As it’s Groundhog Day, here’s the story-behind-the-story of my book, ’11:42′ – not because of the cute little woodchuck that predicts the arrival of Spring every Feb 2nd in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. But because of the awesome time-loop film that Bill Murray was in, which famously made the term ‘Groundhog Day’ synonymous with recurring situations.
’11:42′ is more of a ‘Groundhog Night’, with a timeloop embedded inside a truly nightmarish scenario.
When I began writing the manuscript I was in Crete. It was the first time I’d ever taken my laptop on holiday. As the burning sun sank down into the turquoise sea, cicadas playing strings in the background, I completely surprised myself by writing the opening line of something set in a gloomy street in Huddersfield. Why? Who knows. But, pretty quickly, I had the first chapter cranked out.
Years later, the first chapter is unrecognisable, but the elements are still there: A dark street just before midnight. A troubled boy. A mysterious girl with a terrifying dilemma the boy doesn’t know about yet, but which will change his life.
I must admit, it was hell to write this book after the others. I spent lots of time mentally walking around Huddersfield in the middle of the night. I got to know every nook and cranny a bit too well, and the fictional ‘Baker Street’ still appears sometimes in my own nightmares!
And not a woodchuck in sight 😉
The manuscript for 11:42 is represented by the awesome team at HighSpot Literary and looking for a good home. Wish me luck!
Photo Credit: Travis Bozeman (Unsplash)
Jo Danilo | Writer 