Thanks to Amy Raby for tagging me in this blog-go-round. I’m supposed to answer ten questions about my work-in-progress. I have several of those, but since this is called The Next Big Thing, I thought I’d talk about the book I plan on publishing next.
I know that Bridgebuilders will be published on Wednesday, but I’ve been talking about that one for ages. So this time, I’ll talk about the next book on my publishing conveyor belt.
When you’re done with that, hop over and read about Amy’s Next Big Thing here.
THE NEXT BIG THING Q&A
What is your working title of your book?
Moon Over Donamorgh
Where did the idea come from for the book?
This story incorporates a couple of my favorite tropes. I wanted to write a fantasy where the witches were the good guys, something that would disprove the Middle Age belief of ugly hags boiling babies and casting curses. I also wanted to explore the idea of people living together in cooperation and love for each other.
What genre does your book fall under?
It’s a fantasy that takes place in our world, during the Regency period.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Oh gee, this is always hard for me. I don’t pay a lot of attention to actors, so I don’t know many names. But let’s see…
Seamus: I’m stuck already. Somebody who is Celtic and sexy. Wild blond hair is a plus. I’ll take suggestions!
Tessa: Ginnifer Goodwin
Verbena: Annette Benning
Quinn: Jude Law (This one was easy. He’s perfect for the role)
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
In Regency-era Ireland, a Pagan landowner is kidnapped, and it’s up to a band of witches and fairies, along with an untrained empath, to rescue him before they lose their home forever.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’ll self-publish it – I really enjoy this method of getting my stories out to the public. I hope to have it out shortly.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
About a year.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Juliet Marillier’s Bridei Chronicles. Donamorgh is not quite as epic as those, but it has similarities. Also The Burning Time, by Robin Morgan.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Ireland is always an inspiration! I love writing stories that take place there. I’m also fascinated by the history of witches, mostly in the western world. Our societies have demonized them, but really, they were just wise and observant people who understood how the world around them worked, and put that knowledge into practice. This book gave me a chance to explore some of that.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
There’s a lot of emotion in Moon Over Donamorgh. The characters have deep feelings for each other, within very many relationships. Besides the usual man/woman romance (there are two of those in MOD!), there is a strong mother/son relationship, master or mistress and servants, and within all of them, there are deep friendships and abiding trust between people (and fairies, too).
NEXT WEEK, VISIT THESE AUTHORS TO READ ABOUT THEIR NEXT BIG THINGS! (I’ll remind you!)
Jordan Bernal is someone to keep an eye on! She has the same fascination with Ireland that I do. She also loves dragons. Now just imagine putting those things together, and you’ll love what Jordan does with it!
Lani Longshore has a wicked sense of humor. She likes science fiction. She likes quilting. When she combines those three things, you will not believe the results!
Alica McKenna Johnson is my diagonal-twin! I used to live in Tucson – she moved there. She used to live in the Bay Area – I moved there. She used to teach Bradley® Childbirth – I teach it now. And we both write books people like to read! Alica is the author of Phoenix Child.
Marlene Dotterer 
Your next big thing sounds like an intriguing read. Wishing the best as you work the project to publication.
Thank you for the tag! I love Ireland, witches, and faeries. So just as you publish Bridge Builders- which I have been not patiently waiting for you get me all excited about another book! No fair 😦 LOL
Oh yeah! I can’t wait to be able to buy this! And you have such a great synopsis. I LOVE Gennifer as Tessa. When it comes to Irish actors, I have a serious love of Cillian Murphy, but I have no idea what he would look like blond. He is a formidable actor, though, and quite capable of doing Seamus justice. Peter Macdonald isn’t bad either, but might be too old now. Johnathan Rhys Myers just oozes sex appeal and devilish charm, but again, he’s not a blond. (Blond Irish boys are hard to find, come to think of it. Maybe you should hire a Scot who does a good accent, like Gerard Butler.)
I googled all your suggestions, Rhonda. Not bad at all, but … no, I can’t see any of them as Seamus. We’ll have to keep thinking about it! Thanks for playing!
I like that witches are good guys in your book. I chuckled at the “conveyor belt”. I have three books on mine and one that keeps hopping out of a storage drawer trying to get on the belt.