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What was the first Western historical novel you
remember reading?
CG:
Jude Devereux's The Enchanted Land, and I was hooked.
PC:
WOW! What a question. I really had to break through the cobwebs
in my mind to think about this answer. I can't pick between LaVryle
Spencer's The Gamble or Hummingbird. But
they were both great books. I loved how the author pulled you into
the story by making you fall in love with her characters. I want to
be like her when I grow up.
What
made you choose to write a western as one of your first manuscripts?
CG:.They
say, write what you know, so my first thought was to write something
set close to home, so I chose Texas as the backdrop for my series.
After having read a ton of historical westerns, I felt comfortable
cutting my teeth on this genre. I was also inspired by authors like
Joan Johnston, Maggie Osborn and Cheryl St. James.
PC:
I love cowboys! I love the sweet talking sexy hero with the
southern accent who likes his women gentle and loving…but usually
has to tame them to get them that way. I love the rebellious heroine
who is molded into the perfect woman - just the kind the hero is
after. I love horses, cowboy hats, chaps, and anything leather… I
like the frilly dresses that make the heroines beautiful, but the
kind the heroes can't wait to take off. I love the bandits,
stagecoach robberies, and shoot-em up scenes where the hero always
prevails. And after a long day of fighting bad guys, the hero can
come home to the woman he loves and cuddle in front of the fireplace
and make love. What's not to love about westerns?
What part of the writing process do you enjoy most
when you write—the research? creating the characters? developing the
plot? providing the historical context?
CG:
Can I say all? Truly I love each facet of writing. I think
developing the plot and creating the characters take top billing
over the research only because doing the research draws me away from
the story.
PC:
Oh, I enjoy research. I love learning things I never knew before. I
love creating my characters and watching them grow in the story. I
love waiting to see how the ending will be (because I'm a panster,
so I usually don't know this). But my favorite part about writing is
the build-up to the first love scene. I totally enjoy writing sexual
tension. I love teasing the reader - along with my characters - when
they think my characters are going to kiss, but they don't. I love
the timid strokes or the sly glances, and the indecent thoughts
coming from both hero and heroine. I love the emotion raging inside
each one when they can't keep away from the other…they want to be
touched, held, and kissed to distraction - but then I will find a
way to not make that happen for a few more chapters. heeheee Yup,
that is the best part of writing for me. Sexual Tension! In fact, a
few of my reviewers have labeled me "Queen Of Sexual
Tension". I love that title and wear it proudly.
Where
do you get your ideas for your stories?
CG:
Oh now, you had to throw in a difficult question, didn't you? Some
of the ideas just pop in my head as the characters tend to be very
demanding in how they want their stories told, but some of the
scenes come from experiences I've either had or from stories handed
down by family members. The scene in Sarah's Brass Token
where Andy pretends the drying sheets are Indians came from a
childhood memory told by my then dentist/boss. Although, I changed
it up quite a lot.
PC:
Usually dreams. I don't dream the whole story, just scenes, but then
the next day when I've had time to think about it, I try to figure
out what kind of story they fit best. In my western, Holding
Out For A Hero, I wanted a tomboy for my heroine, and a sexy
cowboy for my hero. Little by little this story came together, but
it was a wild ride to get there! In my western, Queen Of
Hearts, I got the idea from a skit. I was at work and for
our retreat we had a murder mystery dinner / program. One of the
characters in the skit was a woman doctor, but it was the backstory
that fascinated me. The woman doctor had to portray a man doctor
because the town didn't accept her as a woman. Then I figured out
what kind of hero would compliment her, and that's when I came up
with my sexy gambler.
Will
you continue to write westerns, or will you move to other
genres?
CG:
Historical westerns will always hold a special place in my heart no
matter what project I'm working on at the time. I do have an idea
for another related book to those in my Historical Treasures
Series as I call them, but I've only written three chapters
and have set is aside for a while as other projects are demanding my
attention.
PC:
I haven't written one recently, because at the moment my muse is in
Regency England. But I'm sure my muse will wander to American and
give me more westerns in the future!
Can
each of your share with us what you are working on right now?
CG:
Right now, I'm actually working on another sci-fi futuristic and a
historical fantasy at the same time. Having won the 2008 EPPIE for
best sci-fi futuristic has made me yearn to write another sci-fi
futuristic before going back to my historical western.
PC:
As I mentioned in the last question, my muse is in London England,
1822 and having a splendid time with the Dowager Duchess and her
three sons - the oldest son who is now duke, Trevor, the second
oldest, Tristen, and Trey, the youngest. Currently, I'm writing
Trey's story - The Sweetest Temptation. This story has
tons of humor, which is what I love to add to my stories!
Finally,
what are some of your favorite western romances by other authors?
CG:
Oh that's easy. I love Coulter's Wife by
Joan Johnston, His Secondhand Wife by Cheryl St. John,
The Tenderfoot Bride by Cheryl St. John, The
Rainbow Season by Lisa Gregory, and all of Lorraine Heath's
earlier books.
PC:
There are so many!! But to name a few off the top of my head would be
anything by LaVryle Spencer, Johanna Lindsay, Sandra Brown, Ciara Gold,
and Rebecca Goings.
Thank
you, Ciara & Phyllis, for a great interview, and for sharing our
love of westerns!
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Ciara Gold writes
heartwarming historic western tales set in the 1870's. As a native
Texan, she is proud to bring a bit of her home state to readers
everywhere. This year has been an amazing year as she was awarded a
2008 EPPIE for best science fiction romance for her book, A Noble
Sacrifice, and her publisher, Champagne Books selected her as author
of the year for 2007. Ciara wears many hats and considers herself
something of a Renaissance woman. Besides writing, she also draws
and paints and makes a living teaching high school art. In addition,
she edits and writes articles for a local community magazine and
still finds time to enjoy doing things with her family. She is
married to the man of her dreams, and they share two lovely
children, a dog and a cat. Visit her at 
