PNR: Can you tell us a little about how you started writing; was it something you have always wanted to do?

Aithne J.: Although I’d always been an avid reader, I never expected to be a writer. Then one day I received a writing challenge from a teacher. “Write something from the POV of an object,” she said. I wrote from a book’s POV. The class was stunned. I nearly had a heart attack reading my short drabble. But the experience taught me there were many words waiting for me to express. I’ve been writing ever since.

PNR: Are you able to write as much as you would like? Could you tell us about your writing schedule? What do you enjoy doing when not writing?

Aithne J.: Sadly no. I wish I could sit and write 20 hours a day. Most days the window of opportunity allows for about 2 hours of serious writing. Edits have recently taken a greater part of my writer’s time.

When I’m not writing, I enjoy living in Florida. May seem bland, but I’m still new to the Florida lifestyle—sunshine, beaches and balmy breezes. There is still much to be explored.

PNR: Who or what has been the biggest influence on your writing? Who has been your biggest support?

Aithne J.: Believe it or not, this is a tough question. That’s because I want to give credit where credit is due. I believe my earliest influence guiding me into a paranormal genre is that old childhood standby—Disney.  Two stories stayed with me into adulthood. The Three Lives of Thomasina (1964) and Mary Poppins (1964). Both had touches of paranormal and set the stage for my love of magical worlds.

By today’s standards, I would have to say the greatest influence in my writing has been Diana Gabaldon’s epic time travel series which originated with OUTLANDER. She intrigued me with her plot, prose and wry humor.

My biggest supporter through the process of writing CONCENTRIC CIRCLES was Lisa MacDonald. She is a very talented writer and imparted guidance and wisdom while answering so many of my questions regarding writing and publishing.

PNR: Most authors are avid readers; what is your favorite genre to read? What titles would we see in your TBR pile?

Aithne J.: My mood guides which genre I enjoy next. Recently, I had the pleasure of reading Charlotte Chalmers’ THE MADNESS OF CELIA SUMMERS. I laughed so much my sides hurt. Apparently that day I needed a good dose of humor.

Other times a touch of suspense is called for. My current TBR list includes Maggie Toussaint’s HOUSE OF LIES. I’ve owned it for awhile and haven’t had to time to read.

Last, but never least, paranormal time travel. There are two I’m itching to delve into. Skhye Montcrief’s HE OF THE FIERY SWORD and Sky Purington’s DESTINY’S DENIAL.

PNR: What do you feel are the essential elements of a great story?

Aithne J.: Character growth, strong plot conflict and its resolution. I love a happy ending.

PNR: Congratulations, readers and reviewers are excited about the December 2007 release of IN A HEARTBEAT, a Faery Rosette from Wild Rose Press. Could you tell us what inspired this magical fantasy?

Aithne J.: Writer’s block! Lol ‘Tis true. I was working on another project and was terribly stuck. It was actually the first time I experienced WB to such an extent. So, to resolve the problem I closed my eyes and began typing another story completely unrelated to what I’d been working on. Malik revealed himself. That’s why IN A HEARTBEAT is written from his POV.

PNR: Readers are anxiously awaiting the release of CONCENTRIC CIRCLES, a magical fantasy coming soon from Murmaid Publishing. Could you tell us a little about the project? A sneak peek perhaps?

Aithne J.: Yes, I’m excited, too. I love this story of soul love, danger and adventure. Shayla and Meekal became such an important part of my days while writing CONCENTRIC CIRCLES. Sometimes it was like they were in the room with me. I learned new magical concepts and applications during this time.

Here’s a sneak peek. I’d like to focus here on Shayla’s experience as she learns that Syther (wicked, sadistic wizard) has just heard of her arrival in Glastonbury, England. This is detrimental to his plan to destroy the last of the Chilkwell line—a legacy of Fae living this side of the magical veil. Shayla is present in the room, but invisible.

In an abrupt motion, Syther sat in a wing chair before the fireplace. He crossed his left leg over the right knee and began tapping his boot with the bone wand. Black brows came down in wrath. Tap…tap…tap. Tension presaged each impact with a threat of malice.

Like a roaring waterfall, dread crashed in an overpowering sensation. Shayla was sure this scene would play out in repulsiveness.

Those infernal taps, ominous in their resonance, reverberated in the chamber.

Seamus, gaze focused on the wand, breathed raggedly, following its dance conducted by ringed fingers against a black leather boot.

His voice riddled with imminent threat, Syther said, “I’ve already been told this, Seamus. Perhaps you could enlighten me further?”

Still mesmerized by the wand’s movement, Seamus nodded eagerly. “Woodard was with him and…”

“And?”

Seamus took a deep breath. “A girl. A Fae.”

Shayla crossed her arms to keep from trying to hit the berk. Not just a letch, but an idiot, too. She growled at the frustrating situation.

Sheitan yawned and rested her large head on large front paws, blinking up at the humans.

Apparently, the news incited more anger; it oozed from Syther like venom.

Seamus stepped back, sweat beading on his forehead.

Like a spectral demon, Syther rose from his seat, casting a menacing posture and shadow over the chamber. “There are no Fae left. Only Chilkwell! You lie!”

Seamus, shuddering and shaking his head rapidly, insisted, “No. Never. She could move fast like lightning. She was strong. Ask Dragar!” Seamus’ voice trailed away on the incense-filled air.

“Dragar said nothing about her prowess or being Fae. You lie!”

Shayla could see the aura of terror overcoming Seamus, almost a black, hazy mist. Never having seen someone’s aura, she studied it curiously. It pulsated around him in high energy, spiking outward at the edges. She blinked, trying to eradicate the vision. No, still there. A quick shake of her head didn’t change the situation.

Booted feet shuffled back even further. Seamus sent a fearful glance between Sheitan and Syther. “Never, I said. Why lie about that?  Dragar lies by omission,” he insisted, hands flashing in nervous energy as he spoke. “She is Fae. I swear.”

“That’s impossible!” Syther lost his cool, strode across the library and pulled an old tome from a high shelf. Irascible muttering came under his breath. The large volume landed on the desk with a heavy thump. Syther’s nimble fingers flicked the bone wand, twirling it like a baton. Pages flipped in fast motion.

Her eyes locked on the motion of flashing bone. The firelight gave it an eerie glow. The action almost hypnotized her until she realized Syther was reciting a list. Her lips tightened, teeth grinding in stubborn concentration trying to hear.

“Altheworld, de Portham, Radfourd, Blankenshippe, Hayes.” He stopped pacing, hand now gripping the wand and turned to Seamus. “What else can you tell me?”

“She—sh, ugh.” Seamus swallowed audibly. “She had the—the nimbus.” 

The white wand came up. Syther’s lip rose in an angry sneer. “Scathergal.”

PNR: Readers are captivated by the magical world you have created. Tell us about the challenges you face in world building with paranormal elements and making it work with the ideas you have in mind for the progression of your characters and stories? How much research is involved?

Aithne J.: First, the research aspect. Glastonbury, England was an easy choice. Its history is filled with magical legends beyond those of Avalon and King Arthur. Researching the Chalice Well was a true pleasure. The timeless nature of its existence and the cultural old ways of believing in the sacredness of the wells tied in perfectly to my story.

The challenge then became integrating modern characters with a history of spiritual pilgrims traveling to the Well, its healing waters and the essence of magical power it provides for the story.

A magical power that required Guardians. That’s where the Chilkwell family comes into play.  

PNR: Could you give us some insight into the mythology of your Fae that is the thread to connect your novels?

Aithne J.: When I first read this question I wondered if Black Bryan Chilkwell was guiding you as you created this interview. ;o)  He is the Chilkwell Legacy Sire and main thread of connection that will tie all my novels together.

Black Bryan’s character became one of the most important. It’s funny looking back now because he drove me nuts in his ‘muse’ persona. Wanted to arrive in the story sooner. These events occur in CIRCLE OF FIRE and I was sure everything needed to meld perfectly first. He bugged me so much that one day I sat down and wrote his arrival at Glastonbury. ;o) Then I promptly shoved him off his horse. Yes, that precious moment is still there waiting for readers to experience.

His story will be told in the next book, CIRCLE OF FIRE, due for release next year.

However, since he is an immortal changeling Fae Prince, he does make an appearance in CONCENTRIC CIRCLES, chapter 13, Separate Ways. During Meekal’s blackest story moment he shares his worried thoughts with his ancestor. Here’s a tidbit from Black Bryan after Meekal passes out from drinking too much Glenfiddich single malt Scotch whisky.

“Ah, my son. The forlorn heart. Love is a splendor, once ye accept its potency.” Black Bryan tapped his own chest, and then rested his fingers on the pendant under his shirt. “I never told ye because I could only hope ye’d be so lucky.”

The concentric circles sterling piece against his skin marked him as Fae royalty and provided the only means for separation from his soul love that proved bearable.

He shook Meekal’s shoulder. “Up ye go, son. A man must walk to his own bed regardless of how buckled he gets.”

Meekal shook with drunken laughter, momentarily coming out of his stupor. “Buckled? Geez Bry, you’re a walkin’ thesaurus.” He belched, sending the recycled aromatic Glenfiddich outward.

“Regardless, it’s still just plain ole drunk. Chaeli will flay us both.”

Meekal grinned drunkenly and pressed an index finger to pursed lips. “Our secret.”

Yes, CC is an endearing love story. But having close knit family around for support is a nice touch.

PNR: Do you feel your writing is character driven or plot driven? How do you balance these two elements?

Aithne J.: Definitely character driven. As far as balance goes, I find that if I listen to my characters and follow along, the story resolves itself. Some would say I’m a ‘pantser’ when I write. I prefer the term ‘flying in the mists’ because as a paranormalist it fits much better.

PNR: You write wonderfully endearing characters; could you tell us about their development? Who has been your favorite character to write?

Aithne J.: Thank you. The process of development happened over a period of several months. I actually had to go back and change some of the story because several of the characters grew.

Shayla most particularly. She went from being angry and frightened about her magic (she was forbidden by her mother to use magic at a young age) to wielding her power with confidence.

Meekal was fun to write because he has inner strength, gentleness, an off the wall sense of humor and a potent determination to protect the sacred power of the Chalice Well. It was amazing to put him in a deep love situation and watch him mature into that role. (I had to write him as a 15 year old first outside of CONCENTRIC CIRCLES for back story purposes.)

Favorite? Yikes! I liked the way Shayla’s character progressed. So, I’d have to say she comes out on top of my fav list. She’s a pleasure to write and still often surprises me.

PNR: The folklore of the Fae has long captured the imagination of readers. Why do you feel it is such a popular theme in the paranormal romance genre? What is it about this genre that captures your imagination?

Aithne J.: Ah, the broad spectrum of human imagination…  

“You’re saying magic doesn’t have limits,” Shayla said, in a thoughtful tone.

“Aye. Einstein said, ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge.’ Magic follows the limitations of human imagination.”

“Boundless,” she murmured.

Couldn’t resist inserting that magical moment. I love the possibilities of creation open to writers who give us stories about the Fae. Individual interpretations truly know no limits. I believe that’s why the genre is so popular. Readers love an escape. Add in romance, magic and adventure you have a marvelous combination.

PNR: How would you describe the sensuality level in your books? Do you find it difficult to write love scenes?

Aithne J.: The sensual scenes between Shayla and Meekal are hot. In the story everything happens very fast, so I wrote them with high intensity because when a relationship burns so quickly, in my mind it wouldn’t be mild mannered.

No. I find them rather easy. If something doesn’t work or look right, I can insert changes later thanks to our wonderful computers.

PNR: Your work so far has been written in the fantasy genre; is there a genre you haven’t written but would like to try?

Aithne J.: I tried to write a story without magic once. A wicked witch walked into it midway through. Lol! It’s currently resting in a file on my flash drive.

In all seriousness, I’d love to write a straight historical—no time travel or ghostly apparitions. It would most likely center around the Civil War. History is one of my great loves and I’ve found the real stories of people’s struggles for survival during this time period amazing.

PNR: Could you tell us about your current projects, what can readers expect to see in the coming months?

Aithne J.: I’m currently working on three projects.  There are two novellas:  TIME CROSSED LOVERS and TWIN HEARTS ON HONEYMOON ISLE. (2 stories with a family connection)

The third project is CIRCLE OF FIRE, a follow-up to CONCENTRIC CIRCLES. It will be a time travel. Shayla must go back in time to learn the beginnings and essence of her ancestral magical line. Much will be revealed about her and also the Chilkwell legacy. Yes, Meekal will be there, too.

CIRCLE OF FIRE will be released in 2009.

PNR: Thank you, Aithne, for taking time out to talk to us. Where can readers find out what’s new and how can they contact you?

Aithne J.: Thank you, Dee for this interview. I enjoyed your questions very much. ;o)

Readers can find me at my webpages:

http://www.aithnejarretta.com

http://www.myspace.com/black_bryan_chilkwell 

I would love to hear from anyone befriending me on MySpace or leaving a message in my guestbook on my website.

 

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