A few (okay a fair number) of very astute readers have picked up on a couple of lines at the beginning of Zombie Fallout 2 that refer to Marta and how she used to change Tommy's diapers. 'Well how is that possible Mr. Tufo if Tommy is a 500 year old half-vamp?' They ask.
Alright so I am going to take you through the entire genesis of the problem, the less than satisfactory repairs and my creative processes. You ready? Let's start with Tommy, first off the boy was NEVER supposed to make it off that Wal-Mart roof. In fact Tommy and Eliza both were never characters I had envisioned when I started the series. And the relationship between the two was not even 'revealed' to me until book 3. So I knew I had the diaper reference issue from book 2, how do I go about correcting the past? So I started to really drop significant hints that Tommy had the ability to infuse false thoughts into us lesser beings. I was less than satisfied with that answer, so I actually did some tinkering with book 2 and edited out some of Marta's comments, actually making them vague, apparently it wasn't enough.
Now I'm going to do what I had sort of hoped to avoid and I'm going to rewrite history so to speak. So most likely in a few weeks this blog entry will not even be relevant!
EDIT - Okay so it looks like this post will still be relevant until 2019 (when the audio is redone). I have since long ago fixed the ebook and hard copies, alas the audio will have this hiccup until I regain the rights and have the series redone. Feel free to use Tommy's power of suggestion until then.
Pin It Now!
I just figured Tommy altered Marta's memory to believe she raised him (kinda like he altered Mike's great grand parents memory to protect them). I love your characters and their evolution. And I really love your made up words. I look forward to your latest book (and the quirkily compelling zombentures---"see what I did there?").
ReplyDeleteHaha I was thinking about this myself just the other day. I'm on like my third trip through the series in preparation for number 6... I figured the same as Chaka there. I figured he just used an influence over her. Tommy was an endearing kid, but I'm glad you're taking him the direction you are. It surprised the heck out of me, but that's what I love about the series. All I ask is that you don't EVER kill BT or Henry haha. Everyone else is fair game I suppose...
ReplyDeleteChris Enterline
Actually, I think Henry should get mortally wounded and Mike has to save him with some of his own blood... I want an immortal Henry.
ReplyDeleteI just finished book one in three hours and then bought the next one, love it all!! You got yourself another adoring fan of your great works!!
ReplyDeleteoh an immortal Henry.... oh yes pls!!
ReplyDeleteIt makes perfect sense just the way it was written. Tommy could not have stayed the somewhat slow Wall Mart greeter for 500 years. After he became Tomas, he probably lived several lives starting as a baby, toddler, and growing into a young man several times before the round that he met Mike and the Talbot family, getting his diapers changed by Marta and becoming a Wall Mart greeter. There was no Wall Mart 400 years ago so he was probably Tomas the somewhat slow goatherder, Tommy the open air market greeter, etc until he reached the time of the Wall Mart and the Talbot's.
ReplyDeleteImmortal Henry would absolutely rock! How do we know that he is not immortal already, with the gas he has he could have wiped out several civiliazation timeframes before this one:-)
their relationship gets me too, as I shake my head when people Suggest Kate Beckinsale etc play Eliza.. Hello...if she's a relative of Marta, aren't she and tomas hispanic?
ReplyDeleteJust go with it will all come out in the end.
ReplyDeleteDo we ever get to know how tommy got all the weird pop tarts? Alternate reality he see them in and can some how grab them through to mikes? Also why does he seem slow with mike but in "the past" he has way more wits. Did he just turn off that part of himself to seem harmless or did an accident happen and his sister turning him bring back his mind? Ugh no one is blogging about this its driving me crazy. Lol i know this is an old thread but its all ive found. Whyyyyy tommy you intrigue me and drive me nuts.
ReplyDeleteHey Leslie, not exactly sure where you are in the multiverse of books but more about Tommy comes out. The 'slow' was part acting. Thank you for your support!
Delete-- Spoiler Don't Read If You're Not On Demon Fallout-- Dude...Just why. He's my favorite character. Why you do it. Had to stop reading Demon fallout and it been so hard to pick it back up. I've read zombie and lycan fallout multiple times. But I can't get through Demon fallout. I like to pretend it's not real just so I can enjoy zombie fallout and not second guest his whole character...just...why. Also can you make a list for zombie fallout 11. Only read that one twice but can't figure out who all made it in the end.
ReplyDeleteHope this passage from DF helps - “There is what appears to be watering holes here, but they are made of lies. You would be better served diving into a pool of lava than dipping into these illusions. There are many things here that will appear very much as they do in your world; this is a deliberate attempt to ensnare the unsuspecting. Ironically, the things that appear to offer the most comfort or salvation are the ones you must be the most cautious of. There is no easy succor here; do not look for it.”
DeleteAnd I think there may be a list in ZF12.
I’m loving these books. I found the first few on audible. I work up on commercial roofs so this aids me in keeping my sanity!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying the stories! I've done roofing before and I realize the need to hold onto sanity!
DeleteI was never a big fan of zombie stories, or any horror story for that matter. I watched World War Z and that got me hooked. I started listening to Mark Tufo's zombie fallout series and was hoping to be done on book #3. I do enjoy listening to the books. I do have one question that has probably been asked 20 times since the expectation was for the series to end on book #3. Will that be an end for the series? I am running out of credit with Audible, lol. Great job Mr. Tufo, your books are very entertaining and it does have a lot of funny moments. I wish you the best.
ReplyDelete