Lindsey Kinsella

 Interview with Lindsey Kinsella

Author of

The Lazarus Taxa

 

 Please tell me a little about your current work in progress.

My next book is quite the departure from my first—hopping genres from sci-fi to fantasy. The Heart of Pangaea follows a young girl on a quest through a world within her subconscious to find a cure for her sick mother. It’s an emotional story, but it’s also quirky and fun—I’ve really tried to inject a good dose of humour to balance things out.

Where did you get the idea for this book or series?

My primary inspiration for my current book, The Lazarus Taxa, stemmed from my love of natural history and paleontology. I felt there was a lack of diversity in how dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals are portrayed in popular media, and I wanted to bring a different, more up to date perspective to the world. The story of time travel, conspiracy and greed organically grew from that initial premise.

Do you write in more than one genre?

Yes! The only book I have currently available is sci-fi, but my current project is fantasy and I have plans to write some horror. I have an eclectic reading taste, and that filters through into my writing.

Tell me about something that you believe makes your writing unique or worthy of attention.

I think the blend of fiction and non-fiction is probably the most unique aspect of The Lazarus Taxa. I wanted to tell a good story as a priority, but I also wanted the reader to learn a little about natural history. The book is spattered with Segway/inter-chapters which delve into evolution, extinction, and deep time.

 

Is there anything about your personal history or personality that manifests strongly in your writing?

As an engineer and an avid classic car enthusiast, I’m pretty mechanically minded. I think this filters through most obviously when writing sci-fi as it often involves inventing fictional technologies. I think my background really helps me to make these grounded and believable.

What else would be helpful for readers to know about you?

While I like to build tension, emotion, and provide some insight into the science behind the science fiction, I also like to break it up with some humour. I like to make my readers laugh as much as I like to make them cry or hide behind the sofa!

Excluding your own work, what underrated author or book would you recommend that more people read? Why?

“The Mud Man” by Donna Marie West would be my choice. I discovered Donna as an editor first (she edited The Lazarus Taxa) but soon found she was also a rather talented author herself. The Mud Man is a fairly new release—I had the honour of reading an advanced reader copy before it was published—and it damn near brough me to tears. It tells the tale of a paleolithic mad who is revived after being trapped in permafrost for thousands of years, and how he struggles to adapt to modern life.

Which of your books do you most highly recommend? Why?

Well, for now, I only have the one available, so I will highly recommend The Lazarus Taxa!

Which break, event, decision, or fortuitous circumstance has helped you or your writing career the most?

COVID lockdown, strangely. As a full-time naval architect, parent of two, restorer of cars, and organizer of events—there wasn’t a whole lot of time for much else. However, first lock down meant I could no longer do the latter (most years I organize car shows during the summer months) and freed up some time to sit down and write. I genuinely doubt I’d have even started if not for that time.

What question do you wish you would get asked more often?

I’d love to be asked more questions about the specifics of the book, but I can never answer them without giving away spoilers! I guess that’s the nature of a mystery-format novel.

Do you have a catch-phrase or quote that you like? What is it? And why do you choose it?

One I saw recently has stuck with me.

“Days before Wilbur Wright flew, he was just the latest man to crash.”

It’s a little reminder that failure is part of the process and I think it applies to writing too. I don’t think many authors nail it on their first draft.

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Thanks to Lindsey for participating.

In my own Sisyphean endeavor against the blank screen, I've budged the boulder almost to the summit. I completed another short story yesterday. I'll review it tomorrow and send it off to my Skirmish Team for corrections and critique.

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Speaking of great stories, don't forget to enjoy these two flash fiction winners by Susan Johnson and Marica Bernstein.