1. If you could work with any author who would it be?
Probably Diana Gabaldon. I would love to know her research techniques and also where she learned the Gaelic in her books
2. Who is your favourite author and is you writing style similar to theirs?
Fantasy author T.H. White was always my favorite, but I don’t think my style is similar to his. I hear the voices of poets I have loved in my work. W. B. Yeats and Edna St. Vincent Millay were always my favorites.
3. What’s your favorite part of a book?
Oh, the beginning. It’s like opening a box of chocolates.
4. When naming your characters, do you give any thought to the actual meaning?
Actually, I do. I created a language for my fantasy novel The King’s Daughter and the name of the female protagonist, Tarabenthia, meant “Heart of the Earth.” In my fantasy historical Spirit Awakened, the heroine had forgotten her name and the man she eventually came to love named her Delfi, which was “yellow flower,” for her blonde hair. Names are very important.
5) Where can readers best contact you?
At my Facebook page, MiriamNewmanAuthor, or the contact page at my web site www.miriamnewman.com.
To win an e-book copy of Miriam’s novel, THE EAGLE’S WOMAN, leave comment on the DCL and her page at:
www.thecelticroseblog.blogspot.com
Let us know what you think of the cover!
Miriam’s novels are always articulate and rich in history.
Everyone enjoys working with her at the DCL castle.
Are you currently working on a new book? If so can you give us a hint on what it’s about?
Anna, yes, I’m working now on the sequel to The Eagle’s Woman. It will be Book II of The Eagle Trilogy and is called The Eagle’s Lady. Book I chronicled Ari Bjornsson’s Viking raid on the West Coast of Ireland. Part of the booty he took was an Irish girl, Maeve. Somewhat to his dismay–because she hates him–he finds she’s the one part he can’t sell. In fact, he keeps having to buy her back!
LOL! Has to keep buying her back.. intriguing.
Miriam, I agree with you about Diana Gabaldon. I had the pleasure of hearing her speak in Asheville several years ago. She’s funny! From reading your stories, I can attest that Diana’s attention to detail has rubbed off beautifully.
What a great experience, Susan. The devil is in the details, it’s true–but I love them!
Enjoy your work very much Miriam. 🙂
Thank you, Semet!
I love the cover! I enjoyed the interview, it’s always fun to learn a little bit more about an author and how they come up with names for their characters. Each author has their own formula.
Wasn’t that a rockin’ cover? I owe it to Annie Marshall, cover artist! It’s funny, actually, sometimes I have a name in the back of my mind for years and suddenly it materializes as a character. That’s what happened with Sergius, hero of The King’s Daughter. I’m still in love with that man.
Great cover and interview, Miriam! I like the statement about beginning a new book is like a new box of chocolate. 🙂 Very true. Good luck with the book.
Thanks, Dawn. I didn’t mean to sound like Forrest Gump, but that’s exactly how starting a new book is for me–picking up a piece, never quite knowing what you’ll find but hoping it will be delicious!
I love the variety in your books. Book one was a great read and I can’t wait to see the sequel!
I know that you have been to Ireland and that’s where some of the inspiration for the beautiful lands in some of your books comes from. Are any of the situations in your stories inspired from real life stories from your past as a social worker, or are you an escapist/someone who doesn’t necessarily rely on past experiences and enjoys creating new and different things?
Jean, that’s a really good question. I think for the most part I am an escapist, but when it comes to understanding the motives of the characters I think my background in social work does come into play. Especially when I have a villain, I can find a way to tap into his or her thinking. I think that makes secondary characters more believable, not just shadow people but real live humans with their own motivation, no matter how misguided!
I loved the interview. Your work never ceases to amaze me, ever since I saw your book, The Comet.
Aww, thanks, Clare. That book is one of my favorites, too. I know, I know, it’s like kids–you shouldn’t have favorites. But I do! I’m loving researching the Viking era for this present trilogy, too. It’s all fun.
Enjoyed this interview, enjoyed your stories and their impressive range of themes and characters. Looking forward to reading your next writing adventure.
I’m looking forward to it, too, Pat, and even more to writing the third book of the trilogy after my upcoming trip to Ireland.
I love when authors create their own language and actually put thought into their characters’ names, I think that’s so cool.