Interview with Helen Scott Taylor

Good Evening today I have Helen Scott Taylor with me and her wonderful book set in the lush Cornish countryside with an excellent excursion to Ireland.

Hi I’m Hollie and I’ll be interviewing you this evening for Coffee Time Romance.  I have just finished reading The Magic Knot I must say it was lovely to read about a place I recognize even if it is only the Tamar Bridge. I must admit I love the idea of the pisky’s still living in Cornwall.

But it isn’t just Cornish Piskies, you have built a whole world around Celtic magic. Are you planning more books in this series? And will you use some of the same characters?

I’m currently writing a sequel to The Magic Knot featuring Michael O’Connor (The Magic Knot hero’s twin brother) as the hero. Many of the characters from The Magic Knot appear in the second book. I have plans for further books in the series as well. I like to use settings I’m familiar with, so Michael’s story takes place in Cornwall and Wales. When I was writing The Magic Knot I had fun visiting The Wicklow Mountains in Ireland as part of my research. There is a wonderful Palladian mansion in the Wicklow Mountains called Powerscourt, which was my inspiration for the Irish fairy queen’s mansion.

If you could have lunch with one of your characters which would it be and why?

This might sound like a strange choice, but I’d choose Troy, Niall and Michael’s father. He only has a minor role in The Magic Knot but, of course, I know a lot more about him than is revealed in that book. He is a fascinating character who’s lived an incredible, tragic life. He has a larger role in the next book when I reveal more about his past and his powers. I’m looking forward to writing his story soon.

Niall and Michael are a pair of very sexy fairies. What made you decide to write about twins that are as different as chalk and cheese?

The characters came to life in my head as they are, without me deciding they would be a certain way. I think I partly conceived Michael as the ‘naughty boy’ as a foil for Niall, to demonstrate Niall’s good qualities. I did wonder how I’d turn Michael into a hero in the second book. But he surprised me with his strength and willingness to show his metal. When I wrote the Magic Knot, I had no idea what nature of being Michael really was. I think readers will be surprised to discover the truth he hides beneath his fun-loving façade.

If you could make your book three dimensional, which sense would you add and why?

I’m a kinesthetic person, so I’d have to say touch. This would make some of the scenes very interesting. J

Ana, being a leprechaun is the size of a child. Do you think she will be able to find happiness in the newly reformed Cornish Troop?

Ana is an Earth mother type of character—she raised Niall. She is wise, patient, and the ideal nanny for children. In the second book, she finds the perfect role within the Cornish Troop. J

The magic knots are obviously a major part of life for the fey. Why did you place such importance on what can so easily be lost or broken?

The Magic Knots are symbolic of the three fundamental parts of all sentient creatures: mind, body, and spirit. Although the three linked rings can be lost or broken, this only represents how easily the important components of any creature, fairy or human, can be damaged. Humans who carry their ‘Magic Knots’ inside themselves can still be damaged in mind, body, or spirit. I loved the idea that lovers exchange their Magic Knots, entrusting their mind, body, and spirit to the one they love, representing the depth of their joining and commitment to each other.

What were your favorite authors as a child and now as an adult?

I was pony mad when I was young and devoured any books about ponies or horses. I particularly enjoyed the Silver Brumby books by Elyne Mitchell. Nowadays I have eclectic tastes. I don’t have time to read as much as I’d like. When I do, Regency romance is my favorite comfort read. I enjoy urban fantasy, but I don’t read much paranormal romance because I like to keep my ideas original and not have them influenced by other authors’ ideas.

Do you have any hobbies?

Writing pervades most of what I do. I like to travel—but it’s usually for research. I like to walk—but I’m usually plotting in my head while I walk. The only thing I do purely for pleasure is to read.

What in your opinion makes good chemistry between leading characters?

I like to read about unlikely matches. That’s why, when I started writing The Magic Knot, I wondered what sort of heroine would be the most unlikely match for Niall—and opted for an accountant heroine. But even when the hero and heroine are very different, there must be facets of their characters that complement each other. Niall might be a knife-wielding, motorbike riding, exiled fairy, but because of his leprechaun touch of luck he plays the stock market and understands accounts and figures. For a hero and heroine to have a future together, their fundamental values must be the same, so ultimately they will recognize each other’s good qualities. The chemistry really works well when the hero and heroine are able to look behind the surface façade of the other and see the real person beneath.

And because I always fall for the emotionally hurt guy in any group, I have to ask does Jacca find happiness?

Jacca aka Nightshade does find happiness! He has an important part in the next book, Michael’s story, where I reveal more about him and we meet his father. The third book will be Nightshade’s story when he gets his happy ending.

Thank you for joining me today it has been a pleasure talking to you and I’m looking forward to reading the second book in your series. I hope you’ve had a magical Christmas and have a very successful 2009.