My special guest today is New Zealand author, Jane Beckenham. Jane writes for Linden Bay Romance, Treble Heart Books, and she has recently sold books to Red Rose Publishing and Cerridwen Press. Jane loves the colour yellow, loves pavlova, and family and friends. Her family are avid vintage car enthusiasts. She spends her days writing novels and trying to ignore the housework.
As long as I have known Jane she’s had a fascination with time travel and that’s what she’s discussing today.
Jane is also giving away a download of He’s The One to one lucky person. All you need to do to go into the draw is answer the following question: What is the hero’s name in He’s the One? Email your answer with a subject line of “blog competition” to neiljane @ihug. co.nz (no spaces) and you’re in to win. The contest closes on Sunday 10th of February 2008 and the winner will be notified on the following day.
WOULD YOU LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND?
By Jane Beckenham
History hooks time travel readers, a chance to experience life in another time. It sounds romantic, but in reality isn’t. Who wants to deal with…nature’s ablutions in the 1500s without the soft touch of 2ply, or the plague without super strength antibiotics.
Yesterday I attended my local romance chapter meeting. A question was put… What is a romance story? One answer rang true “A story where the hero and heroine NEED to be together.” There is only that one person for them. Forever.
It’s exactly the same in a travel romance. The characters need to be together, despite having to leave behind everything they’ve ever known.
Therefore, when a writer begins the journey of writing her characters stories for a time travel, there are aspects they must first contend with.
How to get the time traveler back, or forward, and make it believable? How to ensure they don’t get beheaded for indecent exposure in a miniskirt on arrival. This is the very problem I had when writing Woman of Valor. Samantha and hero Josh were catapulted back to ancient Jude. Problem was Sam was…well put it this way, there was nothing covering her knees, let alone her ankles.
For example…Sam couldn’t work out what she was supposed to do. Did they think she was extra and should react in some way? The thought cheered her and she grinned back at the still screeching woman who wore a weirdo costume, swathed in layers down to her calves.
“Zona!” The woman shouted. Her face was barely inches away from Sam’s and her foul breath made Sam draw back. (Zona is Hebrew for whore!)
Going back in time a character might think they’re on a movie set like Sam did and you the author, could have a lot of fun with that. What about when they first realize they’re back in time? Can they scramble back the same way? Do they know how they arrived? Do they want to go back? The answers to these questions will change as their NEEDS change.
Could you stay behind, leave everything? I believe that the character who ‘moves through centuries’ must be alone in their own time, otherwise it’s more of a missing person file.
Also guilt can get in the way. Would you leave family behind for the one you desperately love, leave them never knowing, always wondering what happened to you?
Apart from Dr Who’s Tardis, there are varying ways to get your characters shooting across time. Portals and comets, a solar eclipse, a mirror, a painting, a catacomb or mausoleum which I used in Love in Waiting which was recently contracted by Cerridwen Press. Any ancient object can be used. Jewelry, a mask, something which links past and future. In Be My Valentine I used storms at sea, which linked it to pirates, plus by using the actual history of Jamaica where a massive earthquake took place in the 1600s my characters had to race against time. Try connecting characters via dream.
Now all you’ve got to do is dream yourself, and you too can travel in time…but the question is, would you want to stay there?
Visit Jane’s website or join her newsletter or read her blog at Myspace.
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February 5th, 2008 at 4:03 am · Link
I love time travel – would not hesitate a second if the Tardis came and swept me away. Leaving freinds and family would be wrenching though, so I suppose that’s why so many time travelers in books and movies are alone in the world. Except Rose, (Dr. Who’s Rose) and she kept coming back.
I thought Diana Gabaldon did the whole ‘leaving the family behind’ well in her books.
The best thing would be the Tardis – as it can return!
February 5th, 2008 at 4:03 am · Link
Oh – forgot to say I LOVE that cover!!
February 5th, 2008 at 8:42 am · Link
Oh, I love meeting new authors! More books to buy! Woohoo!
February 5th, 2008 at 1:22 pm · Link
I would love to time travel, but I don’t think I’ll stay there. Rome was pretty advanced in many aspects (baths, drool) but the role of women was way too restricted, and Mediaeval hygiene … Let’s say I like tampons, thank you very much.
But go there and visit some important events – what great way to do research.
Shelley, I have another part of my Aelius Rufus Visits the Future blog series up, btw. Time travel the other way round.
February 5th, 2008 at 1:34 pm · Link
I loved reading this! It’s great! I would definitely love to travel through time to the old west, and yes, I would stay! :)
Cia
February 5th, 2008 at 1:34 pm · Link
Gabriele, I saw that on my blog feeds. I’ll be visiting later today!
February 5th, 2008 at 2:36 pm · Link
Thanks Sam, glad you like the cover. I wanted something light and flrity. And you’re right being able to come back is essential – for peace of mind at least. But the trick is finding out HOW TO GET BACK! That’s the scary part.
Jane Beckenham
February 5th, 2008 at 2:38 pm · Link
Grabriele, you’re on the mark about visitng important events. In Be My Valentine, Dave and Tyler are witness to slavery and slave auctions, see the destruction of Port Royal which was nicknamed Sin City. Lots of adventure!
Jane Beckenham
February 5th, 2008 at 2:39 pm · Link
ooh, i forgot to say too, than in Love In Waiting (pending title) recently contracted by Cerridwen Press, Henry 8th and Anne Boleyn are present, and getting to know Henry was rather fun, if not scary trying to hold onto one’s head!
Jane Beckenham
February 5th, 2008 at 2:51 pm · Link
Hi Jane and Shelley,
Time travel would be an amazing adventure. Don’t know if I would stay or come back to my time.
February 5th, 2008 at 2:52 pm · Link
Time travel- a fascinating concept going backwards because it enhances our natural superiority, apart from the shock of arrival.
Going forward is more problematic for the writer and requires the construction of a believable future and puts the lead character at a definite disadvantage. (Imagine one of your ancient Judeans coping with midtown New York…or even Auckland)
I think I’d prefer to do it in my imagination rather than in reality.
Amy
February 5th, 2008 at 2:52 pm · Link
Jane, I write plain historical fiction (and Fantasy) and I’d really have some questions for the guys back then.
Tacitus is so unreliable as source.
So if I could go back, watch the Varus battle, interview Arminius and return to the safety of my working room, it would be nice.
February 5th, 2008 at 2:57 pm · Link
Amy, I have some fun with a series of blog posts where I put a Roman soldier into our time, seing the remains of the Hadrian’s Wall as ‘tourist’.
But boy, does one have to think about all the stuff a Roman would NOT take for granted.
February 5th, 2008 at 3:11 pm · Link
Yes bringing them back to the future (LOL) is something out of the ordinary. I did this in Love In Waiting…imagine the character from the past seeing electricity, running water, hot water (on tap – pardon the pun), flushing toilets! Cars, planes. The list can go on and really hightlights how our world has changed. But whether they stay, or go, really is up to the character’s need. Their NEED for the one they love. Can love transcend the barriers of time? Sandra Hill has done several Viking stories with characters coming, and staying, forward.
By the way…thanks for the comments on He’s The One’s cover. This is actually one of my contemporary books, a recent release, though Love in Waiting, Be My Valentine and Woman of Valor are TTs.
Jane
February 5th, 2008 at 3:25 pm · Link
Lol, my posts are only a fun way to teach some history of the Hadrian’s Wall. No love story, I’m afraid.
And I won’t add any time travel elements to those, they’re difficult enough to write as subplots in ‘normal’ books.
February 5th, 2008 at 3:41 pm · Link
Time travel is not my favorite genre, but I do enjoy a well written one, occasionally.
February 5th, 2008 at 3:50 pm · Link
I couldnt leave my life as it is…i would miss hubby and kids way too much. but if i didnt have them for love i would time travel…after all love is worth anything
February 5th, 2008 at 3:52 pm · Link
Estella, for me, Sandra Hill and Lyn Kurland introduced me to time travel books, and then of course there is Dianna Gabaldon. I love the whole concept of a love through time, the trials and tribulations both characters must face for their love. I love that the love story is intermingled with history. In Woman of Valor, they traveled back to ancient Judea and the time of the Romans. In the book, and for me which was particularly gratifying, I was able to bring my own particular memories of Masada and Jerusalem, of the landscape and setting along with the history of the period. But hey, I love a good contemporary too. There’s nothing like a hot hero riding a hog!
jane
Jane
February 5th, 2008 at 4:30 pm · Link
Masada, like modern Israel, is a matter of perspective. My own sympathies lie with Flavius Silva’s engineer constructing the ramp and his logistics command which kept the campaign supplied with food and slaves.
Viewed from the ground, it must have been a daunting prospect.
But, you are right. We are righting romances and are entitled to view it from love’s eyes rather than historical fact.
Amy
February 5th, 2008 at 4:33 pm · Link
PS
That wasn’t a misspelling!
February 5th, 2008 at 6:00 pm · Link
Jane, I love the premises of your novels. The ms I’ve just finished polishing is a time travel romance and my heroine tried everything to find a way to return to her own time. Then she fell in love with the hero, and made the decision to stay in his time. As if I’d let things be *that* easy for them…!
ooh and Sam. if the Tardis dropped by with David Tennant (!!) I would definitely have a hard time saying no to HIM!
February 5th, 2008 at 6:04 pm · Link
In theory the idea of time traveling sounds fine. There are definitely places I’d like to visit. Like Cia, the wild west is a place I’d like to visit and England during the 18th century. I’ve thought about this a lot and come to the conclusion that I’d miss all my beloved gadgets. And I do like the odd chocolate bar or two. I might be able to find an acceptable glass of wine but I think I’d be out of luck with my trim latte. Yes, a visit would be fun but I’d like to return home.
February 5th, 2008 at 7:06 pm · Link
Nice time to visit but I wouldn’t want to stay there…. I love time travels and I’d be thrilled to actually go back in time to see some famous events, but I definitely wouldn’t want to stay there. For one thing, I don’t speak the language(s) and for another, I’m not into primitive toilets. :)
February 5th, 2008 at 8:40 pm · Link
I love your books and good luck on your new release
February 5th, 2008 at 9:23 pm · Link
Christina, thanks, Glad you like them.
And yes, you’re right, never make it easy for them!
February 5th, 2008 at 9:25 pm · Link
Hey Shelley,
Sandra Hill’s Desperado is a cowboy kina time travel tale, which i loved.
Jane Beckenham
February 5th, 2008 at 9:27 pm · Link
Cynthya, i just had a chuckle about the primitive toilets. Don’t think you have to go back in time to get primitive in the potty! The worst toilet i ever went (and yes I had to use it) was in Russia when we were adopting our daughters. You could smell the toilet at 50 yards! I won’t go into details but it was hold your breath and hope you aim straight.
Jane
February 5th, 2008 at 9:32 pm · Link
Tameka,
Thanks so much
Jane Beckenham
February 6th, 2008 at 2:20 am · Link
Jane, hasn’t Sandra Hill got a new time travel release out? I’m sure I’ve read the blurb somewhere during the last week. A Navy Seal or military man and a Viking heroine training with the military.
Thanks for being my guest today!!
February 6th, 2008 at 2:25 am · Link
She’s got Wild Jinx and Viking Unchained. Thanks for having me Shelley. I’ve had a lovely time and everyone has been so nice. Lots of replies too, to my competition. So just to everyone, don’t forget, you’ve still got a while, send in your entries to me and you’re in to win.
Now back to edits! oh joy!
Jane Beckenham
February 6th, 2008 at 1:29 pm · Link
Sexy cover, love the belt.
It would be a great experience to time travel, I’d do it in a second. I look at it as fate if it ever happened.
Hugs, Danette
February 6th, 2008 at 3:55 pm · Link
I would love to time travel, there are so many places I’ve read about in my historicals and I’d like to see them all but I wouldn’n want to stay, I’m too happy with my life right here.
February 6th, 2008 at 4:42 pm · Link
Danette,
glad you liked the cover. Have just ‘approved’ my new one for my next release through Red Rose Publishing… No Sex Necessary. It’s pretty fun and flirty and i’m really happy with it.
You’re right about fate. It can play a great part in our lives.
Jane Beckenham
February 6th, 2008 at 4:50 pm · Link
Eva, i had an interesting thought as i read your last post. What if…a character was really happy in her present world, and what if she /he was transported back in time, how would they cope knowing they may not be able to get back. It’s an interesting premise for a story! What would they do, how desperate would they be to find their way back, to do anything necessary (i.e. how low would they go to enable them to get back). Interesting…hm…..
Jane Beckenham
February 7th, 2008 at 1:35 pm · Link
Good luck on your book, bot I’m Trying to win the book. lol
February 10th, 2008 at 6:51 pm · Link
Announcing the winner of my guest blog competition
Larena Wirum
Congratulations – you’ve won a free download of HE’S THE ONE.
I’ll be emailing you directly as per your email address i have.
And to Shelley, thank you so much for having me, your visitors are a great bunch and lots of fun.
regards
Jane Beckenham