A Restless
Knight Interviewd by Kristi Ahlers Congratulations on your first release. For those readers that have not been able to read your debut effort could you give a brief description of your book? It is a Scottish Medieval Romance set in the year before the rising of William Wallace. Even people not familiar with that period of Scotland’s history, will have an instant recognition factor if they’ve seen Braveheart. It’s a clash of cultures, as an arrogant Norman knight must claim a remote glen in Scotland, part of Edward Longshanks’ quest to control the country. The people of the area were of Pict blood, one of the ancient races of Alba?Auld Scotland. They were a matriarchal society, meaning lands and titles passed through the distaff side?female bloodlines. Women were afforded the right to own property, to control their lands and to choose their husbands. Also, they were Pagan. Lady Tamlyn MacShane was raised in their ancient ways, traditions and beliefs, where the mysterious, the magickal side of her country was never far from her everyday life. She faces the coming of a man called the Black Dragon, the King’s Champion, determined to claim her land, claim her. It’s a clash of religions, of countries, and how love has the power to conquer all. I know that you are of Scottish descent. How much of an influence did this have on your development of your voice and story? You have created a very unique and strong romance. Can you tell the readers what was your inspiration? I am Scot, but went to school in the States. My mother and father separated when I was a baby, so I spent the school year with her, holidays and summers with my father and grandfather. My grandfather is a retired historian. His passion, you might say. He hoped all the grandchildren would follow that path. He used to teach us “summer school”, giving us history and lore. While other kids were playing, swimming or riding horses, we were stuck for half a day in his classroom. He’d even set up part of the library to resemble a classroom with old-fashioned wooden desks! He went through Greek and Roman Mythology, Aesop’s Fables, then real history. Of course, I didn't get faerytales from him come bedtime. I heard tales of James Douglas, William Wallace and the Bruce. I was nine before I understood fully that Douglas and Wallace were not "great uncles"! That love of history, of the people that existed, lived and loved in the places we now walk, always fired my imagination. It gives a reality to my stories, a heritage of storytellers. Instead of telling tales by fireside, I do it through books and short stories. Your novel includes some pagan rituals, which added depth to the novel. Did you have a hard time selling this to editors when trying to find a home for your book? I figured I would. Editors are often looking to hit a middle ground with Paganism, trying not to offend some readers. So I went in with the anticipation of having them either cut or to tone the scenes down. I hit it lucky with Kensington Publishing. I must say the topic never came up with my editor, the marvelous Hilary Sares. After the final editing, she said she often lacked patience with Pagan rituals in romance fiction because they come across as flat, fake. The only comment she made about the rituals were they were very well done, believable. Again, my strong background in ancient history and lore permitted me to bring authenticity to these passages. So I was delighted I met no opposition to them. How long did it take before you sold your first story? How did that feel? Do you have any advice to give writers trying to break out? Hard to say how long precisely. I took a break during my quest, due to illness. I started on this book in 1993 (before Braveheart’s release mind you!), when I was doing research on my family history. At that point, I was working for my grandfather as his research assistant and ghostwriter. He would translate old family papers from Gaelic and then I would rewrite them in a more readable form for family archives. I came across a story of my great-great-grandparents about 26 generations back, in the time of William Wallace. I say story, because it was written in storyteller form and some facts were not verifiable. It made me wonder if I wasn't looking at a "tale" written by a family member about his ancestors as much as full factual history. The puzzle bothered me and I spent several years trying to verify things. I kept hitting the same wall. It was more fable, than fact. So then, I decided a 15th Century story is pretty amazing in itself and just accepted it as lore. One night, I began dreaming about the woman in the story. It kept coming to me in pieces. I was doing well with it, then I became sick. I put it aside and did another novel, The Invasion of Falgannon Isle. While A Restless Knight was really my third book finished, it was the first one sold. As I was waiting to go to contract with Invasion at Dorchester, Hilary wanted A Restless Knight. I suddenly had to rush to get it finished. So it was eleven years total, but I had been so sick and stopped writing at one point for four years. I decided to go back to it in January 2004. I signed with my agent January 2005. Dorchester asked for the full on Invasion in March and I signed in September, selling them three books in a series of seven. During that period of negotiations, I ended up selling the historicals to Hilary at Kensington. So while Knight is my first book out, it was the third book finished. I sold to two publishers in less than two years. As for how I felt…I have been stressed! Everyone kept asking if I was dancing with the contracts. It took a period of about three months before I actually let it sink in. I’ve been writing for so long, I was still writing, so it didn’t seem too different. Then I saw the scan of my cover. From that point on, it’s a constant worry over a thousand details. It’s all happening too fast now. Advice to those working: Listen. So many people, me included think we have all the answers. We don’t. Listen to fellow writers, especially listen to your editor when you get there. Love your book. Don’t just not like them?really love them. If you don’t love your books, how can you convince anyone else to love them, too? Study the market, learn the publishing houses, learn the editors and agents. Also, be prepared with that second and third book. Today editors cannot wait a year or two for you to come in with a second novel. Recognise this is a business and they are not there to make your dream come true; you’re there to make them money. Find a good critique partner and good writer support group. They are invaluable. Network, get to know people. Never miss an opportunity to connect with other writers?published and unpublished?agents and editors, but remember never to use people. Don’t hold grudges over rejections. The agent that rejects you today, may be your friend two years down the road. Be supportive of your fellow writers, read their books, do reviews. If we don’t support each other, then Romance as a whole loses. Make your deadlines. Eat well, take plenty of vitamins, exercise and SLEEP. Many will know you as a reader and reviewer. Who are your favorite authors? Did reviewing help you break into writing? Did it make it difficult? Fav authors?Anne Stuart, Lynsay Sands, Jayne Ann Krentz, Maggie Davis (aka Katherine Deauxville), Teresa Medeiros are those writers I started reading and stayed with, each very different. More recently?Kate Angell, Robin Owens, Tori Carrington, Melanie Jackson and Katie Macalister. I enjoy a little of everything. Writers I enjoy now, Leanne Burroughs, Cathy Spangler, C.J. Barry, Sue-Ellen Welfonder and Dawn Thompson. Did reviewing help me break into writing? No, but I do think it aided me by writing daily. Like finger exercises on a piano. It forced me to get better, arrange my thoughts. And yes, in ways, it did make it difficult. A lot of reviewers are working to make it as an author. A few have been cool since I signed my contracts. Some writers have a bad opinion of reviewers?not without cause in some cases, mind you?and they tend to dislike a reviewer because of that. You were a part of an anthology with a new publisher called Highland Press. Can you tell us a little bit about this project. Why did you feel compelled to participate? NO LAW AGAINST LOVE has three of my cat romances. BAD CAT, GETTING IT IN THE END, and DOUBLE, DOUBLE, TOIL & TROUBLE . They are lighter romances that always have a silly cat involved in the story. This project was special because all the writers donated all profits to Breast Cancer prevention and cure. I became involved with Highland Press, because I believe there are stories to be told that are not NYC commercial. It doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to be published. I am glad to help nurture the alternative choice of publishing for writers, enjoy the work and the outlet they provide me. You have several stories being released in the future with Highland Press. Can you tell us a little bit about these projects and what the reader can expect? Just out, The Once in a Blue Moon Anthologies--BLUE MOON MAGIC (RIDER IN THE STORM) and BLUE MOON ENCHANTMENT (DEVIL IN SPURS). In October, I shall be doing a one-woman anthology of nine cat romances called CAT O'NINE TALES. However, you can get a sneak preview of my anthology as Simon the Cat will show up in Jacquie Rogers’ FAERY SPECIAL ROMANCES. This is her one-woman anthology released by Highland Press just before mine. Come November HP will put out two Christmas Anthologies, Christmas Wishes and Holiday in the Heart. I will have two cat romances in them as well. Do you enjoy writing short stories? How does it differ from writing full-length efforts? Actually, they don’t differ. You have a start, a middle and an end. Only, you have to know where to jump into the plot; there’s no room for backstory. I love novels, never thought I’d be able to write short stories, because if the character interests me enough then I want to know all about them. I thrill to exploring the various stages of growing passion and love between my heroine and hero. A novel gives me a broader canvass on which to paint my tale. However, I find the short story is good discipline. You have to be word frugal. It teaches you how to set up the structure of the tale. They are also addictive. I do a short story and 1-2 months it’s in print. For writers struggling, the road often gets hard. The waiting, the disappointments, can be crushing. These stories give you more than just hope, you’re actually putting your talent out there. It’s an exciting experience with a quick return. When you decide to write a book what do you concentrate on first…the characters…plot...setting or is each effort different? I am not one of these writers who outline. Even if I outline it gets tossed by chapter three because the characters take over. I love setting and period, but it’s the characters. The hero and heroine of A Restless Knight came to me in dreams after spending years working on family history and lore. In one book I did, it came from my attending a funeral. I was at the services for a person I didn’t know. I’d gone with a friend and then afterward it was a long ‘social event’. I am a perpetual daydreamer. So I was sitting there watching people moving about, talking with each other, and suddenly I saw the first book for my Seven Sisters series. The book is now the 4th book in the series, with Invasion of Falgannon Isle coming first instead of third. Other times, it’s just a song or a scene from a movie that triggers something. Generally, I don’t write in order. Scenes that come to me then I start to connect the dots. All my stories are very character driven. The hero and heroine have to fascinate me or I wouldn’t waste the time. How important is “support” for a writer. How do you balance your writing career with other parts of your life? Support to a writer is vital. I am lucky enough to be able to write full-time. Even so, I need that foundation of not having to worry about housework or cooking when I’m facing the killer deadlines. You still have to make sure people don’t feel neglected. Sometimes it’s just not easy. I know some friends are upset I cannot go play, shop and have lunch. Right now, I have to concentrate on making sure I hit my deadlines. With 6 novels and 17 anthologies due in 2006-2007, I have to stay focused. It’s not an easy course. Often, I am writing 13-18 hours a day 7 days a week. My family knows this is important to me, so they are wonderfully supportive. Only problem I have is my hubby is seriously jealous of my cover model on A Restless Knight! (LOL). My family keeps me rooted. Reminds me to come up for air, eat, sleep.
Thanks to Kristi for providing a wonderful interview and spotlight on A Restless Knight and Deborah MacGillivray. For the month of July please enter our draw below. One lucky winner will receive a copy of A Restless Knight.
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