Interviews with the characters we all love with a little help from the authors that wrote them.
In this case Lindsey Kinsella
Name (and title if appropriate):
Professor Dian Buckland
Written by:
Lindsey Kinsella
Links to your creator:
Books you appear in (links welcome):
The Lazarus Taxa https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NP1M1S9
In no more than 5 words explain your ambitions:
Peace and knowledge
Favourite place and why?
A dusty plain not far from Denver, Colorado. Okay, that might not sound so interesting, but, when I visited, it was 68 million years ago. I had spent my entire life obsessing over fossils—little more than the memories of long lost creatures in the rock—so to finally see dinosaurs in the flesh? They were everywhere, just going about their business in their natural environment. Despite everything that happened after, I hope I can one day see that place again.
New Orleans. It’s home.
Favourite weapon and why?
A favourite? You must be joking—I can’t stand violence of any kind. For the entire expedition all I heard from the Major was to “take that rifle with you.” Why should I? He says it’s to protect myself, but those animals had more right to be there than me—it’s their home. I guess that’s what makes the incident with the raptor so frustrating, I didn’t even mean to… I don’t want to talk about that right now.
Favourite moment and why?
I’ve never been the type for the outdoors—leave me at home with a good book and I’ll be quite happy—but when we reached the top of that mountain? Absolute bliss. I could see for miles and, I swear, it was the most breath-taking view I have ever seen. And then the pterosaurs—they flew right over our heads! Of course, things turned sour pretty quickly on that damned mountain. It’s a shame there isn’t a reliable weather forecast for the Cretaceous!
Most significant enemy and why?
That weasel Richard Mansa. Heard of him? Yeah, him. Disgraced tech guru and the richest man on the planet—or, rather, formerly the richest man on the planet. The high profile deaths of several employees really does hit stock values. Well, that guy used to be my boss. He always seemed nice enough, but everyone has their secrets… some darker than others.
Tell me about your childhood:
I’m a Florida girl, born and bred! Of course, people often assume that means I lived some sort wild, alligator-riding, moonshine-brewing life, but it really wasn’t like that. My parents and I lived a quiet suburban life. If anything, I’d describe it as being pretty sheltered. I guess that led to some naivety; which is really what got me wrapped up in all this mess.
Where would you be now if you had made better choices?
Probably still digging up fossils in the Montana dirt! Don’t get me wrong, signing up to work for Genesis was a doozy of a mistake, but I have to admit my life is now more interesting now for it. I can say I’ve travelled through time and helped save countless lives. And now? Well, I’m the first name on everyone’s paleontology expert wish list. How many paleontologists have been face-to-face with real-life dinosaurs? Just one—Professor Dian Buckland!
Anything you’d like to say to your maker?
Like… to God? I can’t say I’ve ever been religious, much to my parents’ dismay, but, I suppose if someone was out there pulling the strings, then I’d say… “What the Hell, dude?” Because, as much as I loved the chance to see the things I’ve seen, this past six months have been dreadful. It was like some kind of horrific novel written by a psychopath.
Thank you for your time, please feel free to leave a parting statement:
Thank you for this really fun little exercise! It’s been almost a year now since The Lazarus Taxa was released, so it was nice to step back into Dian’s shoes. She’s the eternal optimist of the group and probably the character I found myself loving the most—and certainly the one I respected most!
If you’d like to follow Dian and the team’s journey through time, to unveil a dark mystery 68 million years in the past, then please do check The Lazarus Taxa out. It’s available on most online platforms and free ebook samples are available from most.