A Goodreads user
asked
Jodi Taylor:
Later in the series (I'm reading "No Time Like the Past") it seems that historians interact a lot with contemporaries, whereas in the first book, History would zap them if they tried to interfere with the course of events. Is this because when Max nearly dies and Mrs Partridge dumps her into a parallel world, the rules about interaction have changed?
Jodi Taylor
Hi.
Sorry for the delay. I did mean to get back to you before this, but some of my characters were rather overtaken by events.
To answer your question -
This situation came about because of my complete failure to plan ahead.
I never meant to write a series. I wrote Just One Damned Thing as a one off. Initially, they were all going to die at the end so saying they shouldn't interact seemed a safe bet.
As I worked my way through the book, however, it dawned on me I might have enough material for another book. And then maybe even a trilogy.
However, although I'd said they were supposed to keep interaction to a minimum, it was apparent the books weren't going to be very exciting if all they ever did was just turn up somewhere and watch.
By this time, Max, Peterson and Markham were just about bursting out of every book and clamouring to get involved anyway, so I made a decision to increase the amount of interaction a little at a time.
I introduced them to Mary, Queen of Scots in A Symphony of Echoes and that seemed to go quite well so I just took it from there.
I hadn't actually thought about using Max's parallel world as a reason - good thought!
Hope this answers your question.
Sorry for the delay. I did mean to get back to you before this, but some of my characters were rather overtaken by events.
To answer your question -
This situation came about because of my complete failure to plan ahead.
I never meant to write a series. I wrote Just One Damned Thing as a one off. Initially, they were all going to die at the end so saying they shouldn't interact seemed a safe bet.
As I worked my way through the book, however, it dawned on me I might have enough material for another book. And then maybe even a trilogy.
However, although I'd said they were supposed to keep interaction to a minimum, it was apparent the books weren't going to be very exciting if all they ever did was just turn up somewhere and watch.
By this time, Max, Peterson and Markham were just about bursting out of every book and clamouring to get involved anyway, so I made a decision to increase the amount of interaction a little at a time.
I introduced them to Mary, Queen of Scots in A Symphony of Echoes and that seemed to go quite well so I just took it from there.
I hadn't actually thought about using Max's parallel world as a reason - good thought!
Hope this answers your question.
More Answered Questions
Gareth Howells
asked
Jodi Taylor:
Hi Jodi - I have read 7 of the Chronicles books and I've bought Doing Time recently and I just wondered, is it quite "stand alone" as I haven't finished the Chronicles series yet. Also, how do you think they differ? I know the new trilogy is about the Time Police, but is the tone different? Love the books and can't wait to read more. Thanks.
Su
asked
Jodi Taylor:
Hi Jodi. I just finished rereading all of the St Mary's and Time Police books - I decided to reread after reading C of C and starting some friends on the books. I love the whole series. The two questions I have for you at the moment are: (1) do you see the Time Police series as YA? (2) I've heard you say Jodi Taylor is a pen name. Can I ask what your real name is? Is that too personal?
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