Interview with Kathleen Cunningham Guler, author of the Macsen's Treasure Series

Novelist Kathleen Cunningham Guler is the author of the multi-award winning Macsen´s Treasure Series. Drawing on a long background in literature and history as well as her Welsh and Scottish heritage, she has published numerous articles, essays, reviews, short stories and poetry. The author is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the International Arthurian Society and participates in various writing organizations.

You can visit her website at KathleenGuler.com

Where are you from?

Most people think I come from the UK since that´s what I write about and my heritage is Welsh and Scottish, but originally I came from the San Francisco Bay Area. Currently I am based in the Yampa Valley of northwest Colorado´s Rocky Mountains. Looks a bit like North Wales here.

When and why did you begin writing?

Writing seems to have been a part of daily life ever since I can remember. I was the odd kid who, if I didn´t like the book or story being studied in school, I´d go home and write my own. Maybe I just needed a place for my imagination to go to, or maybe it was a way to give voice to something I had to say but was too shy to speak up otherwise.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When my first magazine article was accepted and the editor asked for more work.

What inspired you to write your first book?

My first book in the Macsen´s Treasure series, Into the Path of Gods, which came out in 1998, began as a result of two events. I don´t remember which came first now. Over the years I´ve read many historical novels. Way back in the early 1980´s I came across one, the title and author of which I no longer recall, that had very unlikeable characters, a thin plot, and dull writing. In a flash of huge egotism, I muttered: I´ll bet I could do at least as good at that. Of course I soon learned it wasn´t so simple, but the challenge of puzzling together a long-past era was (and still is) irresistible. The other event was a dream about a man in medieval garb. This man struck me as someone who could set things right amidst a great deal of turmoil. Imagination again? Who knows? He became the basis for the main character of Marcus ap Iorwerth.

Do you have a specific writing style?

My style has evolved over the years. I used to employ an omniscient third person point of view, but now I much prefer to use a closely-held third person. It´s much more natural to be in one character´s head at a time, and the reader senses what the character feels much more strongly. To "head-hop" from one character to another can sometimes confuse a reader.

How did you come up with the title?

All the titles in the series are taken from dialogue of the Myrddin (Merlin) character. "A Land Beyond Ravens" refers to Britain´s emergence from a state of turmoil once Arthur gains control, pushes the Saxons back and contains them within certain boundaries. Myrddin says: "These lands have fed ravens with our dead for centuries. Arthur...will raise us at last out of that endless ring of killing, and this will become known as a land beyond ravens."

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

The novel portrays how an utterly insignificant and private act can unwittingly cause a profound change, and how that change can be perceived by some as a gift to the world and by others as a horrendous disaster.

How much of the book is realistic?

A Land Beyond Ravens portrays fifth century Britain with all the gritty hardships, political wrangling, primitive technology, tribal thinking, rain and mud as it was. The only part that could be construed as unrealistic—and that´s a matter of opinion—is the use of "fire in the head," aka Second Sight. I believe it belongs within the historical belief system that was still in practice among more remotely located native Celtic people of the time. Claerwen, Marcus´s wife, and Myrddin were gifted with "the fire."

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

The characters are not based on any specific person or persons that I know. I have a long background in history and a lot of the motivations and traits of the characters come from observing the dynamics of conflict between rival factions. We still have a lot of cultures out there in the world today that employ rather medieval thinking, too—another source of observation.

What books have most influenced your life?

In truth, I can´t name any book specifically. There are so many! I think it´s the accumulation of all the books I´ve read that have given me much of the direction in which I´ve gone with my life. Most of them have something to do with history.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I´ve never met him, but I would probably pick Parke Godwin, who wrote Firelord and Beloved Exile. My writing really changed after reading these two books. The way he gets into a character´s voice greatly influenced my own sense of voice. There are only a few novels I go back to over and over to take inspiration from for the writing itself, and these are two of them. Every writer needs that kind of...what shall I call it...oracle? Temple? Muse?

What book are you reading now?

King Hereafter by Dorothy Dunnett. I love her exquisite descriptions, precise dialogue and sardonic wit. An incredible amount of research went into this book as well.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

A few authors that are new to me, not necessarily new to publication, have come to my attention lately. I recently read Mean Spirit by Native-American author Linda Hogan. She will be speaking at an author event in my area in October, which is why I initially chose to read one of her books. I´m delighted to have discovered her.

What are your current projects?

I´m currently re-editing my first book, Into the Path of Gods. My publisher plans to re-release the whole series electronically next year and possibly in trade paperback too, and my editor wanted it spruced up a bit before then. I´m also in the beginning stages of researching a novel that will have several interconnected stories, each set in different time periods.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

Definitely the critique group I´ve belonged to for the last eleven years. The members are remarkably diverse and astute. I have learned more from them than I ever expected and continue to do so. For a rural area, it´s amazing how many excellent writers are here.

Do you see writing as a career?

Absolutely!

What do you think makes a good story?

The characters most of all. They need to drive the story through logical but unexpected twists and turns, upping the stakes with every move. The conclusion doesn´t have to be a happy ending, but it does need to be a satisfying solution.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I´ve learned that human nature doesn´t change. No matter what the times, culture or technology, our nature will always strive to find happiness, comfort, hope, what feels like normal. Culture may dictate what constitutes how that happiness is perceived, and sometimes—unfortunately—that could be vengeance or even war. But like water seeking its own level, human nature can also balance out the bad with the good.

No one in 5th century Britain knows more secrets than master spy Marcus ap Iorwerth, and that makes him a dangerous man. It also makes him a hunted one. For nearly three decades he has manipulated stubborn, irascible kings and warlords in a quest to not only unite them against foreign invasion but to stop them from destroying each other as well. And along with his beloved wife Claerwen, he has followed a greater, even more perilous pursuit—to forge a clear path for the fulfillment of Merlin the Enchanter´s famed prophecy that one day a great king will take command, the king known as Arthur of the Britons.

Now, with Arthur at last on the brink of adulthood and already showing great promise as a leader, Marcus discovers that the emerging Christian church is gaining enough power to dangerously shift control of Britain. At the same time Claerwen, gifted with second sight, is plagued with strange dreams that connect inexplicable doom to both Arthur and a long lost grail sacred to Britain´s high kings.

As foreboding mounts, Marcus struggles to prevent the church from crushing Arthur´s chances of becoming an effective king. But how he goes about it sets up the very doom that Claerwen sees. Will she be able to stop him? Or will her visions send Marcus to his own doom as well?