Ciaran Matheson inherited the lordship of the Ciorram Clan when his father Dylan died. But he also inherited the friendship of the fairie Sinnan-and the knowledge that his father was from the future, brought back in time by magic. Now, warned by Sinnan that the Scottish uprising against the British will fail, Ciaran must decide whether or not to fight by his clan...
At twelve I began to write for fun, which I think is the only real reason to write fiction. I figured it beat reality any old day, and I liked sitting at the desk in my room, pretending to be doing something worthwhile. Daydreaming with a purpose, and gradually I realized I could gain approval for the very thing teachers used to criticize me for in class.
At thirty I looked for something to do besides acting and changing diapers.
Throughout this time I'd kept writing, though sporadically, and about then I began a second novel. Gradually an inkling came there might be a possibility of becoming published. I sure wasn't any good at anything else I might have done locally. On January 27, 1987 I bought my first copy of Writers Digest. Another turning point in my life. For the next several years I wrote manuscripts, sent the work out, joined writers groups, and workshopped my novels with the Green River Writers in Louisville, KY. After seven years I sold my first short story, Culture Control, to the now defunct Cosmic Unicorn. Immediately afterward I was hired by the local newspaper. From there I went to writing actor interviews for Starlog Magazine , a job for which I was singularly qualified.
I also wrote some video sleeve copy for Fox Home Video. That stands as the most highly paid time per hour I've ever spent, and I loved it even if it did attract sympathy from misguided folks who thought it less honorable than scribbling poetry for no money. I was right there with Liberace, crying all the way to the bank. All the while, though, I continued to write novels and novel proposals to send to New York.
Twelve years, twelve completed novel manuscripts, and eight proposals for uncompleted novels after buying that Writer's Digest, I sold a novel. Sold from an outline, "Son of the Sword" was my thirteenth completed manuscript. Lucky thirteen.
