A: This novel is loaded with mutant teenagers––teens with fantastic psionic abilities! The story takes place nineteen years after a worldwide Ebola-X outbreak. Millions died before a cure could be discovered. However, it was that very cure that caused the next generation to mutate. Children were born with alien blue eyes and extraordinary psychic powers––and most of those powers were quite dangerous. Seeing these young people as a threat, the government built psionic detainment facilities to house and contain them, ripping children from their families in order to keep the public safe.
In order to convey my ideas visually, I hired creature artist, Mike Corriero, to assist me with character and tech design. He did an amazing job and his artwork is featured inside the book and on my website. Above is an image of Devon McWilliams, the book’s protagonist, by Mike Corriero, © 2014. You can see more of Mike’s artwork at www.mikecorriero.com.
Q: How did you come up with the setting? What elements of reality did you draw upon to write this story?
A: The setting for this story starts off in the badlands of North Dakota and ends in a redwood forest along the California Coast in a world very much like our own, with the exception of some highly advanced technology. The advanced tech is due to the tech-heads––psions who are able to create any machine they can imagine. Most of these amazing machines are patented by the government and used for the military, but there are a lucky few who have managed to stay clear of the government’s reach.
I came up with settings that were best suited to tell this story and keep it interesting. I drew upon elements from today’s headlines in an effort to piece together how I felt the United States and world governments would react to a spate of children born with very dangerous powers. Some of these kids can kill with a thought. Some of these children have accidently killed their parents when they were toddlers. They are marked with strange blue eyes. They are dangerous. Ordinary people need to be protected from them…even if they are only children.
Q What was it that drew you to FREAKS OF NATURE? Was there a particular character begging to get out?
A: The main character in FREAKS OF NATURE is Devon McWilliams and yes, he was begging to get out. He’s a good kid and because he talks to plants, he has been able to live with his family for over thirteen years. This makes him different from his peers who have been raised in the government detainment facilities. Devon also has psionic powers that appear to be quite mild in comparison with say, a psi-cannon, who can fire balls of energy from her hands. Inside his government detainment facility, Devon found it hard to make friends because with his rare and not-very-impressive powers, he wasn’t taken seriously.
Q: How does dialogue play into your story? Do you focus more on the development of the storyline or the characters or is it somewhere in between?
A: The dialog should reflect who the character is, so it is a very important extension of the story. For me, the dialog and character development go hand in hand. When I develop my characters, I also consider how a particular character speaks. I like to outline my stories before I actually write, but at the same time, I develop the characters. Sometimes inspiration strikes me with the main character first––other times, I have an idea for the plot first. Either way, I prefer to work on both character and storyline simultaneously.
Q: You were a screenwriter for Nickelodeon’s Are You Afraid of the Dark?. What was that like?
A: I loved, loved, loved working for Nickelodeon! D.J. MacHale was the creator of Are You Afraid of the Dark? and he was a terrific boss. You may recognize his name from his many series of middle-grade novels––The Pendragon Series, The SYLO Chronicles, Morpheus Road, and his newest release, Voyagers: Project Alpha, coming out September 2015.
Q: How has screenwriting impacted writing novels? Did you learn anything in particular that you applied to writing FREAKS OF NATURE?
A: I learned much writing for television: How to write fantastic dialog, the importance of three act structure, and how write concisely and visually.
Q: So we have to know…Did you ever get slimed?
A: Sadly no. Not by Nickelodeon… not yet anyway.
*insert raised eyebrows here from Raychelle*
Q: What is one little known or unique fact about yourself?
A: When I was going to film school, I interned for Michael Douglas’s production company, which was called Stonebridge Entertainment at the time. And yes, I got to meet Mr. Douglas himself a few times.
Q: What were your biggest learning experiences through the process of writing to publishing?
A: I was surprised by the amount of time and energy that goes into promoting one’s work before, during and after the editing process. But I sure am having fun designing cool swag.
Q: Where is the strangest location that you had an idea come to you for either this story or another piece?
A: On a sheep farm in Melbourne, Australia while a herd of wild kangaroos raced past. It was a completely alien experience, like I was standing on another planet.
Q: What can we look forward to from you in the future?
A sequel to Freaks of Nature entitled Shadow Walker, as well as more terrific artwork by Mike Corriero.
Some additional images of the characters featured in FREAKS OF NATURE:
Bai Lee's Eyes by Mike Corriero. ©2014 Wendy Brotherlin.
Winnie's Eyes by Mike Corriero. ©2014 Wendy Brotherlin.
Nevada's Eyes by Mike Corriero. ©2014 Wendy Brotherlin.
Vahn's Eyes by Mike Corriero. ©2014 Wendy Brotherlin.
Thank you so much Wendy! I don't know about anyone else, but I absolutely love the artwork! =)
