Local author starts Northampton-based novel that will see main character time travel to coronavirus pandemic

A local author has begun the writing process for a new novel surrounding a time traveller who comes back to present day.

Natalie Osbourne Thomason, who has previously had four non-fiction paranormal books published, has turned her hand to fantasy during the coronavirus pandemic.

The 54-year-old is hoping her time travelling story set in 2051 will provide a form of escapism for readers as the main character comes back to 2020 in an attempt to stop the virus spreading.

Natalie who is from Pattishall near Towcester, said: “The idea came to be two or three weeks ago and now I have done the first couple of chapters, but I know the whole story in my head. I dreamt a lot of it.

“The person narrating her is telling her story in 2051 talking about what society is like then and how the Government sends people back in time to stop crises.

“She goes back to the World Wars and changes these and then to illness and virus outbreaks, but she has to research it for many years so it doesn’t affect her own future.

Natalie is hoping the novel, called ‘Our man in Wuhan’ will offer an alternative narrative to the current crisis and give people some light relief.

The novel is based in Northampton but the main character has to go to Wuhan, where the outbreak started, to try and catch the virus and change it.

“In this book there is an answer to the virus and it gets resolved in an unusual way,” Natalie continued.

“It’s a fantasy theme but it has a hopeful message that scientists have the answers they just need time to find them. It has a happy ending.”

Although she still has a number of chapters to write and needs to find a publisher, Natalie is confident that the book will be ready this year.

When it is published, she is planning to donate a proportion of the proceeds to Northampton General Hospital.

Natalie added: “I love the NHS for a number of reasons.

“My daughter has worked at Northampton General for the last three years and she’s being really brave at the moment.

“I’ve had three near misses and they’ve saved my life all three times.

“And my dad worked as a nurse in the RAF for a number of years and he sings its praises.

“Donating money to the NHS will make the book more worthwhile to me.”

Natalie is hoping the book will be available by September, on Kindle first.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you