Author Interview: Myra McEntire

Everyone please welcome Myra McEntire, author of Hourglass, a young adult novel about a seventeen-year old girl who sees people who shouldn’t be there. These apparitions have haunted her since her parents’ death, and all she wants is for them to go away so she can be normal. In a last ditch effort, her brother brings in a consultant, Michael Weaver, a man who might change not only her future, but possibly her past.

1. I love the entire world and the logic behind it that you created. I love the fact that your novel is a contemporary time travel. You don’t see that often. It was a really unique way to look at time travel. How did you initially get the idea for this novel?

Thank you! It started as a prompt for a writing group. I wrote up to the part where Em goes into her room and sees Jack, and asks herself how Jack knew her name. I was working on something else, but I couldn’t stop wondering WHY DID HE KNOW HER NAME? I came back to the story, and I knew I didn’t want him to be a ghost, so that’s how the rip happened. That led to the time travel.

2. How hard was it to play by the rules you’d created? Did they evolve as you wrote, or did you always know how the time travel would work and made your story to fit with those rules?

The rules were always pretty close to they are now. As I learned more about time travel and did research on time slips, I saw how I wanted the story to work. I have a ton of research, and looking back, it’s a little wacky how the trail of research fits together.

3. I really liked Emerson. She was a strong character but she still had her flaws as well as fears to overcome. As a reader I really got attached to her. How hard/easy was she to write? What was the biggest challenge you faced writing her?

Aw, thank you for saying that, and for seeing her the way I wanted people to! She was easy to write in a way because I explored her character as I drafted. I wasn’t on a deadline, wasn’t agented, and I was basically playing! So she evolved slowly, and I always knew what she ultimately wanted. (And we have the same sassy mouth.) The biggest challenge was keeping her from throwing herself at Michael. Oh, the deleted kissing scenes.

4. I know there’s a sequel coming. Can you tell us anything about it?

Timepiece is out June 12, and it’s from Kaleb’s point of view. I knew he would be next, because he had a lot to say as I was writing Emerson’s story. I love how many readers grew attached to him. Kaleb was never an option for Emerson, just a temptation that confirmed what she really wanted. Two people that broken as a couple would be a complete train wreck! He has a lot in store for him in Timepiece, and they’ll all deal with Em’s choice to break the rules at the end of Hourglass. The rips start changing …….. 😀

5. Do you have a favorite time travel novel? Did any time travel in particular inspire you to write your own?

I am a really big Doctor Who fan, and I read Diana Gabaldon’s books when I was younger. I really didn’t intend to write a time travel. It was kind of accidental!

6. And finally, because we’re always interested to hear what others are reading, what’s currently on your to read list?

I am reading A Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson, Everneath by Brodi Ashton, and I have Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock in the pipeline. I’m also reading a bio of Catherine the Great, and The War of Art, which is an amazing book on craft.

Thank you Myra! I look forward to Timepiece!