Interview Katherine McGibbons

by

Toby Heathcotte

1. Where did the inspiration for Beltaine Fire come from?

The inspiration for Beltaine Fire came from a dream I had. It was one of those dreams that, rather than fading with time, becomes more and more real. I finally had to put it down on paper. Beltaine Fire is the result, and that dream is now a pivotal point in the story.

2. What is the source of your fascination with Ireland’s past?

I’m Irish American on both sides of my family. I remember being a young child and begging my grandmother to tell me stories about her grandmother (my great, great). She would go on and on about her grandma Katie's lilting voice and how she was always laughing and dancing. That interest in my ancestry turned into a desire to find out as much as I could about the country and culture of my family.

3. What is the most memorable event that happens in Beltaine Fire?

I think the most memorable event in Beltaine Fire, as the title suggests, centers around the Pagan festival of Beltaine… and involves fire. I don’t want to say much more or it will spoil the surprise.

4. What is the most challenging part of writing a novel for you?

Characterization. These people are real to me. I want them to be real to the reader. Putting my characters down on paper so that the reader will see and understand them, as I do, is very important to me. There should be no misunderstanding about who these people are; if there is, it is my fault and I have done the reader and the character an injustice.

5. If you could, which of your characters would you bring to life and why?

That would have to be Aguaine. She is Griffon’s grandmother, and an elderly priestess of the Pagan Goddess, Danu. She is a wonderful character, very proud of her race and her family. I love the image of her I have created in my mind and would love to meet her in person. I see her as this ancient, tiny, elf-like person. Bright-eyed and intelligent. Very much the matriarch. She does meddle a bit too much, but isn’t that one of the privileges of aged?

6. How do you believe your writing expresses your inner life?

I began concocting stories at an early age. I was a shy child and found that I preferred the company of books to that of other children. It wasn’t long before I discovered that books, and my own imagination, could take me anywhere I could possibly want to go. I had a very rich fantasy life from an early age. And that is what I like best to write about... fantasy, time-travel, romance.

7. Which of your heroes have you fallen most in love with and why?

All of them! Seriously. What can I say, these men have sprung from my own psyche, and they are, flaws and all, my ideal man (men).

8. What promotion do you find most effective and why?

Because I am a new author, and Beltaine Fire is my debut novel, I am still trying to navigate my way through this promotional thing. However, I believe that the internet is going to hold the key. For instance, believe it or not, I sold my first copy of Beltaine Fire several weeks before it was released. A reader discovered my web site and started corresponding with me. She asked me to let her know as soon as I was set up to take orders online. So, as soon as I had my PayPal account ready, I let her know. Two weeks later I had my first sale. What a kick that was!

9. What do you like least about the writing process?

Plotting. I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer. I like to let the characters take over and determine the direction of the story. But I also have to do some plotting, or the story just stagnates.

10. Do you have other novels in print?

Beltaine Fire is my debut novel, however, I've contracted with Wings for my second novel, Deirdre: The Long Journey Into Legend, for release in February 2005. Deirdre is a time-travel fantasy romance which is also set in ancient Ireland. I am also working on an Historical Romance, tentatively titled Longphort, which has to do with the Viking invasions of Ireland in the 9th century.

11. What are your goals for your writing career?

To write as much as possible. Currently, I manage to complete one novel per year, what with a fulltime job and a family, which includes four grandchildren, there isn’t time for more. Once I retire, I would like to get that up to four or more per year.