Look and Listen

Biography

Growing up in the northern Indiana city of Mishawaka, Todd A Fonseca learned of the Amish culture through frequent family Sunday drives to rural Nappanee Indiana. This small town is home to a large Amish community. Those visiting the area experience the Amish through the town’s shops and nearby Amish Acres. During these early years, Fonseca’s interest in the arts began with music. He became an accomplished accordionist participating in national competitions leading to a #4 placement in 1983. Fonseca has also performed in New York’s Carnegie Recital Hall. His high school career added drama to his resume. Having the role of curmudgeon Mr. Hassler in The Pajama Game, led to being cast as the lead in the production Jack and the Beanstalk. At Marquette University, Fonseca received a Biomedical Engineering graduate degree. His professional career includes numerous positions in medical device companies. He is currently a senior clinical research director for a company researching deep brain stimulation for treating conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease. It is this eclectic mix of experiences with the Amish, the Arts, and Science that Fonseca has drawn upon to create The Time Cavern. For more information visit Todd A Fonseca’s website www.thetimecavern.com.

Inspiration

Growing up, I was one of those kids that did not enjoy books. I remember having reading assignments in school and I’d count the pages to the end of the chapter assigned—it was definitely a chore. Then I read A Wrinkle In Time¸by Madline L’Engle. I was completely engrossed in the story. Before I knew it, I had finished the book and subsequently became an insatiable reader. Years later, I re-read the book and relived not only the wonderment of the story from when I was younger but also appreciated it on an entirely new level as an adult. It was A Wrinkle In Time that inspired The Time Cavern. I wanted to write a book that featured everyday kids, not the jock or the beautiful girl. A book that would let them experience something as grand as their imaginations—but be real. Like Madeline L’Engle, I wrote it as a piece that does not talk down to young adults, but rather challenged their intellect while being entertaining.