Ask the Author: Kristin Bailey
Answered Questions (4)
Kristin Bailey
When I set out to write this trilogy I was thinking a lot about Harry Potter and how a lot of the fun of the books came from wishing we were all somehow magical and just missed our owl.
That got me thinking and eventually I realized we are magical. There is very little we can't do as a species through the power of science and engineering. We can extend life, end pain, go to the moon, and speak with people thousands of miles away as if they were right next to us.
I may not have gotten my owl, but I could have been an engineer if I had wanted to, and therefore the power of magic is in me too. So, since I set myself on a writerly instead of a more inventorly path, I decided to make this book my ode to the magic of engineering.
I did my best to give each invention a real-world physicality to it. All the clockwork inventions are run by clockwork. They have to be wound through various mechanisms. I wanted them to feel like you could find old abandoned amusements hidden away, and bring them back to life in our world.
That said, it's a challenge to make old technology feel surprising and magical, so my rule of thumb was, "The Amusementists could invent anything. I am not one, so I don't know how they did it, but anything was within their power of invention." And from there I played. It does take a little stretch of the imagination to believe these inventions were all real, but that is what makes them magical for me.
As for how were all of these things maintained? There are three actually equal branches to the Amusementist Order, though the inventors make a big deal of themselves. The Foundry makes up the second branch, responsible for taking the ideas of the Amusementists and bringing them into physical reality. They are the makers. The final branch is The Guild, a sworn group of men and women devoted to the logistics of the Order. They are the doers. They facilitate communication, upkeep, transportation, and most importantly, keeping the secret. The Guild members are just as important as either of the other two branches, and I enjoyed writing two such members in detail in book three. John Frank is now one of my favorite characters, and Gabrielle amuses me, because at every turn she is so regal and thoroughly unamused.
I hope you enjoy reading about them too.
That got me thinking and eventually I realized we are magical. There is very little we can't do as a species through the power of science and engineering. We can extend life, end pain, go to the moon, and speak with people thousands of miles away as if they were right next to us.
I may not have gotten my owl, but I could have been an engineer if I had wanted to, and therefore the power of magic is in me too. So, since I set myself on a writerly instead of a more inventorly path, I decided to make this book my ode to the magic of engineering.
I did my best to give each invention a real-world physicality to it. All the clockwork inventions are run by clockwork. They have to be wound through various mechanisms. I wanted them to feel like you could find old abandoned amusements hidden away, and bring them back to life in our world.
That said, it's a challenge to make old technology feel surprising and magical, so my rule of thumb was, "The Amusementists could invent anything. I am not one, so I don't know how they did it, but anything was within their power of invention." And from there I played. It does take a little stretch of the imagination to believe these inventions were all real, but that is what makes them magical for me.
As for how were all of these things maintained? There are three actually equal branches to the Amusementist Order, though the inventors make a big deal of themselves. The Foundry makes up the second branch, responsible for taking the ideas of the Amusementists and bringing them into physical reality. They are the makers. The final branch is The Guild, a sworn group of men and women devoted to the logistics of the Order. They are the doers. They facilitate communication, upkeep, transportation, and most importantly, keeping the secret. The Guild members are just as important as either of the other two branches, and I enjoyed writing two such members in detail in book three. John Frank is now one of my favorite characters, and Gabrielle amuses me, because at every turn she is so regal and thoroughly unamused.
I hope you enjoy reading about them too.
Kristin Bailey
I'm assuming that this question is for SHADOW OF THE WAR MACHINE. If that is the case, David does play a part in this story. I love David as a character, and I enjoy writing him, but he poses a very difficult dilemma for Meg. David is everything that she should want. He is handsome, intelligent, talented, rich, cultured, and titled. Unfortunately that means his is also very entitled.
The Victorian system has worked out very well for him, and so he doesn't question it. If Meg chooses to be with David everything she has will become his by default and be usurped into what is already his vast wealth and holdings. If she is to be an Amusementist, that will have to be weighed against the fact she is also now a countess with political pressures and high society expectations on her shoulders.
That puts Meg in a very difficult position. Could she handle those expectations? I'm certain she could. The question is, is that something she desires?
As for Oliver and Lucinda. They gradually back off in each book because they serve as mentors to Meg, and as she comes into her own power and sense of self, she needs them less. That said, both Lucinda and Oliver appear in this story, and their own personal story takes a new and exciting step forward that I really enjoyed writing.
The Victorian system has worked out very well for him, and so he doesn't question it. If Meg chooses to be with David everything she has will become his by default and be usurped into what is already his vast wealth and holdings. If she is to be an Amusementist, that will have to be weighed against the fact she is also now a countess with political pressures and high society expectations on her shoulders.
That puts Meg in a very difficult position. Could she handle those expectations? I'm certain she could. The question is, is that something she desires?
As for Oliver and Lucinda. They gradually back off in each book because they serve as mentors to Meg, and as she comes into her own power and sense of self, she needs them less. That said, both Lucinda and Oliver appear in this story, and their own personal story takes a new and exciting step forward that I really enjoyed writing.
Kristin Bailey
I really hope that one day they will be available as audiobooks, but unfortunately, control over that aspect of the books is out of my hands as the author. If the books do become available in audio format, I'll be sure to announce the news on my website.
Kristin Bailey
Ooh, I'd hate to give away spoilers. I will say this. Meg has grown up a lot by the third book in the series, and the prospect of marriage plays a significant role in Meg's life. The problem is, she has worked so hard to become an Amusementist, and she doesn't want to jeopardize that. However, the world seems bent on ruining her reputation, and circumstance could force her into marriage if she's not careful.
It's important to remember that at this time, women had few legal rights, and marrying anyone would mean handing over her potential fortune and legal control of her affairs to her husband. That is not something Meg takes lightly anymore. I'll give Will credit, because he realized this social pressure in the first book and took it seriously.
He has become a man worthy of her affection as a respected man of means and rising member of the Foundry.
But.... Other elements might be at play, like the influence of her grandfather, should he ever be found, and the desires of another young man who sees the potential in Meg.
I will say this, Meg and Will make a very good team. That is especially true in SHADOW OF THE WAR MACHINE. I enjoy them as a couple, and as Will would say, "We'll see what the future holds."
It's important to remember that at this time, women had few legal rights, and marrying anyone would mean handing over her potential fortune and legal control of her affairs to her husband. That is not something Meg takes lightly anymore. I'll give Will credit, because he realized this social pressure in the first book and took it seriously.
He has become a man worthy of her affection as a respected man of means and rising member of the Foundry.
But.... Other elements might be at play, like the influence of her grandfather, should he ever be found, and the desires of another young man who sees the potential in Meg.
I will say this, Meg and Will make a very good team. That is especially true in SHADOW OF THE WAR MACHINE. I enjoy them as a couple, and as Will would say, "We'll see what the future holds."
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As I myself ...more
Jun 21, 2015 03:08PM · flag
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