As an author, I find immense joy in weaving “Easter eggs” into my stories—real-world anchors that ground the narrative in the familiar while inviting readers to explore the extraordinary. These anchors exist both within the novel’s universe and in our everyday reality, creating a fascinating interplay between fiction and reality. When a reader encounters these anchors outside the book, the connection between the fictional realm and the real world becomes even more tangible. In my debut middle-grade novel, A Time Traveler’s Theory of Relativity, I’ve embedded several such anchors, offering readers a chance to become a real time traveler themselves, bridging the gap between the pages and the world around them.
One of the most striking examples is the tree adorned with doorknobs that Finn discovers in the book. This whimsical tree isn’t a figment of imagination; it’s a real place! You can find this quirky landmark atop Dorset Peak in Vermont, creating your own memorable, Instagram-worthy moment.
Important Note: If you decide to embark on an adventure to Dorset Peak, ensure you are well-prepared. I recommend bringing a detailed trail map, an ample supply of water, sturdy hiking poles, and, most importantly, a companion. Always inform someone of your hiking plans and expected return time.
The origin of the doorknob tree remains a delightful mystery. It stands proudly on the peak, a whimsical “door set” in Dorset. Vermonters, known for their wit, have embraced this quirky landmark. When I first encountered it, it sparked a series of unusual events, giving birth to a magical system within the story. Who knows what might happen if you find it? Perhaps it depends on whether you are, in fact, a real time traveler.
Another real-world anchor is the old marble quarry, now a popular swimming hole. For years, it remained a closely guarded local secret. However, the advent of the internet has transformed it into a tourist destination, earning a spot on numerous “Best Of” lists. For over a century, marble extracted from this quarry was transported by train along the East Coast, serving as a vital building material. This marble contributed to the construction of iconic structures such as Harvard Medical School, The New York Public Library, the Arlington National Amphitheatre, the Supreme Court, and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
In the novel, both Aunt Ev and Gabi sense a magical presence emanating from the mountain. The Travelers utilize stones from the mountain to remain grounded and prevent accidental time jumps. While this specific quarry is no longer active, the nearby Danby quarry continues to extract and distribute Dorset Mountain marble worldwide. One can’t help but wonder if they are aware of the magical properties they are distributing across the globe. Hopefully, they are keeping track of the destinations of these potentially volatile stones.
Furthermore, the novel subtly alludes to questionable “evidence” suggesting the existence of A Real Time Traveler. Aunt Ev recounts an incident where she was supposedly captured on film, using a cell phone in the background of Charlie Chaplin’s movie. Interestingly, footage from Chaplin’s 1928 film, The Circus, does depict a woman engaging in actions that seem oddly out of sync with the time period. Keen-eyed readers will also notice that Aunt Ev’s initial appearance and penchant for theft are a nod to a particular character in Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time.
These are just a few of the real-world anchors hidden within the pages of A Time Traveler’s Theory of Relativity. As I mentioned in the book, “You can find all sorts of things, no matter where your particular universe happens to lie. You must work for your knowledge, though. It takes time to see the whole picture.” So, I invite you to become a real time traveler, to seek out these anchors, and to discover the magic that intertwines our world with the realm of fiction.
