Hello, I’m Martinette Peters. I’m a character in a new series of books called Since The Sirens. I was told we are doing something different here. Instead of being interviewed about my part in the books, I’m supposed to interview the author. So here goes.
1. Marty: I’m old fashioned, as you probably know. I don’t own a computer or have one of those new-fangled tablets. Liam shows me his all the time and I just don’t get it. I get my books from the local library. Do you have any fears about being published only on a computer as opposed to good quality paper?
E.E.: Thank you Marty. Excellent question. I know you think you are too old to start using these things, but many people your age are in fact using tablets and computers so it isn’t something I’m really worried about. I have no doubt if you wanted to do so you would have no problem getting up to speed on digital format. Do I have any desire to be published in print? You bet. It would be great. Who doesn’t want to walk down to the bookstore, or your library, and see their name on the spine of a book sitting on the shelf? But it isn’t something that defines my writing.
2. Marty: How many books do you have planned for Since The Sirens? I really enjoy playing my character. I’m hoping we can do many more books.
E.E.: I have to say, it has been a pleasure working with you Marty. Your character is 104 years old but there is a scene in book I where your character has a vision that suggests she could live to be 120 years old. From a science standpoint, even in 2015, there are advances in medical science which suggest we can greatly extend lifespans in the not too distant future. Perhaps the alternate reality of your character’s world has already advanced some of those sciences? As for how many books are coming, I think that depends a lot on how much I enjoy writing them. I’ve finished book III, as you know, and there are so many questions left open even after writing three books (300,000 words total) I could see another trilogy easily. On the other hand, if the mood struck me to write other material, I’d be happy with just this simple trilogy ending where it does today. But right now I want to push out these first three books and then see what happens.
3. Marty: Oh that is great dear. I hope you keep going. Oh, my next question is how long have you been writing?
E.E.: I’m new to writing, truth be told. My career the past 20 years has been in IT, and I have a Master’s degree in Geography, so naturally writing about zombies was the natural progression of my life. In 2014 I woke up one day and told myself I wanted to write a book about zombies. As you know Marty, your character was based on my own grandmother who passed on last summer.
Marty: I know, I’m so sorry to be based on someone who is deceased, but I also consider it an honor you would select me.
E.E.: Oh, no problem. You play her perfectly. The thing that got me started was writing a short story which later became the first book in Since The Sirens. I finished book I during the NaNoWriMo in 2014 and just keep going with book II and book III. When I was layed off in August 2015 it gave me lots of time to edit all 3 and push them out to Amazon (coming November 2015). During that time I’ve also written several short stories and I have ideas for several other novels in the Since The Sirens world. Not sequels, but parallel stories. Some take place at the beginning, others months or years after the sirens. Lots of material if I can make the time to write them!
4. Marty: What are some of your favorite books, outside of your own?
E.E.: Oh don’t be silly about my books! One of my favorite books is Earth Abides by George R. Stewart. Written in the late 40’s it takes place after a massive plague wipes out the world, it is one of the earliest examples of the type of story I like to read. The thing that makes it different is that it documents the breakdown both of society and the world in general. As a geographer I can relate with the main character who also fancies himself as a geographer. It does a great job of world building and is something I aspire to emulate in my writing. Earth Abides seeps into my Since The Sirens books in a few important ways. My way of saluting that title. Other books I’ve enjoyed lately; Fahrenheit 451. The Stand. Zombie Fallout. I’ve also perused Cthulhu literature.
5. Marty: Why name it Since The Sirens?
E.E.: Oh, this is easy. I started a short story last year with words something along the lines of “It has been 15 years since the sirens…” and I had the “ah-ha!” moment at how the name could fit well to describe the entire world I was creating. I try to start every story in this world with the line “X days/months/years since the sirens.” It is a visual clue to my world.
6. Marty: Do you know how the zombie plague really got started? I’ve wondered that every day I’ve been working on this project with you.
E.E.: Ah, that’s the big question isn’t it? Was it caused by the government? By an evil corporation? A religious cult? Do I as the writer need to know the answer to this question? I hope not, because even I’m not sure EXACTLY how it happened. You know, I feel like it works better if I don’t have all the answers because then I don’t get too far down the tunnel which will reveal everything. Maybe I’d give away clues that I otherwise wouldn’t if I didn’t know. After book III I have some threads out there which could lead to an answer, but there are many possibilities left to explore. And no Marty, as much as I love you, I’m not going to tell you.
Marty: Oh, I’d never ask…(giggles)
7. Marty: Last question for now. Can you tell the readers what other projects you are working on? Any other genres?
E.E.: I have two books in mind–I mentioned them earlier–for parallel stories in the STS world. One book covers the months before the world collapsed. Unlike the cause of the plague, I have a very clear idea how the world worked just prior to the collapse. I know the people most responsible for letting it all get out of hand. The other book takes place a couple years after the collapse. There is a period of time where humanity teeters on the brink of extinction after the collapse, disease, war, famine, and of course the zombies. It makes me wonder if humanity actually could survive long term after the zombies spill out into the world. I may pick one of these to do for NaNoWriMo 2015. Not sure I’m interested in other genres yet. Zombies and worldwide collapse are eternally fascinating to me. I don’t think I’d translate well to something lighter, although I admit I do have some ideas for children’s books (happy books, not dark stuff).
Marty: Thank you for your time Mr. Isherwood. We wish you continued success and if I may be so bold I hope to see more books in the Since The Sirens world.