G is for Gabrielle Sanders

(Post 7 on my WIP)

Gabrielle has already introduced herself on this blog – here.

This is what we overheard her saying to her groupies, Linda and Jessica.

Jane is not an academic rival. I know I’m far superior to her in almost every subject. I also know I’ve had to work hard for that achievement, and she seems to waltz in on the back on nepotism, maybe Commander Trainer should review ethical principle one.
The hottest guy in the class Kyle seems to have fallen for her and is attracted to her for some reason. He is so my type. He’s asked for help with his assignments so I think he might like me too. I’m sure he’d have no problems completing them himself but I’m happy to help and get to know him better.

Character wise Gabrielle shares similar character traits with Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl, is Kyle her Chuck Bass? (Image from imdb.com)

Also, I’m after your help for my Q post which will be on  ‘Questions Answered’ – please head over to my Facebook Page if you’ve been inspired to ask me anything and then come back on Thursday 19th April for the answers. Of course I’m still more than happy to receive your comments on today’s post too.

F is for Forensics

(Post 6 on my WIP)

Just because these cops can travel through time, it doesn’t mean they don’t need to follow usual police procedures. As part of my research (and also just because I love studying, with The Open University in general) I took an Elements of Forensic Science Course. Just to show how good I would be at this if it was my career – I thought the hair on the front cover of the book was real and tried to pick it off – doh.
My mate Stacey over at It Takes a Woman had studied the course previously and Jay over at Jay’s Insight decided to take it at the same time as me – we even did some study together. The Forensics teacher in ‘Training Time’ I’ve called Dr Jaylin Stacey after the two of them. Not sure if they picked up on that when beta reading.

Kristin Scott Thomas could rock Dr Jaylin Stacey’s silver plait (Image from imdb.com).

….
I hope to integrate some of the technical aspects of Forensic Science into the novel without making it too much like regurgitating the textbook.

Does anyone have any advice on how to integrate research smoothly into your story?

E is for Ethics

(Post 5 on my WIP)

Travelling through time could easily become quite messy (think of the warnings Hermione gives Harry when they are using the Time-Turner in Prisoner of Azkaban) and so the Commander has drafted in Dr (of Philosophy) Grace Aire to teach the Ethics of Time Policing to the trainees. Their first assignment sees them select a scenario and apply the relevant ten ethical principles to this. Jane’s scenario proves to be a little more than simply hypothetical.

Could Cate Blanchett play Dr Grace Aire? (Image from imdb.com)

Ethics of Time Policing

1.    Time police should not use their position to their own personal advantage.
2.    Time police should be as sure as they can be of the guilt of a suspect before returning to the past scene of a crime to apprehend the subject.
3.    Time police should only use time travel to protect the lives of those they have been authorised to do so.
4.    Time travel is not to be used to protect property except when this has been identified as of national, world or universal significance.
5.    Time police should at all times display honesty in their dealings with members of the public and each other, expect in situations where honesty will pose a safety risk.
6.    Time police are not authorised to use terminal force except in the preservation of the life of themselves, a fellow time cop or an innocent bystander.
7.    Time police must identify themselves as such before apprehending a subject.
8.    Time police should respect the equality and diversity of all and not discriminate against anyone on the basis of age, colour, gender, sexuality, etc.
9.    Time police should not allow any authorised personnel access to time travel technology, including selling technological software, hardware and documentation.
10.    Time police report to the state and protect the city and time which they serve. Time police should obey all orders given by superiors unless they have sufficient evidence to suggest that an order contravenes one of the other nine directives.

Can you identify which of the ethical principles would you find it most difficult to uphold, and why?