[A Fast Five interview with Elizabeth Coldwell, author of numerous romance novels and short stories -- and a fellow contributor to Myths, Moons, and Mayhem.]
BookMusings: “Careful What Your Wish For,” your story in Myths, Moons, and Mayhem, centers around a love spell. What drew you to write this story, with a spell as its focus?
Elizabeth Coldwell: This was one of those ideas that came to me fully formed – the thought that you might have the opportunity to create your ideal lover, and in the process, reveal desires that you’ve been keeping secret. A spell seemed the easiest way to make this happen, because people love the idea that there’s a spell out there which might help them attract things into their life, whether that’s love, money or some other kind of material success.
BookMusings: What sort of research went into this story?
Elizabeth Coldwell: The story didn’t demand a great deal of research. I looked up a couple of websites that claim to offer simple spells which can be performed with everyday objects – the kind of site that would probably have anyone who’s seriously interested in paganism or witchcraft throwing their laptop across the room in disgust. But I wanted to get the feel for a love spell in terms of how it’s worded, then set about creating a spell for Josh to recite as he conjures up his dream man.
BookMusings: What does your writing space look like? Books and notes everywhere or neat and tidy?
Elizabeth Coldwell: Though I work from home, I don’t have a dedicated home office. Instead, I colonise a spot on the sofa, so there are no books around me but also no mess. The only thing I have to contend with is the cat occasionally sitting on my keyboard, presumably in an attempt to edit my prose.
BookMusings: Where can readers learn more about you and your work?
Elizabeth Coldwell: My blog is here, and I’m on Goodreads.
BookMusings: What other projects are you working on?
Elizabeth Coldwell: I have a couple of things sitting on the back burner at the moment, but I’m about to start on an MF mediaeval romance, which will involve plenty of research to get the historical details as accurate as I can. I have the storyline and characters worked out, so I’m hoping to have fun with it.