Q&A and Chat With Alesha Escobar

[Alesha]

Are you curious about The Tower's Alchemist? Do you want to know what pieces of real history I used and what's fantasy? Whether you're new to the book or a reader and fan, please share your questions, feedback and thoughts!

[Devorah]

Oh, did you change history? I guess I didn't notice. I got nervous about changing history in "The Lost King" so I ended up doing a ton of research but in retrospect I wonder if strict historical accuracy is all that important in a fantasy.

[Alesha]

I subtly changed minute details, but on the larger structural scale, I held accurately to history. For example, I needed to make reference to the Russian Liberation Army in my story (to which my Russian spy had connections), however the timeline is summer 1941--the RLA wasn't in existence then. So I created a predecessor group known as "Russian Liberation Group."

I agree with you that historical accuracy is very important, but I also believe in verisimiltude, where sometimes an author should (or can) offer the basic trappings and resemblance of reality or historical reality--enough to keep plausibility, but at the same time allowing creative freedom.

[Devorah]

Aha! Not much of a fudge, I say. The RLA had to get its start somehow. ;)

[Samantha]

Alesha, I loved your books and because of them, I discovered another genre I enjoy. What made you decide historical fantasy and why that particular era?

[Alesha]

Samantha, Luis offered it to me as a challenge. I also LOVED the WW2 stories my old high school chemistry teacher used to tell us when he served in the war. And of course, it's no secret Hitler and the Nazis were preoccupied with the occult and harnessing it for their advantage.

[Samantha]

I love it. What plans do you have for the third book that you can tell us about? Does Isabella get to rise above the preconceptions of being a Drifter?

[Alesha]

Oh yes, Samantha, she certainly rises above those preconceptions, while meeting new challenges. The drama intensifies, and I'm tying up those loose ends :-)

I'm currently at 33K words for Circadian Circle, and it's coming along beautifully! I want this to be even better than Dark Rift, so I'm going to beg you to beta for me since you're familiar with the entire trilogy :)

[Alesha]

Devorah wrote: "Aha! Not much of a fudge, I say. The RLA had to get its start somehow. ;)"

Exactly!

[Samantha]

But of course! I would love to! :) I'm very honored you asked.

[Alesha]

Samantha wrote: "But of course! I would love to! :) I'm very honored you asked."

Awesome :)

[Dicey]

I was a bit intimidated before I started reading The Tower's Alchemist. I thought, "WOW--I don't know anything about chemistry". Ha! You very patiently told me what ALCHEMY was, and once I realized you'd tied that in to WWII with Nazis and Hitler, I was intrigued. I'll admit some of the book still went over my head, but I took that to mean you are one sharp cookie!

You mentioned above: "it's no secret Hitler and the Nazis were preoccupied with the occult and harnessing it for their advantage."--I'm ashamed to say, I had no idea. I actually learned something for your book, which was interesting, since it was also fantasy fiction.

I think historical fantasy is a great fit for you. My question is--do you see yourself writing in any other genres in the future? If so, what and why? Or do you feel you've found your special niche in this genre?

[Alesha]

@Dicey, I really enjoy urban fantasy and epic fantasy, so you will definitely see some projects in those areas from me.

[Cecilia]

Like Devorah, I'm really 'scared' --not the right word, I think..haha but changing history, I'm too conscious. :D It's easier to create my own world. So I really admire you for coming up with that. :) With such a project where did you do your research? Library, web...

[Alesha]

Cecilia wrote: "Like Devorah, I'm really 'scared' --not the right word, I think..haha but changing history, I'm too conscious. :D It's easier to create my own world. So I really admire you for coming up with that...."

It can be a daunting task! I watched some amazing historical documentaries, as well as internet research, and talking with people who've either traveled to the places that I've made my setting (or have even lived through it). I try to balance it out, so you get a nice dose of a a rich setting and history, but also engaging characters and plot, all with a dash of humor and romance.