Continuing a new feature at Here Be Magic - periodic interviews with
the Authors who create the magic. Our next interviewee is Ruth A Casie, whose most recent book is Knight of Runes.
1. Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m a seasoned
professional with over twenty-five years of writing experience but not
necessarily writing romances. No, I’ve been writing communication and
marketing documents for a large corporation. Over the past years,
encouraged by my friends and family, I gave way to my inner muse and let my
creative juices flow. Now I write historical fantasies about strong men and
empowered women and how they cope with unexpected challenges. I hope my stories
become your favorite adventures
.
2. What prompted you to start
writing? I have always enjoyed telling stories, but I kept them in my head. I
would read a story and fantasize about a follow up. But I never thought to
write it down or become an author.
A friend of mine told me she
was writing a book and I offered to help, edit, be a beta reader, anything. We
decided to write a romance series based on the story in her head and the one in
mine. We sat down and helped each other outline our stories, talked about the
characters, and had a great time being creative. She was training for the New
York marathon and doing the college tour thing with her daughter. She just
didn’t have time to write. I went on to finish my story.
Once I found that creative
outlet I couldn’t stop.
3. What’s your writing process?
Where do you write? 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.
With all our children grown and
out of the house, I’ve taken over one of the bedrooms and made it into an
executive office. I love it.
4. What’s your guilty pleasure?
If you’re talking about food it’s ice cream, vanilla. I know, not too exciting
until you put on some hot fudge and whipped cream. I also love to go to the
theater. Living close to New York City, my husband and I try to often.
5. How do you celebrate when
you finish a novel? My family took me out to dinner. My brother and his wife
brought over a bottle of champagne. My grandchildren gave me kisses (any
excuse). I had a smile on my face for days!
6. What has surprised you about
being a published author? I think it was
confidence in myself and my story and knowing I had a dynamite opening line to
my pitch. I also think I needed to find a quality publisher who would risk
going outside the box. Editors and agents kept telling me that there was no
interest in time travel.
7. Do you do a lot of research
for your books? It seems that at every scene there was something to research. I
found myself researching how fast a horse canters and trots and then calculated
how long it would take to drive the same distance. Rebeka holds a PhD in
Renaissance studies so I researched PhD programs and even developed a possible
thesis for her. I even researched where the solicitor in London would have his
office.
The 17th century
annual harvest is a pivotal part of the story. I read about harvest festivals,
games, music, and even banquet meals. I researched recipes and even tried a few
so I could write and make the story sound plausible and authentic.
The fight scenes were a
challenge. I watched YouTube videos and wrote copy as if I was a radio
announcer just to get an idea of the timing and moves. I took a fight scene
writing workshop with Rayne Hall to get understand what worked and what didn’t
when writing a fight scene.
However, the most fun thing I
did was drive a BMW Z4. Well, how else could I describe the look and feel of
the car to say nothing of the joy of the ride. Oh, the things I do for my
craft!
8. Have you ever used an
incident from real life in one of your books? Yes, I have. On a business trip
several years ago I stayed at the Savoy Hotel in London and had tea in the
Thames Room. I fell in love with tea, scone and clotted cream. I put that into
my story.
9. Quickfire:
Favorite TV Show: Dancing With
the Stars
Favorite Movie: Seven Brides for
Seven Brothers
Cats or Dogs? Dogs
Favorite Flower: Hydrangea
Tea or coffee: Coffee
Boxers or Briefs: His briefs
Sweet or spicy: Sweet
Morning person or evening
person: Morning
Favorite food: ice cream
Favorite time of the year: Fall
Favorite song: Smooth by Santana
10. Finish this sentence “I
believe in the Magic of……” of a child’s laugh.
You can’t help but smile.
11. What are you working on
next? I’m working on a historical fantasy set in 1290 on the border between
England and Scotland. In order to save the man she
loves from being wrongly executed and prevent being married off to another, a
woman, born with mystical abilities, must make a crucial decision. Dare she
rely on her knight to find a way to save them both or does she trust her magic
and risk exposure and persecution as a witch?
12. What one question do you
want to ask your Readers today? How much
of the hero/heroine do you want described? Do you want to know every little
thing or do you prefer filling in your own image?
