Written in Partnership with Vishnu Chaudhari
What comes to your mind when you hear the word fiction? For many, it might be about a utopian world, a medieval kingdom, or larger-than-life characters. But fiction goes beyond what we think is possible. In the age-old tradition of storytelling, fiction serves as our compass through the unchartered territories of human experience.
For different readers, fictional stories might hold a different value depending on the characters, premise, and time in which it’s set. But at its core, a fictional book tells the stories of ordinary people living in extraordinary times and vice versa.
In skilled hands, a perfect fictional story makes the character’s journey relatable, and being immersed in that story makes history come alive for the audience, sometimes in the most unpredictable ways. Sentiments are timeless; bonds, social status, age- and gender-appropriate roles, and issues are fluid and ever-changing. Fiction offers them a pillar to transform human experiences into memorable tales.
Unfortunately, only a few authors have been able to grasp the true essence of fiction in their writings, but the ones who have changed the course of fiction writing once and for all. Stephen Jensen is one of the few writers who have mastered the art of transforming words into jewels.
Hailing from Salt Lake City, Stephen spent his childhood juggling between the outdoors and the library that became his haven. He found solace in the depth of stories that would take him to a new world, and this fascination shines in his work.
According to Stephen, his life has been all about imagining the what-ifs. One such question was, “What if I went to sleep, warm in my bed, then woke in a field of snow?” And that grew into the underlying concept for his science fiction book Avalon: TimeFall.
Inside the Time Travel Saga
Stephen’s Avalon: TimeFall is a work of his broad imagination that magnifies the endless possibilities of the past and what’s yet to come. The protagonists, Julie and Micheal, an extraordinary duo living in the comfort of New York, find themselves in a situation that will forever change their lives. Julie Buckingham, the embodiment of “Beauty with brains,” and Micheal Hall, a descendant of King Arthur or the long lost “Lord of Avalon,” find themselves solving the riddle of time to return home. The story serves as a perfect tunnel into Stephen’s genius mind, offering a trip to the unpredictable world of what-ifs.
Neither Micheal nor Julie knew that an accidental TimeFall would push them back centuries, witnessing the events that forever changed the course of history. Where are they? How will they go back home? And what’s coming for them? One thing that makes Stephen’s sci-fi endeavor shine is the layers that unravel the mystery around the characters and what’s about to come.
The Character Arc
Julie and Micheal’s character development in TimeFall is a perfect case study for future authors. It stays true to traditional fiction and delivers what the story promises. Both characters have their own hidden struggles, which builds intrigue. The genius of Julie and Micheal’s Arthurian roots showcases Stephen’s fascination with the Legend of King Arthur and British history in general.
Each setting promises to complement the character’s journey, keeping them tangled into several subplots. A large chunk of these narratives takes pieces out of the books that Stephen read all his life. The bond between Micheal and Julie is a mirror through which Stephen erects a world that matches his alleged understanding of love, emotions, and trouble.
According to Stephen, “Anytime I create a character, I try to imagine who they would need to be to succeed in whatever challenges they would have to overcome. In falling through time, you must be exceptionally intelligent and resourceful”.
One of the key elements around the characters is the urge to find the truth behind the what-ifs, to unravel the mysteries around their origins. The search drives them to discover the reality behind what happened long before they existed.
Micheal’s overshadowing personality could have been a disaster if someone other than Jensen had written it. But in Stephen’s world, Julie, with relatively simple characteristics, maintains the balance. It’s a sweet and sour affair.
It’s safe to say that behind the mysterious journey of Micheal and Julie, there are answers that Stephens aims to find. Wrapped under the blanket of fiction is a quest for life, truth, and what it means to find love. With the engaging narrative behind the classic fictional tale, there’s imagination that is nothing but a masterclass in fiction writing. Undoubtedly, with strong writing and exceptional character development, Avalon: TimeFall has set the bar for aspiring science fiction writers.
Don’t miss out on one of the most magnificent and mind-bending trips through the tunnels of time brought to you by Stephen Jensen.
Avalon: TimeFall is now available on Amazon.
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