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DL Orton: Hive (Madders of Time #1)

Q: The idea of time-traveling to the past to correct the future is not unheard of in sci-fi, but [b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b]Hive[/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b] includes several huge happenings that need to be changed. Where did that idea come from?
A: Honestly? Probably from watching the news too long while muttering “this timeline sucks.” But mostly, it’s about regret—those little “what ifs” that pile up until you need a full-blown spacetime bridge just to sleep at night.

Q: [b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b]Hive[/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b] includes many references to popular sci-fi and cult classics, such as [b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b]Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy[/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b], [b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b]Doctor Who[/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b], and [b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b]Monty Python[/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b]—do you have any special favorites in this genre or a special reason to add them to the story?
A: I grew up with them. They’re like the nerdy godparents who made me who I am. They weren’t just entertainment—they were lifelines. Little reminders that absurdity and wonder can coexist. For me, staying connected—and remembering how to laugh—is what keeps the dark from swallowing you whole. If you’re laughing, you’re still fighting. Still human.

Q: How many parts can we expect to conclude the series, and any rough estimate when the series will be finished?
A: Current estimate: more than one, fewer than 42. If the time machine behaves, Book 4 (yes, it’s coming!) will bring more answers (and unite the two book series). Madders of Time Book 2 should be up for pre-order when Hive launches May 6, and if the stars align, Book 3 will follow this fall 2025.

Q: Any personal comments on the writing process?
A: Writing this book was like herding quantum cats through a wormhole: loud, chaotic, and occasionally life-affirming. Also, I aged 10 years and gained 5 pounds. Worth it. I think.
My tagline? “Saving the timeline one sarcastic AI at a time.”

Thank you so much for these thoughtful questions—and for letting me ramble about quantum cats, Monty Python, and my deeply complicated relationship with spacetime (and possibly carbs).
You totally nailed the heart of Hive: it’s about regret, resilience, and finding a reason to laugh even when the universe feels like it’s glitching. I’m beyond grateful to every reader who steps into this world and finds something worth holding onto—whether it’s a sarcastic AI, a scrappy cat, or just the comfort of knowing you’re not alone in muttering “this timeline sucks.”
More books are coming (yes, plural!), and I promise I’m feeding the time machine regularly. Thank you for being part of this ride. ????????
—DL