I was stuck in ‘Victorian speak’ for three weeks during the making of “The Clock Strikes BlacK”. 

 It still happens when I’m writing other books. 

- Alice to The Mad Hatter, “The Clock Strikes Black”

“You have forgotten me.” 

The bloody tea from my Alice in Wonderland novel, “The Clock Strikes Black” 

Emeline found she couldn’t stare at the mirror for long, fearing what would be found looking back. Perhaps it would be better to be insane. The bitter thought never seemed far behind as she once again realized how neatly she had been trapped by the actions of others. Maybe something would make sense for a change if we all held the same improbable thoughts.

Perhaps her mind had already been lost and the surrounding room was one of her mind’s hopeful delusions. It is quite possible. A single trembling finger ran along the wall, trying to detect a hint of falsity. It would be rather charming that I have hoped for madness to come find me, when it appears I have had it all along.

Each object was scanned with an intense scrutiny, each one’s believability coming into question beneath the hardened gaze. “This all seems real.” She sighed to herself, suddenly feeling lost as she huddled at the edge of the bed. “But I suppose that is the trick.”

The dress lay forgotten at her side as she lay back, betrayed eyes scanning the ceiling. And what if I am not here at all? Am I just a figment of someone else’s madness? It seemed as though the whole world had shrunk to three words. Is. This. Real?

Her eyes glazed over as her brain shut down. The ceiling seemed to fall away to something much bigger. “I can see it.” She whispered as the darkness swirled before her eyes. “It is there.” Everything that had ever mattered suddenly shuddered beneath her gaze, falling to a simple fact that seemed to explain all that had ever been.

Please remember that all plots, characters, scenes, and quotes are copyright of Kelly Nichols and “The Clock Strikes Black”. If you borrow this without my permission it is Stealing.

- Alice, “The Clock Strikes Black”

- Tea lights

The lights instantly flared to life, the bright glare of candles causing her to defensively shield her eyes.

“Alice lives in a dream”

Nobody ages in Wonderland

Both are correct and I apologize if it’s confusing! The Clock Strikes Black is the first in the After Alice trilogy.

Even if, in years to come, my book series didn’t do as well as I had hoped, I must say that running around with clocks and fake blood while my neighbors look on in confusion was absolutely worth it. Every time.

How could it not be?

The Mad Hatter has no perception of time (the cause of his insanity)

“My Alice has forgotten me”

- The Mad Hatter, “The Clock Strikes Black”

- Goodbye, “The Clock Strikes Black”