Can you tell us a little about how you started writing; was it something you have always wanted to do? Yes, I started out as a songwriter writing lyrics/poetry. I didn’t get serious about writing stories until later in life.
Who or what has been your biggest influence as a writer? Celtic mythology and the ancient Celts are the biggest influences for me.
Your work is very popular with readers and reviewers; how does it feel to have such positive recognition for your work? It feels great to have people appreciate something that took a lot of time for me to create. I write to please myself and hope other people like it.
What do you consider to be the key elements of a great story? Characters that stand out and a unique plot make a great story in my opinion. Even if the writing is not so good, if I like the characters and the story, I will keep reading.
Could you tell us a little about how you develop your characters? Who has been your favorite character to write? The most challenging? One thing I do when developing my main characters is give them a sun sign. That helps me with their personalities. I have this great old book called Sun Signs by Linda Goodman that details each sign, even separating men from women. It’s hard to pick a favorite character, but I had fun re-creating Nimue from the King Arthur legends. Since in the legends she was the one who gave King Arthur Excalibur, I made her a blacksmith and skilled swordswoman. I also gave her a different background because I wanted conflict between her and Morgaine. I had a lot of fun with that one. The most challenging character to create was probably Aedan from my soon-to-be released Cat’s Curse. In the Welsh poems, he is called ‘Aedan the Treacherous’ so I had to make him a fierce warlord and a likable hero.
Please tell us about the projects you are currently working on; what can readers expect to see in the coming months? I have been busy and have three books coming out in 2009. Cat’s Curse, the first book in my Dark Goddess trilogy will be released from Awe-Struck on June 12, 2009, Night’s Daughter, the prequel to Of Water and Dragons, will be released by Awe-Struck on July 3, 2009 and Beltaine’s Song, the second book in my Dark Goddess trilogy will be released by Awe-Struck on November 14, 2009. I am finishing up the third book in my Dark Goddess trilogy titled Winter’s Requiem and hope to get it to my publisher by June.
Hollywood came calling and asked for one of your books to be made into a movie. Which one would you choose and who do you see playing your characters? Yeah, I wish that would happen. I actually thought White Rose of Avalon would make a great movie for the Sci-Fi channel. Every once in a while they show a really good fantasy. I think the characters would have to be played by Brits for that authentic Brit accent. I can think of a couple musicians I think could play a couple parts. Tuomas Holopainen from the band Nightwish would make a sexy Lancelot. I always thought Amy Lee of Evanescence would make a great faery. My Fae women don’t have accents because I think that is a human trait so an American could play that part. I thought Clive Owen made a sexy King Arthur, but I wonder if Gerard Butler could pull off that part.
Summertime…sun, heat and tans. What is your favorite Summer time treat to snack on? Here in Arizona it gets to 115 or higher so I have a cool snack that I love—fruit chillers in raspberry and peach.
Where can readers find more about you and your books? I can be found online at www.kelleyheckart.com.
For fun: You are able to meet one character from any book, who would it be and what would you do? Jamie Frazer from Outlander. I would find a way to lift up his kilt. At a Celtic festival, a handsome guy in a kilt taught me the proper way a Scottish maiden lifts up a man’s kilt. She does it with a demure dip or curtsey. The American way is to just yank it up.
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Buy link for my books: http://www.king-cart.com/Awe-Struck/category=Kelley+Heckart/exact_match=exact
Excerpt from Cat’s Curse:
He turned around and strode with great arrogance back to his fire pit, striking the blade with the flint rock in angry thrusts. After watching him for a few moments, she approached him.
“Do ye have more insults for me?”
“No. I just cannot stand to watch you make a mockery of fire starting.”
“I can start the fire,” he insisted, turning back to the fire pit.
She watched him struggle again with the stone and blade, trying not to laugh.
“Please, allow me to assist you. It is much too cold tonight to be without a warm fire.” She did not understand why she felt compelled to help him and reached for the dagger she carried on her belt. His cold blade touched her throat before she could blink. Three times now his blade touched her throat and she wondered if it were a portent. “I need my dagger to start your fire.”
He eyed her with suspicion, but withdrew his blade from her throat.
“Ye live alone?” he asked, giving her room to start the fire, but he did not sheath his sword.
“Yes.” She noticed how he bit back a derisive retort.
Cardea held the stone with the sharp edge facing the blade and struck the blade in one swift movement. A spark shot out and the dry peat began to smolder. She struck the blade one more time and a flame rose from the peat, sending out warmth.
“You have to strike the blade in one swift movement with the stone to create a spark. Rubbing it like you were doing only wears the stone down. And it is best to strike the blade with the sharpest edge of the stone.”
“I have a capable pair of eyes. I saw how ye did it.” The bitter tone of his voice revealed his irritation toward her.
“I did not intend to offend you.”
“Good night to ye.” He waited for her to leave the fire before sheathing his sword. Keeping his eyes on her, he stoked the flames.
She stepped toward him and he jumped up, moving away from her. “Do not touch me.” His eyes turned an angry shade of dark blue and an aura of torment surrounded him. “I wish to be left alone.”
Cardea bristled at his surliness, thinking him to be the most arrogant man she’d ever met. “I will take my leave of you now, but you are in my territory so I imagine we will see one another again whether you approve of it or not.” Fuming, she stomped away before he could respond to her announcement. She had even lost the desire to drink his blood. His behavior puzzled her for no man could resist her legendary beauty and charms, but she had noticed a small glimmer of desire in his eyes, leaving her awash in bittersweet feelings.
She wondered why she could not touch him and why he was filled with so much torment and rage. Such a man excited her because of the mystery shrouding his spirit. For once in her long life, she stayed away from a choice bite. Cardea crept through the forest, hunting, but could not take her mind off of the strange, handsome man.
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5 Responses to “Guest Author Day with Kelley Heckart”
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Hi Kelley,
Thanks for being my guest author today. What got you interested in Celtic lore and myths? The new series sounds wonderful. Just what I enjoy.
Raine D.
ty for inviting me over raine and wow i am more and more interested in ur books cant wait to read more
Hi Raine,
Thanks for having me on your blog. I’m trying to remember what drew me to the ancient Celts. I have been reading about them for a long time. lol
I think it was the mystery surrounding them, their link to magic and the faery realm. Also, though they were a warrior society, women were treated with respect and were very strong willed. My favorite stories are about the Irish Fianna who were fierce warriors, but also skilled poets. My favorite gods/goddesses are the Irish Tuatha de Danaan. In fact, they are entangled in the lives of my characters in this latest series.
Note: Cat’s Curse was supposed to be available today at Awe-Struck, but there has been a slight delay. It will be there soon.
Slainte,
Kelley
Your excerpt just make me want more.
Thanks for all the nice comments on my spotlight.
Kelley