Book
Title: Timeless Keepsakes A Collection of Christmas Stories
Short Story Title: Mistletoe and Magick
ISBN: 978-0-9910520-0-4
Publisher: Timeless Scribes Publishing
Release Date: November 11, 2013
Genre: historical fantasy
Buy Links:
Amazon:
http://amzn.to/HEDzvM
Blog: www.ruthacasie .blogspot.com
Twitter: @RuthACasie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuthACasie
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ruthacasie/boards/
- How did you come up with the
idea for Mistletoe and
Magick?
The story
is a prequel to Knight of Runes. It is the story of Rebeka’s
parents, how they met and fell in love.
- How long did it take you to
write Mistletoe and
Magick?
This
is a short story which is very different than a full length novel. My
anthology partners and I studied short story writing. After that it
took me about 8 weeks to write the story.
- What was the most difficult
aspect of writing Mistletoe
and Magick?
Short
stories are about 15,000 words. With that limited word count, you
have space to write the main story. There is no room for secondary
characters or subplots. My full length novels are rich with secondary
characters and subplots making short story writing a challenge for
me.
- How much research did you
conduct for Mistletoe
and Magick?
I
really enjoy research. I always find something to add to my stories
to add some realism. I spend about twenty-five percent of my time
researching. In this story I researched the folklore around mistletoe
and druid ceremonies.
- Why did you decide to write
historical fantasy?
I’ve
always been drawn to the past. I find it intriguing, enlightening,
and oh so romantic. The brutality of the ancients’ raiding villages
to capture wives, the sub servant treatment of women, and the custom
of arranged marriages for property, monetary and political alliances
are all historically noted. Put that against the code of chivalry and
you get a great conflict.
Today’s
courting rituals are rooted in medieval chivalry and it was the
medieval area that saw the rise of romance in literature and stage
productions. Even people who lived in the Middle Ages had their
fantasies. I choose to build my stories on their interpretations.
- What is your process for
writing a book? For example, are you a plotter or a pantzer? Do you
start at page 1 and write your book sequentially or do you skip
around? Do you start with your characters or the plot?
I proudly
say, I am a linear plotzer! I start with page one and write
sequentially. If a scene pops into my head I have learned to jot it
down and tuck it away for later. I used to think I’d remember them
but quickly learned I forgot more than I remembered.
I start
with a story idea and then my characters. I do write out their goals,
motivations and conflicts. I do a rough outline of the story to make
certain I know where key points should go, more of a direction rather
than a hard and fast roadmap. Sometimes the side trips I take are
really worth it. Sometimes my characters actually amaze me with how
they develop the story.
- Do you use any techniques,
tools, or aids to help you write?
While I
research I pull out pictures of areas, things, and people, just about
anything that can give me some inspiration. I also develop a playlist
on my iPod as I go along. Sometimes I play the music for inspiration
or help with a difficult section. I find it most difficult when I’m
not in sync with my characters. If I’m not in their head, I can’t
move the story forward. Getting into their music helps me along.
I know
Jennifer Cruise uses collages. I’ve been tempted but haven’t
tried that yet.
- Have you had any "ah ha"
moments as a writer?
When I
started to review my writing and could see the POV changes. I let out
a loud whoop that brought my husband running. Head hopping? I can see
it! He had no idea what I was talking about. He just shook his head
and went back to his office.
The point
is I got it. I realized that I see the story as a movie. There a
multiple points of view in a movie. Once I really understood POV I
found it a challenge to figure out ways to make the point of view
work and I enjoyed writing more.
I also
found that I can’t worry about POV when I write the first draft. I
needed to get the story all down first. Once it’s written I go over
the story for plot and pacing. Then I read it for POV. I love it when
a plan comes together!
- What advice do you have for
other writers?
- First and foremost, keep writing.
It’s like anything else, practice, practice, practice.
- Read your genre and others for
inspiration, understanding craft, and just the joy of a good story.
- Learn all you can about your
craft from multiple sources. No one person has the ‘the way’ for
POV, showing vs telling, or any other craft issue. What works for
one writer doesn’t always work for another.
- Join a writing group. I belong to
several RWA chapters. Some are geographical and others are special
interest. When called upon, the members are eager to help. I’ve
made deep friendships with all levels of authors around the world.
Even when I’ve been heads down with edits or writing I’ve been
able to stay connected.
- Get a critique partner and help
each other. Truthfully, I love to brainstorm an idea or scene. It
really makes my creative juices flow.
- Don’t take rejections too
seriously. You’ll be among some of the greatest authors, Margaret
Mitchell (Gone With the Wind), J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter), and
James Joyce (Ulysses) to name just a few. Rejects (actually I call
them passes) are only one person’s opinion. Many times it’s not
the story but rather they have no place in their lineup.
After
a year of searching, Maximilian, the druid Grand Master, finds the
sacred mistletoe destined for his soul mate shriveled and dead. He
must journey to the Otherworld and tell the Ancestors of his failure.
Ellyn
of Brodgar is an exceptional healer. But each healing kiss depletes
her energy and brings her closer to death. Ellyn needs to find her
own healing power before it’s too late.
Max
and Ellyn are tossed into the Otherworld and have until the third
sunset to appeal to the Ancestors or be lost forever. Together they
find love, and as the last rays of the third sunset slip away, both
are willing to sacrifice their hopes, dreams, and lives for the
other. Do they have what it takes to escape the Otherworld and begin
their life together?
Author
Bio
Ruth
A. Casie is a seasoned professional with over twenty-five years of
writing experience but not necessarily writing romances. No, she’s
been writing communication and marketing documents for a large
corporation. Over the past years, encouraged by her friends and
family, she gave way to her inner muse, let her creative juices flow,
and began writing a series of historical fantasies. She lives in
Teaneck, New Jersey, with her husband. They have three grown children
and two grand-children.
Discover
strong men and empowered women as they face unexpected challenges.
Watch their stories unfold as they encounter magic, danger, and
passion. Join them as they race across the pages to places where love
and time know no bounds. Ruth hopes they become your favorite
adventures.
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