It’s odd. I was very attached to my own mother growing up, hating my dad as I did. So it’s odd that I rarely write my characters with living mothers. Don’t you think it’s odd? Or am I fulfilling a fantasy by making their fathers really special? It’s hard to say. Anyway, we learn some interesting background details about Louise here, including a small reference to her brother, who we will learn more about in a later story.
Then we’re off to Henderson’s office! Very different conversation here. As you said, all sharp comments and sarcasm. I love Jackson, so I have to bounce him off Alec every chance I get (since Alec hates him.) It’s just more fun that way. And I hope by the end of this story that the reader has discerned why Straker didn’t discuss his plans with Alec. As Jackson comments: would he have listened if he’d tried? But yeah, it’s a tough time for Alec.
Ch. 4 – And you get to remove his shoes for him! You go, girl! I had fun introducing the gothic horror elements to the story: late night, warm fire, and a spine-tingling horror tale. Straker is just the right person to put into this situation, because of course he won’t believe it! And he wouldn’t automatically equate it with the aliens. After all, he doesn’t know this is a UFO story! *grin* Did you like the part where she tells him he’s maddening? And he wouldn’t see that either. But I just had to have the hand kiss! And we get a glimpse into his feelings about you. Ooh-la-la! No. He’s not indifferent at all!
I think featherbeds are wonderful, but my hubby hates them. So it was fun to have Straker find them comfy. And yes, servants really do prefer everyone to stay in their proper place. But Straker, being American as well as from the future, wouldn’t get that. And we see that he still hasn’t put two and two together yet, even though the reader hopefully has a clue by now that aliens are involved.
Then we meet Jake! I had a good time picking out his car for him! I realize that mini porsches weren’t in existence in the late ‘80's, but who cares? It suits him! And using Johnny Depp as my model for Jake worked wonderfully, I think. Such a different dynamic than Straker, but still a very intense person. I had so much fun with him in HQ that I decided to leave Straker in Georgian England – at least for a while yet. I want to get to enjoy how SHADO is run by Jake.
I’m glad you thought that moment with the Voiceprint identifier was emotional. I didn’t want to make it melodramatic, but I wanted it to be a charged moment nonetheless. If it worked for you, then I’m satisfied that I did it right. I also wanted the reader to understand from Jake’s reaction to Straker’s studio office that the staff at HQ weren’t the only ones to feel Straker’s loss. Jake knew and cared about him too.
Then we shift to Straker and straight razors! I loved playing with the contrast between the time periods and hope this comes across to the reader. The Georgian era was such a slower, more relaxed time, for all its lack of conveniences. And the present, for all its luxuries, is so hurried and stressed. And we see that Straker has finally figured out how the horror tale could be true. If you add aliens into the mix.
Ch. 5 – Louise is so distressed with his presence in the wagon! Well, since we find out later how her husband reacted in similar circumstances, I hope it becomes clear why she didn’t want him there. But he handles it all very calmly, even when it becomes a bit much. I’m glad that you didn’t find the scene too gory. My daughter thought it was awful, but she has a very weak stomach, so I can’t take her opinion as a normal one. I kept all the grossness to an absolute minimum, but I suppose it is a gory subject, no matter how you say it.
Then we’re back at HQ, only we haven’t left the studio office yet! I had to have a scene where Alec and Jake sort things out, and it was important to have it before they meet the rest of the staff. As least, Jake would consider it important. I hope the reader is beginning to see how insightful he is by this point, especially in his handling of Alec. And Alec shows his willingness to cooperate by squaring his shoulders – and getting on with things. Good old Alec!
The scene in the village had two reasons. One, I wanted the reader to see her husband’s reaction when he realizes that his missing wife is dead. It makes her more real that way. And the loss more tragic. And two, I wanted to show how inured the village is to these attacks by now. And Straker is appalled and wondering what can be done to stop it. It’s always a good thing to get him thinking!
Yes, I think it was a very ‘Keith’ thing to do too to have him welcoming Jake to HQ. And since I have plans for Ford, it served me well to have them be friends. Then of course, we have Ginny’s reaction. Yeah, she’s not going to welcome anyone who’s not her beloved commander. But this guy? The very opposite of Straker? Never! You’re right. Sparks are gonna fly between these two!
The short scene in the study at the manor was to give my characters time to deal with the events of the morning. I had Straker reading Wordsworth, who is one of my favorite romantic poets, even though he hadn’t published anything yet in the 1780's. One of my all-time favorite poems is Wordsworth’s "Daffodils," and since it suited Straker’s mood here, I used it. The time police may rebel, but I’m sure that the rest of the readers won’t mind my taking poetic license here.
When I thought of someone else taking over Straker’s HQ office, I wanted to show how different they were in temperament without making a big deal about any of the items in the office. So the mural worked fine to make my point. Besides being totally hilarious that it made him seasick!
I had a lot of fun writing the scene with Jake, Ginny, and Alec in the HQ office. I’m so glad that you enjoyed reading it! And appreciated their diverse reactions! Ginny was the most fun to write, since it’s obvious that she doesn’t think much of the new commander. But he shows her by the end of the conversation! And bringing in Timelash was cool too, since she’d be bound to still have nightmares about that episode. By the way, Alec’s comment about the aliens sending Straker ‘somewhere in time’ has reference to a really lovely romantic fantasy movie that I’ve always loved that is called by that name. It stars Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour – and also deals with time travel. It ends really sad, but also happy. I’m always bawling by the end, no matter how many times I watch it. But then, you know I’m a hopeless romantic!
Then we’re back at the manor, and Straker discusses things with Louise. He’s such a gentleman, and I love it that putting him in this time period allows that part of his nature to be shown so clearly. And his thoughts about her courage when she tells him how her husband died – well. He’s hooked for sure now. There’s no way he could resist a strong woman like Louise! *grin*
Ch. 6 – Then on to a lighter note the next day, when she offers to let him ride one of her horses. That was a delightful scene to write. As well as Ginny and Jake’s scene back at HQ, when she’s upset because he touched her computers! And we see that Jake’s no fool. If it makes her happy to be in charge of the computers, he’s not going to argue! I love a sensible man!
Then we’re back to the ride and the hilltop where they talk. And he tells her where he’s really from – and she isn’t all that surprised! Way to go, Louise! Keep the great man off balance! *grin* As you noticed, we see from his description of the future just how empty his life has been up until now. And the subtle way she finds out if he has a wife back home – very cool move! Then he suddenly realizes how perfect she is for him! I hope it didn’t take the reader that long to figure that one out! Of course, he has to be noble (when she could care less!) But he wouldn’t be Straker if he wasn’t, now would he? But she still puts him in his place, which I thought was such a hoot!
Epilogue – Yeah. The epilogue was short and sweet. We see that he really doesn’t have any idea how he’s going to get home again. And is a bit worried because that doesn’t bother him so much. Yeah. He’ll eventually work his way around to not wanting to go back at all. At least, that’s the way he seems to want this series to go. We’ll see how it progresses from here. But for now, he stays where he’s at. (Glad you loved the last line!)
I can’t wait to see what trouble you and Straker get up to in the next story! So I guess I’ll have to start writing it, won’t I?
Love,
Denise
Thank you for your wonderful review of the story! I’m so glad you liked it! I always worry when I write a story using a real person that they won’t like how I’ve portrayed them. But since you called it ‘a cracker of a story,’ I’m assuming that wasn’t a problem. *grin*
Ch. 1 – It starts off well, I think, by talking about the way things were done in Georgian times. As you said, it becomes important later in the story to know how the people think in that time period. And of course, it’s all your fault that I even started thinking about Straker in period clothing! If you hadn’t been talking about putting him in the Victorian era, I wouldn’t have envisioned him even earlier, during my favorite period of history. After all, nothing can compete with the long hair and exquisite clothes the men wore then! And Straker dressed that way! Oh, yes. Definitely a drool factor of 10+!
Alec is the perfect best friend, teasing his buddy about his outfit. And Straker finds it humorous too, mostly because Alec does. They really are a great team. My only sadness in writing this saga is that they are separated throughout. And Lars had to be introduced as though he’d been around forever, which wasn’t easy, seeing that he wasn’t in the series. So, yeah. I can see that it made you wonder at first why I brought him up.
And Ginny’s reaction was what mine would have been – wouldn’t yours have been similar? I mean, good God! Sexy just multiplied itself by 10! And don’t deny it, because I know how much fun you had drawing that sketch! Which was so perfect! I still find myself staring at it at odd times. Super yummy!
It was fun to find a metal that fit what I needed it for. I love Wikipedia, don’t you? It sure makes research easier. And the chapter ends with a major surprise. Caught your attention, didn’t it?
Ch. 2 – I thought it would be difficult to show their reactions to his disappearance, but really it flowed nicely. Sometimes I surprise myself. Glad you found it believable. And Ford’s reactions were fun to show as well, especially when they get an intact UFO to study.
Then we find Straker – alive but not where he’s supposed to be. Yeah, I kept the clues that all was not right subtle, because I wanted the reader to be getting a bit uneasy (just like The Man.) And that pond! Didn’t it sound creepy? My daughter really enjoyed the gothic elements of this story. She loves the old gothic suspense stuff (just like her mom!)
And I have to tell you that I laughed all the way through the scene with Alec and Ginny talking about telling Henderson! Ginny all practical, and Alec in denial. It was hilarious to write!
Ch. 3 – Yep. We find Straker having worked everything out to his satisfaction, then – here comes Louise! I love shocking him, and bringing up the defunct town would do that, I think. Isn’t Devilsgate a cool name? And so very gothic! I love the painting I found of Walpole’s Strawberry Hill. I’d heard it described before, but a picture’s worth a thousand words. It was the perfect gothic setting for the manor. And I love the name Claringbold! Thanks for sharing some of your family history with me for this story! It makes it more fun!
And Louise takes care of him. Good for you, girl! Feeding him, giving him coffee. Yes. The conversation is so casual, yet gives us a glimpse into how difficult her life has been. I don’t mention her mother. It’s odd. I was very attached to my own mother growing up, hating my dad as I did. So it’s odd that I rarely write my characters with living mothers. Don’t you think it’s odd? Or am I fulfilling a fantasy by making their fathers really special? It’s hard to say. Anyway, we learn some interesting background details about Louise here, including a small reference to her brother, who we will learn more about in a later story.
Then we’re off to Henderson’s office! Very different conversation here. As you said, all sharp comments and sarcasm. I love Jackson, so I have to bounce him off Alec every chance I get (since Alec hates him.) It’s just more fun that way. And I hope by the end of this story that the reader has discerned why Straker didn’t discuss his plans with Alec. As Jackson comments: would he have listened if he’d tried? But yeah, it’s a tough time for Alec.
Ch. 4 – And you get to remove his shoes for him! You go, girl! I had fun introducing the gothic horror elements to the story: late night, warm fire, and a spine-tingling horror tale. Straker is just the right person to put into this situation, because of course he won’t believe it! And he wouldn’t automatically equate it with the aliens. After all, he doesn’t know this is a UFO story! *grin* Did you like the part where she tells him he’s maddening? And he wouldn’t see that either. But I just had to have the hand kiss! And we get a glimpse into his feelings about you. Ooh-la-la! No. He’s not indifferent at all!
I think featherbeds are wonderful, but my hubby hates them. So it was fun to have Straker find them comfy. And yes, servants really do prefer everyone to stay in their proper place. But Straker, being American as well as from the future, wouldn’t get that. And we see that he still hasn’t put two and two together yet, even though the reader hopefully has a clue by now that aliens are involved.
Then we meet Jake! I had a good time picking out his car for him! I realize that mini porsches weren’t in existence in the late ‘80's, but who cares? It suits him! And using Johnny Depp as my model for Jake worked wonderfully, I think. Such a different dynamic than Straker, but still a very intense person. I had so much fun with him in HQ that I decided to leave Straker in Georgian England – at least for a while yet. I want to get to enjoy how SHADO is run by Jake.
I’m glad you thought that moment with the Voiceprint identifier was emotional. I didn’t want to make it melodramatic, but I wanted it to be a charged moment nonetheless. If it worked for you, then I’m satisfied that I did it right. I also wanted the reader to understand from Jake’s reaction to Straker’s studio office that the staff at HQ weren’t the only ones to feel Straker’s loss. Jake knew and cared about him too.
Then we shift to Straker and straight razors! I loved playing with the contrast between the time periods and hope this comes across to the reader. The Georgian era was such a slower, more relaxed time, for all its lack of conveniences. And the present, for all its luxuries, is so hurried and stressed. And we see that Straker has finally figured out how the horror tale could be true. If you add aliens into the mix.
Ch. 5 – Louise is so distressed with his presence in the wagon! Well, since we find out later how her husband reacted in similar circumstances, I hope it becomes clear why she didn’t want him there. But he handles it all very calmly, even when it becomes a bit much. I’m glad that you didn’t find the scene too gory. My daughter thought it was awful, but she has a very weak stomach, so I can’t take her opinion as a normal one. I kept all the grossness to an absolute minimum, but I suppose it is a gory subject, no matter how you say it.
Then we’re back at HQ, only we haven’t left the studio office yet! I had to have a scene where Alec and Jake sort things out, and it was important to have it before they meet the rest of the staff. As least, Jake would consider it important. I hope the reader is beginning to see how insightful he is by this point, especially in his handling of Alec. And Alec shows his willingness to cooperate by squaring his shoulders – and getting on with things. Good old Alec!
The scene in the village had two reasons. One, I wanted the reader to see her husband’s reaction when he realizes that his missing wife is dead. It makes her more real that way. And the loss more tragic. And two, I wanted to show how inured the village is to these attacks by now. And Straker is appalled and wondering what can be done to stop it. It’s always a good thing to get him thinking!
Yes, I think it was a very ‘Keith’ thing to do too to have him welcoming Jake to HQ. And since I have plans for Ford, it served me well to have them be friends. Then of course, we have Ginny’s reaction. Yeah, she’s not going to welcome anyone who’s not her beloved commander. But this guy? The very opposite of Straker? Never! You’re right. Sparks are gonna fly between these two!
The short scene in the study at the manor was to give my characters time to deal with the events of the morning. I had Straker reading Wordsworth, who is one of my favorite romantic poets, even though he hadn’t published anything yet in the 1780's. One of my all-time favorite poems is Wordsworth’s "Daffodils," and since it suited Straker’s mood here, I used it. The time police may rebel, but I’m sure that the rest of the readers won’t mind my taking poetic license here.
When I thought of someone else taking over Straker’s HQ office, I wanted to show how different they were in temperament without making a big deal about any of the items in the office. So the mural worked fine to make my point. Besides being totally hilarious that it made him seasick!
I had a lot of fun writing the scene with Jake, Ginny, and Alec in the HQ office. I’m so glad that you enjoyed reading it! And appreciated their diverse reactions! Ginny was the most fun to write, since it’s obvious that she doesn’t think much of the new commander. But he shows her by the end of the conversation! And bringing in Timelash was cool too, since she’d be bound to still have nightmares about that episode. By the way, Alec’s comment about the aliens sending Straker ‘somewhere in time’ has reference to a really lovely romantic fantasy movie that I’ve always loved that is called by that name. It stars Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour – and also deals with time travel. It ends really sad, but also happy. I’m always bawling by the end, no matter how many times I watch it. But then, you know I’m a hopeless romantic!
Then we’re back at the manor, and Straker discusses things with Louise. He’s such a gentleman, and I love it that putting him in this time period allows that part of his nature to be shown so clearly. And his thoughts about her courage when she tells him how her husband died – well. He’s hooked for sure now. There’s no way he could resist a strong woman like Louise! *grin*
Ch. 6 – Then on to a lighter note the next day, when she offers to let him ride one of her horses. That was a delightful scene to write. As well as Ginny and Jake’s scene back at HQ, when she’s upset because he touched her computers! And we see that Jake’s no fool. If it makes her happy to be in charge of the computers, he’s not going to argue! I love a sensible man!
Then we’re back to the ride and the hilltop where they talk. And he tells her where he’s really from – and she isn’t all that surprised! Way to go, Louise! Keep the great man off balance! *grin* As you noticed, we see from his description of the future just how empty his life has been up until now. And the subtle way she finds out if he has a wife back home – very cool move! Then he suddenly realizes how perfect she is for him! I hope it didn’t take the reader that long to figure that one out! Of course, he has to be noble (when she could care less!) But he wouldn’t be Straker if he wasn’t, now would he? But she still puts him in his place, which I thought was such a hoot!
Epilogue – Yeah. The epilogue was short and sweet. We see that he really doesn’t have any idea how he’s going to get home again. And is a bit worried because that doesn’t bother him so much. Yeah. He’ll eventually work his way around to not wanting to go back at all. At least, that’s the way he seems to want this series to go. We’ll see how it progresses from here. But for now, he stays where he’s at. (Glad you loved the last line!)
I can’t wait to see what trouble you and Straker get up to in the next story! So I guess I’ll have to start writing it, won’t I?
Love,
Denise