Imagine More

A stew is stewing…

When people ask me what inspired The Lost Latitude: Destination Zandrelis, I always take a breath and brace myself. You see, it’s not a short answer—how could it be when my influences span from the meticulous world-building of Tolkien to the imaginative thrill of Guardians of the Galaxy? Imagine, if you will, what would happen if Tolkien was not only obsessed with Middle-earth but also had the theological foundation of Calvinism. Blend that with the wit of C.S. Lewis, the forward-thinking of H.G. Wells, and a dash of Arthur Conan Doyle’s methodical mysteries, and you’ve got the stew that’s cooking in my creative kitchen.

Tolkien with a Dash of Calvinism: The Spiritual Fabric of Zandrelis

Yes, I understand that you can’t just have a dash of Calvinism. It’s just a stew analogy, so calm down. J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, particularly The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, shaped my understanding of world-building. But in The Lost Latitude, I wanted to take that Tolkien-esque depth of creation and ask the same big theological questions that Calvinists are so fond of. Zandrelis is a place where every action has weight—there is a grand design, whether the characters see it or not. Much like Middle-earth, Zandrelis is a world where freedom of choice exists and is symphonically governed by a divine decree.

But don’t expect anyone to be lounging around with elves in Rivendell. No, my world is filled with more mechanized marvels than you can shake a hobbit’s pipe at. Think of Tolkien’s dwarves, but with steam-powered contraptions integrated into their forges, creating intricate tools for war and life.

Where Calvinist undertones truly shine is in the idea of destiny and the curse that hangs over Zandrelis. No impersonal "fate" here. Much like how Middle-earth is marred by the original fall of Morgoth, Zandrelis carries the weight of its own curse—a mechanical merging that both advances and haunts the world. For those curious, yes, there are moments of predestination that will leave readers pondering the "whys" of life. After all, if all things that happen are ordained to occur, then so is this story, flawed ingredients and all.

C.S. Lewis: Adventure with a Purpose

While Tolkien gave me the grand scale, C.S. Lewis gave me the narrative heart. His Chronicles of Narnia remain a touchstone for me, particularly the way he weaves adventure with life lessons that never feel preachy. Lewis had a unique way of presenting profound truths through whimsical storytelling—a recipe I’ve aspired to replicate in my stew.

In The Lost Latitude, the Drebber family’s journey isn’t just about survival; it’s about discovering their deeper purpose in a strange, new world. Much like the Pevensie children, the Drebbers are drawn from ordinary life into an extraordinary world, and they have to quickly learn that their presence in Zandrelis isn’t a random accident. I took inspiration from Lewis’ blend of heart-pounding adventure and spiritual depth, ensuring that my characters are not just dealing with external conflicts but also grappling with internal ones—questions of belief, destiny, and what it means to live a good life in a world gone mad.

However, where Lewis veers into allegory, I steer my ship toward Guardians of the Galaxy-style banter and camaraderie. Sure, there are big lessons to learn in Zandrelis, but we’re going to have some fun getting there.

H.G. Wells and the Spirit of Exploration

If Tolkien gave me depth and Lewis gave me heart, then H.G. Wells gave me the wild possibility of what could be. Wells’ The War of the Worlds and The Time Machine are seminal works that taught me to dream big and think beyond what’s visible. His influence on The Lost Latitude comes through in the mechanical innovations and explorations of Zandrelis itself. Imagine the sleek and fantastic machines of Wells but infused with the magic and mystery of a forgotten realm.

Wells’ knack for combining futuristic technology with philosophical reflection is something I’ve carried into my own writing. In Zandrelis, technology is not just a tool but a living, breathing part of the world—sometimes literally. The organichanical creatures and contraptions that populate Zandrelis are my homage to Wells’ vision of technology as something that can shape and be shaped by nature.

But unlike Wells’ often grim outlook, I infuse my world with the same humor and irreverence you’d find in Guardians of the Galaxy. Let’s face it—there’s only so much doom and gloom one can take before you need a character to crack a joke or a gadget to hilariously malfunction at the worst possible time.

Arthur Conan Doyle: Solving Mysteries in a New World

I have a soft spot for Sherlock Holmes and the rational, methodical mind of Arthur Conan Doyle’s greatest creation. In The Lost Latitude, you’ll find a similar spirit of inquiry. The Drebbers, especially young Tilly, approach the mysteries of Zandrelis with a sense of curiosity that would make Holmes proud. The world is filled with clues, waiting to be uncovered—whether it’s figuring out how the cursed fusion of organic and mechanical came to be or solving the mysteries behind Professor Punctor Malfus' sinister agenda.

Like Holmes, my characters don’t have all the answers handed to them. They have to use their wits, question what’s in front of them, and sometimes make tough decisions based on incomplete information. This process of discovery is integral to the story, and it’s where I’ve tried to blend Doyle’s rational problem-solving with the more fantastical elements of steampunk and magic.

The combination of humor, action, and clever problem-solving in Guardians of the Galaxy also plays a major role here. Much like the ragtag bunch of misfits in that film, my characters don’t always get it right, but they’re determined to figure things out anyway. And yes, there are plenty of sarcastic quips and laugh-out-loud moments along the way.

Guardians of the Galaxy Meets Middle-Earth: A Balance of Fun and Depth

So, how does all of this come together? Imagine a world where the sprawling landscapes and moral dilemmas of Tolkien meet the witty humor and fast-paced action of Guardians of the Galaxy. That’s Zandrelis in a nutshell—a place where organichanical beasts roam, sky pirates pilfer, and time-bending curses keep everyone guessing.

While my influences run deep, the key to The Lost Latitude is balance. For every solemn reflection on destiny or the weight of history, there’s a quick-witted exchange or an absurd situation to lighten the mood. After all, what’s the point of having a wild, mechanized adventure if you’re not laughing along the way?

In the end, The Lost Latitude is a love letter to the authors who taught me to dream big—Tolkien, Lewis, Wells, Doyle—and a nod to the modern adventure stories that remind me not to take life too seriously. As we travel with the Drebbers' through Zandrelis, there’s plenty of room for deep philosophical musings, but there’s also room for a good laugh, an explosive gadget, and a bit of swashbuckling in between.

So, if you’re ready for an adventure that blends the timeless with the humorous, the philosophical with the thrilling, then buckle up. We’re just getting started.

Until next time—keep your wits sharp, and your gears turning.