"Karnival" is the first in a series of novels about Klieg's and its residents.

INSPIRATION
When I set out to write this novel, I honestly planned on creating something quite different. My inspiration was the brilliant actress, Teri Garr. While watching a rerun of Star Trek in which Miss Garr appeared, I recalled the first time I had seen the episode more than a decade before. Miss Garr had made quite an impression upon me at the time. I began to imagine a young boy becoming obsessed with an actress on television, and travelling to Malibu to live beneath her porch.

I had no outline. I began the story just as it now appears in "Karnival." However, once Heath was adopted by the Cliffords, the novel took on a life of its own. I felt his adoptive parents needed a history. I had already spent several seasons at the C.N.E. - and made acquaintance with many unique carnival troupers - thus Klieg's was born. 		  
My intention was to use the Karnival as a piece of history, and yet it quickly became the focus of the novel. Quite frankly, I was stunned myself at what unfolded! By the time I completed the first draft, there was no actress as I had envisioned her, and no porch in Malibu under which Heath could live (though I do believe Ms. Garr would be a perfect choice to play Louise Markham).

An acquaintance has suggested that these characters and events exist in the infinite, and that I somehow became a conduit for their stories. Whether or not this is true, I like to think that it is so. Each is so real to me, that it is easy to imagine that they do, indeed, exist beyond the confines of a book cover.

Once the first draft was finished, the task of completing and refining a fully-conceived world began. I made every effort to ensure that each character was individual, and no plot thread was dropped. Attentive readers will notice dozens of tiny interconnections and "identifiers" - numbers and colours, to name but a few.

Nearly two decades have passed from conception to publication of this novel. In that time, it has evolved through countless drafts and, after its purchase by Gutter Press in May 2000, from "third person" to "first person" narrative - the brilliant suggestion of my editor and publisher, Sam Hiyate. I am actually quite happy that it has taken this long to find a publisher - I have a much clearer view of the world now - a strong life philosophy - and I believe that this is apparent in the final novel.

Regardless of whether you are reading for fun or analyzing each and every word I have written, I hope that I have accomplished my goal of creating a world that is rich and involving, a visit to which will forever change how you view life.

- Michael Mortensen


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author wishes to thank:

Madalene, for her enduring belief.

For thoughts on plot and characters: Zareh Oshagan; Lorene Stanwick; Leonore Johnston; Sandra Morris.

For financial assistance: Bradley; J.S.; the Ontario Arts Council Writer's Reserve.

Consultants: Lynne Martin, R.N.; Reg Brick, Forester, B.C.

My deepest gratitude to Bruce Walsh, who took on the challenge of finding a publisher. And to Cathy Baran who presented the original manuscript to Sam.

An extra-special "Muchas gracias!" to Elliot Stanwick.

My best wishes and kindest regards to Ms. Teri Garr, my initial inspiration.

- Michael Mortensen