Erin Fanning

Author C. Lee McKenzie is well known for her ability to tackle modern teen issues, but she’s equally comfortable exploring magical worlds as she proves in her most recent novel, The Great Time Lock Disaster. In the following mini-interview, she discusses her writing process…

Do you have a specific style?

I’ve been told I have a lean prose. I’m not given to flowery words and long phrases, I guess. No mellifluous, abundant sentences. However, I do like description, so I have to watch not spending too much time on that aspect of a book.

How did you come up with the title, The Great Time Lock Disaster?

It took a while. I really wanted to have something catchy like Alligators Overhead (the first book), but since this story is about how Pete messes up a Time Spell, the best I could do was The Great Time Lock Disaster. I prefer short titles, but sometimes they don’t capture the story, so then I have to go for the long one.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

This has changed over the years. Right now I’d love to have Margaret Atwood or Barbara Kingsolver as mentors. Their writing stirs some very deep things inside me. When I’m into one their books, I do nothing but read.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

I got to play with Pete and Weasel (my main characters) again. It was kind of like going back to a younger time when I played kickball with the kids on the street, and we told ghost stories to see who could scare all of us the most. I love middle grade books, so I guess writing them is pure fun for me.

What makes your book stand out from the crowd?

Well, I haven’t seen many adventures with alligators being helpful. Even in Peter Pan, the alligator is nasty. I guess you could say that at least makes my book stand out.

Anything else you want to add?

To celebrate the launch of The Great Time Lock Disaster, I’m giving 20 eBooks away. Hope you’ll jump in to the copter and go for a ride! ~ Rafflecopter giveaway ~

Inside the The Great Time Lock Disaster

There’s nothing’s more dangerous than a wizard-in-training. And Pete Riley, has just proven it. He’s worked a bad time spell–a very bad time spell.

No YouTube, no smoothies, no Manga. Not ever again. Not unless Pete figures out how to reverse his spell and free Weasel and him from Victorian England.

He has until the next full moon. Only a few days. Tick. Tock.

More about the author

Usually, C. Lee takes on modern issues that today’s teens face in their daily lives. Her first young adult novel, Sliding on the Edge, which dealt with cutting and suicide was published in 2009. Her second, titled The Princess of Las Pulgas, dealing with a family who loses everything and must rebuild their lives came out in 2010. Double Negative (2014) was her third young adult novel. Researching it turned her into a literacy advocate. Her fourth YA, Sudden Secrets came out in December 2014. When she really wants to have FUN, she writes middle grade books. Alligators Overhead and The Great Time Lock Disaster are now available.