Why did you decide to write about time travel?
Barnes: From a very young age, I have been fascinated by the concept of time travel, with H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine being the catalyst. Just the question ‘where would you go if you could travel in time?’ conjures up endless possibilities. Within my own book however, I’ve attempted to try something completely different and that’s to give ‘time’, restrictions. A contradiction maybe, but I believe it adds drama, and essentially, originality to the story.

What provided the inspiration for your book?
Barnes: The main inspiration for my book came from my daughter Kelly. I have had an idea for a science fiction book for many years, but have never got round to starting it. However, this all changed when my daughter was aged five. She began to write short stories of her own. One day, she turned to me and asked "Dad, mum has told me that you want to write a book like me, you should write one?" The rest as they say is history. Furthermore, the stories my father has told me about his time in National Service in the 1950s also inspired me, as his experiences were an ideal vehicle into which many of the fictional elements could be used.

The end of the book suggests a sequel, or further parts. Have you planned these already? Do you intend to write more?
Barnes: The ending does give the impression that there could be a sequel, and I have a number of ideas on how it could be developed. The main reason however why I ended the story as I did, was to give each reader the chance to predict for themselves their own conclusion. Currently though, I’m in the early stages of working on my second novel and although the genre is the same as ‘Against Time’ the theme is completely different.

How determined were you to create a fast tempo for the book?
Barnes: My intention from the outset was to indeed write a fast tempo book because I wanted to convey the continual pressure the main character encounters within the story, with its constant twists and turns to keep the reader interested from start to finish and even beyond. Moreover, from my experience, many people of all ages do not have the time to read books that are over descriptive and consequently they lose interest in the story, as a result, many of these books are left unfinished and the story unfulfilled. I wanted to write a shorter story that would keep people engaged throughout.

How important was the romantic element, and Kelly as a character?
Barnes: The romantic element of the main character and his girlfriend Kelly is very important. I wanted the reader to imagine just how difficult his choice is in the story. Should he use time to attempt to save his parents and run the risk of losing the love of his life, Kelly? Or give up the chance of saving them to secure his relationship. I want the reader to empathise with his dilemma.

What are your own opinions of the supernatural?
Barnes: Interesting question this in the context of my book, as only a few people have noticed this. My own opinion of the supernatural is one that is definitely open-minded. I believe that there are certainly things around us that cannot logically be explained and some people have experienced some extraordinary things. Although the vast majority of these can be completely dismissed as pranks etc. others though cannot. Indeed, this includes my own mother’s experience. When only eighteen, she was given six months to live. Whilst in hospital, she awoke in the middle of the night; at the end of her bed stood her uncle. He mouthed the words ‘you will be fine’ and left. The very next day, she received news that her uncle had passed away in the early hours. Was it a dream? Who knows? But one thing’s for sure, fifty years on, thank God, my mother is still alive.