--Interview conducted by Serena Polheber
Gotta Write Network is very happy to introduce multipublished author Ciar Cullen. She has written Mayan Nights, which is currently available from Samhain publishing. Not only Samhain carries her books, but so do Amber Quill Press, eXtasy Books, and Loose Id.
Serena: Wow, I just looked at your 'coming soon page' and I'm amazed! Don't you also work at a college? How in the world do you find the time to do all of this?
Ciar: Oh, you know, I'm not sure when I wrote those books. I think the spirits did it when I was sleeping. I've slowed down a bit, trying to concentrate on longer, more involved works. Anyway, to answer your question, I write in obsessive spurts, when a story screams to get out. Then it's every evening, all weekend, etc. I haven't done that in a few months. It's feast or famine with me. And yes, I have a full-time job.
Serena: I'd love it if you could tell us about the favorite of your available books.
Ciar: Oh, you would have to say "available." I really like The Ghosts of Key West, which will come out (again) in 2007. Hmnn, Lords of Ch'i is out in June, and I like that LOL. And The Biggest Kahuna in May, that was fun--that comes out from Loose ID. But hey, I'm my own worst critic, trust me. Still, The Princes of Anfall (re-released this fall from Samhain) is probably still closest to my heart since it's the first thing I ever wrote.
Serena: I've read Mayan Nights and was blown away by the amazing plot. How in the world did you come up with this idea?
Ciar: How nice of you to say that! I have no idea how I came up with that idea LOL! The characters just told me what was going on. No, seriously, I do have a "thing" for the story within a story--in the case of Mayan Nights, and ancient Jaguar King telling the story of what would come in the future--about the discoverer of his tomb. The sequel (related but freestanding) is called The Serpent House, and pretty soon I need to finish that one because it comes out in December. That is even a bit more quirky, with the gods of the Mayan Underworld playing a role, interfering with our hero and heroine...
Serena: How much research did you have to do for this book?
Ciar: For Mayan Nights? None. I have vacationed in the area a good deal and aside from making up a few place names, the rest involved no research. I'm too lazy! The book that's taken perhaps the most research is a non-contracted dark paranormal called Love's Alchemy, which involves the immortal "children" of Sir Isaac Newton and his experiments. That was a ball! That's the one currently under consideration with an agent...who asked me to make it twice as long :o)
Serena: You mention being an archaeologist in Greece for some time, how much of that ended up in Mayan Nights?
Ciar: Yes, I spent a number of summers and a few years in an area called the Argolid, where I worked on a prehistoric cave site. Too young and stupid to understand how great I had it--mornings working, afternoons eating, swimming, sleeping, a little more work, and then wonderful evenings. Sigh. Well, that work doesn't directly translate to Central America/Mexico of course--the ancient cultures were very different, but I think it allows me the ability to get the "feel" of a dig right, especially a small one--what kinds of tools, environment, concerns, etc. I thought I was taking huge liberties by writing about an intact grave (so accessible), but recently archaeologists in the Riviera Maya area uncovered a very similar situation. I did do some brief work at one Mayan site (consulting as the animal bone expert, believe it or not!).
Serena: Speaking of Greece, any chance that you'll be writing about Ancient Greece?
Ciar: Actually, I threw a little of Greece in Three Nights in Greece from Amber Quill. But I've yet to do a book that really delves into Greek archaeology or the setting in depth. I'll get there! I think having a background in archaeology simply helps you get the "feel" of a dig right, more or less.
Serena: Can you tell us a little about your upcoming books?
Ciar: Next up is The Biggest Kahuna (May 9, Loose ID). That's a novella about a sexy shape shifting shark god (I'm not kidding). He's the brother of the volcano goddess Pele, and it was a ball to write this short, fun, sexy piece. Lords of Ch'i is more fantasy, with elements of paranormal as well. My hero, Jetre, is a warlord who falls for his enemy's sister (and old theme) and is about to break his 10-year oath of celibacy. That story incorporates theories of energy (Ch'i) flow and a slightly different picture of how the universe works. Then...hmnn...I think Samhain releases The Princes of Anfall, which did well for me the first time it was out. Looking forward to editing that and getting it ready for print!
Serena: What is it about the paranormal that draws you to write about it?
Ciar: You know, I'm not really a huge para person. I know that sounds silly, since most of what I've written has involved para elements at the very least. I think I write more about ideas of the divine, of redemption and salvation, of loss and rebirth--and those themes often (but don't have to) bring up para elements. It's fun to put aside boundaries! I'm an Irish Catholic, and that theme pops up again and again for me.
Serena: What made you choose to write under the pen name Ciar Cullen?
Ciar: I made a switch at the beginning of 2006 from my own name mostly for personal/work-related reasons. It's a spin on my mother's name--an old Irish name.
Serena: What's your favorite part of writing?
Ciar: I love nothing more than to be captivated--to be in the moment, with time passing by unnoticed, totally engrossed in the story, falling in love with the hero. I'm in a dry spell, waiting for that to happen again. I simply can't push it. Those folks who say write x number of words or pages a day, no matter what...that won't work for me. I have to care and believe...
Serena: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Ciar: Retired from my day job, hanging with my husband (who's a photographer), perhaps writing, living in a little condo near the beach somewhere... God willing--geesh, I'll be pushing 60 in ten years. Did you have to bring that up?
Serena: What is the best advice you've gotten and what advice would you like to share with aspiring authors?
Ciar: I've had so much advice, some of it wonderful, some of it terrible. I'd say that it's important to be patient with yourself and with this industry. I was kinda pushed into writing some hotter stuff than I was comfortable with, and it took me a while to find out what I wanted to do...I'm still working on that. You have to write for the market, but you can't fake it. If you're killing yourself to write a vampire shape-shifting erotic sci-fi ménage for a new hot print line or some such, and it feels ridiculous, stop! It will be ridiculous, and the publishers probably won't like it. To thine own self be true! I also would encourage folks not to sweat the small stuff. I'm working on that. A lot. It's making me sweat.
Serena: Is there anything you'd like to add?
Ciar: Well, only that I have a loop where folks can win prizes and such, post excerpts, and chat a bit. You can join via my website at http://www.ciarcullen.com/
Beyond that, I'd simply like to thank anyone who has taken the time to read any of my little stories. They are for you, and I'm very grateful.
©Serena Polheber & GWN
May 12, 2006
