Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with P.C. Darkcliff
Book Title: Celts and the Gladiator
Released: ARC review - release date 07/13/21
Genre: Fantasy Fiction- historical/mythological
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Celts and the Gladiator?
Darkcliff: I’ve been obsessed with gladiators since I was a kid and learned about Spartacus in my history class. And as the main character of my series, the immortal Rawena, must unleash a plague whenever her heart is pierced, I thought that making her a gladiatrix (female gladiator) could make for an interesting story.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process, or your book?
Darkcliff: Celts and the Gladiator is the sequel of Celts and the Mad Goddess, and the second book in the Deathless Chronicle trilogy. It has the same theme (the struggle to prevent a plague pandemic), and most of the characters as the first book (immortal and antagonized Celts and their goddesses). There’s also a love-struck gladiator, the insane emperor Nero, and a few other sidekicks. It takes place fifty years after the first book and takes the readers to Ancient Rome and Egypt.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Darkcliff: I first think of them as “the protagonist” and the “bad guy/gal” and as I create their arc, their names usually pop into my head. All I need to do then is to make sure that the name hasn’t been used before, and that it fits the novel’s setting.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Darkcliff: I have been lucky enough to never experience writer’s block (touch wood). I guess the secret is to have a passion for writing and write every day, no matter how tired or uninspired I feel.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Darkcliff: Binge-read all kinds of books, but mostly in the genre you’re writing in. Find your voice, create unique plots and characters, but adhere to the genre’s expected rules and tropes. For some reason, people won’t read anything unfamiliar.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
Darkcliff: I lean toward the dark side and love classic 19th and 20th-century horror stories and contemporary dark epic fantasy novels. My favorite author of all time is H.P. Lovecraft.
If "Celts and the Gladiator" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Darkcliff: I have to disappoint you there. I haven’t seen a full movie for years, and most of the actors I know are now probably too old to play immortal yet youthful characters.
What are you working on next?
Darkcliff: I’m editing the sequel of Celts and the Gladiator, which is called Celts and the Fiery Goth and should come out in February. Since it’s the last book of the trilogy, I’m already outlining my new project, a dark epic fantasy piece. Right now, the working name is A Wrathlord’s Curse, but it will probably change a dozen times over.
Find out more about the Celts Trilogy and the author here:
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