The Beginning at the End of the World: A Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian Series (The Survivor Diaries Book 2) (43 page)

I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading
The Beginning at The End of the World
as much as I did writing it. The Villagers have finally found a peaceful existence, or have they? Find out in
Moving Mountains
, Book III of the Survivor Diaries Series!

Positive reviews are an author’s bread and butter, so I thank you in advance for your time.

Please remember to leave a review on Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1S4rn5K
.

To find out more about the
Survivor Diaries Series
, please visit these great websites:

Author’s Website:
www.lynnlamb.com

Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/thesurvivordiariestalk.page
.

Email address:
[email protected]

Twitter:
http://twitter.com/DiariesSurvivor

If you “like” my Facebook page, you will receive the most up-to-date information about the latest Lynn Lamb releases. Also, you can sign up to
receive email alerts and newsletters
:

http://www.lynnlamb.com/email-alertscontact.html

Author’s final note: remember that our earth is our only home, so please live everyday knowing that we must protect it and all of our neighbors who dwell here.

Thank you, Villagers!

Sincerely,

Lynn Lamb

A Conversation with Lynn Lamb on

The Beginning at the End of the World
,

The Survivor Diaries
, Book II

Q: We know that Laura’s background was based on your own. How much do you, Lynn Lamb, have in common with Laura Patton?

A: At the beginning of Book I,
Monte Vista Village
, I based the character on some of the facts of my own life; however, as the story unfolds, she grows very much into her own person. Laura and all of the characters are constantly surprising me. I know that it sounds strange, since I am the author, but they really do have their own individual voices. Sometimes I find myself talking to my computer screen, asking the characters why they do certain things, or warning them, like “Don’t go there.” They don’t always listen to me.

Laura has become the person I want to be when I grow up. I would love to have the ability to lead others through completely pure intentions.

Q:
Book II has some real action, twists and turns. If you had to pick one, which event has the biggest impact on the story?

A: I think the Sneaker Wave plague probably had the biggest effect. Before that happened, there was always the possibility of foraging for food and relying on the trappings and some of the creature comforts of the old world. Now, the Villagers have no way of knowing if it will ever be safe to sift through the debris again. So, this virus becomes the catalyst that propels them in their decision to move to the Valley.

The Villagers are now forced to find a new way of existing, and Laura nails it on the head when she says that they will have to create something entirely new, something the world has never seen. Of course, that doesn’t mean going back to the pre-industrial age. Laura envisions a world that looks nothing like the past. To Laura, it means taking what they already know and using it in a way that is sustainable, such as using solar power rather than fossil fuels, but she also wants a world without the threats of war or hunger, which is something that humankind has never come close to accomplishing.

Q: There are a lot of survival methods used throughout the books. Are these things that you actually have done in the past?

A: Not at all. I am not really an outdoorsy person. I do love to plant and garden, but I have no expertise in things like survival seed vaults and snow caves. I have, however, done copious amounts of research for my books. I can’t guarantee anything that works for the Villagers, but I would probably try some of it if I found myself in a similar situation as Laura and company. So, this is my disclaimer: I do not guarantee any of the survival techniques for the post-apocalypse found in these fictional stories.

Q:
It’s really convenient that there are Villagers whose expertise allows them to reach their goals of no longer being completely reliant on the technology of the past.
How does Laura reconcile that in her mind?

A: That’s all part of the plot. In this book, Colonel Jackson and friends reveal some of the secrets that they have been holding onto. The military “good guys” who were “outed” by Laura, had picked certain people within the military who they knew would be assets in creating a new world after the war. They also chose neighborhoods that would have some highly educated people in them. In Book I, we learn that the Monte Vista Village was close to a hospital, so of course there were doctors and other medical personnel in the area. Jackson’s revelation that he picked that community once he saw Laura will be something that is explored more deeply in future books.

Q: How could such a flawed character as Laura end up leading as effectively as she does?

A: Laura’s flaws make her relatable. All of us are seriously flawed; some are just better able to hide it than others. And some of Laura’s perceived flaws are really her strengths. She is highly emotional, and many of the male characters are made uncomfortable by it, but she knows it is through those emotions that she is able to tap into her own humanity.

Q: Team Mark or Team Jackson?

A: Me? Well, in the beginning it’s Team Mark, but I am now Team Jackson, all the way. Laura’s relationship with Mark is something of the old world, and it implodes in the post-apocalypse when she becomes a leader. I don’t think Mark can really accept her in the role, but Jackson absolutely understands that she is everything a leader needs to be and more. He wants to help nurture her strength, but Mark wants it to be the way it was, which we find out wasn’t all that great. I love the scene where Laura is explaining to her nieces the difference in her relationships between the two men, and how she sees herself reflected in their eyes. Jackson and Laura bring out the best in one another. Jackson is definitely Laura’s soul mate.

Q: Why does Laura give Jackson her diaries to read when she knows there are some serious criticisms of him in them?

A: Laura is honest to a fault, and she not only wants to have that honesty in her relationship, but she wants him to understand what honesty means in their new lives.

Q: Why does Laura pick Colonel Fitzpatrick to promote to General instead of Jackson? Wasn’t it risky when it comes to her relationship with Jackson?

A: Laura does what she has to for the good of the Village, above all else. That’s part of what makes her the best person for the job. It’s obvious that the MT needs one person in charge, and she sees that Fitzpatrick is the peacemaker in their group, much like herself. He is also more of a people person than any of the others, including Jackson. And to Jackson’s credit, he understands that and has faith in Laura’s choice.

Q: Do you have a favorite scene?

A: More than one. I love the scenes that take place between Laura and Jackson in the snow cave. When Jackson asks her to forgive him for shooting Rolette, you just know how well he understands her. He is so good about calming her fears with just the tone of his voice. I also love when Laura realizes how much she wants him. The whole symbolism of tunneling into the snow cave works really well when they decide to pursue a physical relationship right there.

Another of my favorite scenes is the one where Bailey comes up to Laura and Jackson and begins to repeat some of the things Laura and her family have said in the past about him. I was going to end Book II with that scene because I love how the child was leading Laura to learn how to milk a goat. It was such a funny scene, and it makes you feel like there is the possibility of a real future for these people if they are willing to adapt.

Q: So, why did you change your mind about ending the book there?

A: I read a lot of eBook series, and sometimes I feel sort of cheated when they are too short. In actuality, it would still have been a decent sized book, but I really wanted to give my audience more content. People are spending their hard earned money on my books, and I want to make sure they feel like they want to continue reading the series without feeling short changed.

Q: After Jackson and Laura get out of the snow cave, Laura has a real boost of confidence. What gives her that belief in herself that allows her to face-off with people like Colonel Mason?

A: As soon as she steps out of the cave and sees Mark, she knows that he knows she was unfaithful. In a way, that frees her of some of the guilt. Knowing that she is moving away from her old life and towards a new one with someone who is behind her one hundred percent helped, but I think it really came from something deep inside of her that has just opened up. She has the terrible phobia that she has been able to overcome, and she has made it through even more enemy strikes.

With that said, Laura has always been able to stand up to anyone who is acting wrongly. Her super power is to cut down people who need cutting down, like Colonel Mason. That’s a super power I wish I had sometimes. It’s part of what makes her so good at being in charge.

Q: Laura seems to develop a relationship with a woman she has never met, Agenia, the former owner of the tiny cabin. Why is that an important relationship for Laura?

A: Laura has decided that Agenia is her benefactor and role model as a strong female. When she is in the cabin alone for the first time, she realizes how many women have not only lifted her up, but have also had their lives cut short. That’s when Laura resolves to continue to fight against all odds to honor all of the women who died in the Last War and would never be able to reach their full potential.

Q: What is the significance of Laura’s apparent lack of religious faith?

A: In Book II, there are many different ways people are trying to come to grips with what has happened, and religion is one of them. God’s Warriors are following this wing-nut, Steven Rolette. I think that is in part because he claims to have the answers as to why God allowed this to happen to them. As for Laura, she really wants to have some kind of faith in a higher power because she knows it would be comforting, but she is really having an existential crisis.

The fascinating thing is that she and Reverend John become so close. Despite her continued claims that she doesn’t really believe in God, she runs to the Reverend whenever things stop making sense to her. Her conversations with him, especially the one they have in the ice cave, are some of the most raw and deeply honest interactions she has with anyone. She is really being pulled in opposite directions when it comes to her religious beliefs, and she desperately wants someone to absolve her of her sins; however, the Reverend, not being Catholic, is unable to give her that. I think that what he gives her is much better that any confessional absolution or penance, though. He talks things through with her and leads her to her own conclusions, and that is exactly what she needs.

On a final note about religion, if you pay careful attention, there are some themes in the story that are tied to the Bible, with some variations.

Q: So, what’s up for the future of the Villagers?

A: I am not going to give too much away, but let’s just say that the Valley is not the Garden of Eden they are hoping for.

There will be more important revelations from Jackson about the role of the leader. His secrets seem to be a bottomless pit.

Oh, and there is a real villain who emerges, one who is much worse than Rolette, who ends up testing Laura’s resolve about her leadership.

There are many, many more surprises.

Thanks, first and foremost, to everyone who has taken the time to read my tale. I know that our lives get busy, so it is even more of a task to cut out time from our day to read. If you enjoyed the ride, I would be honored if you would write a review for me on the site where you purchased the book. Reviews are the eBook author’s bread and butter.

Megan, I know that you are not an editor by trade, but you are awesome! Hatai— my sounding board and friend— I can’t thank you enough for those long hours talking me through this story (not to mention the first and third books).

I also owe a huge thanks to my wonderful BETA readers from the Survivor Diaries Facebook Fan Page. You know who you are. I so appreciate your time and kinds words. Thank you all for fueling me as I write.

Enter to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card

It’s simple! Just click on this logo:

It will bring you to a page on The
Lynn Lamb
website. Scroll to the
bottom
of the page, and find this picture. That image is actually a secret button to the hidden online entry page. So, click on it!

That button takes you to the entry form. Feel free to leave a comment for the author.

And that’s it! Good luck!             

This contest begins June 23, 2016.

Enter before December 16, 2016.