Ask the Author: Ciji Ware

“I'm happy to answer questions during Historical Fiction Week...” Ciji Ware

Answered Questions (12)

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In the blurb about LANDING BY MOONLIGHT, there is a sentence that states, "she’s fallen in love with a captured fellow agent". Does that imply that the fellow agent is a woman or a man?

Ciji Ware The fellow agent is a man.

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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

Ciji Ware As I mentioned, I was so new to GOODREADS, I didn't even realize people asked authors questions...so SORRY I'm so late on this...but now I'm a couple of books onwards in the last five years. My latest, LANDING BY MOONLIGHT came about because I visited a tiny Resistance museum in the French Alps and saw pictures there of women secret agents who parachuted into France in WW II to join the underground and fight the Nazis. I googled some of their names and was "off to the recessives!"

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How do you deal with writer’s block?

Ciji Ware Good heavens...I was so new to GOODREADS, I only recently see people ask questions. If you still care re writr's block: I am the daughter and niece of professional writers--all of who said "I cannot AFFORD to have writer's block!" In our family, writers WRITE...whether they feel like it or not; just like kids must go to school each day unless deathly sick. Even when I WAS ill for a while, I still produced a new novel in 18 months. It's simply a decision a writer makes to be a "pro" and keep typing...ha-ha!

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You are a most intriguing person. I wish I had the opportunity to talk to you about the things that interest you. There must be a ton of them? So glad to have read some of your works.

Ciji Ware My interests span from loving Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, to cook a la francaise, to architectural historic preservation...to train travel--ANYWHERE!

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Can you tell us a two-sentence horror story?

Ciji Ware Sorry...horror is not my thing. Edgar Allen Poe is as far as I got in the genre...but I know lots of people--like my sister-in-law--LOVE it!

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If you could travel to any fictional book world, where would you go and what would you do there?

Ciji Ware SO late with this answer (was on a horrific deadline for a book that recently came out)...but I would (and did) travel to Cornwall, England as a result of reading and loving Daphne du Maurier novels...

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What books are on your summer reading list this year?

Ciji Ware Sorry, I didn't see this question as I was on deadline for LANDING BY MOONLIGHT (pubbed Ot., 2019 in a huge rush!). These days I'm reading "A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE"; "A PACIFICIST AT WAR" and a number of books for research for Book 2 in my Spy Sisters Series

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Hi! I've read a lot of books, but the one that stood out to me was "MIDNIGHT ON JULIA STREET". I absolutely fell in love with the concept of paranormal tale that I went and bought the rest. I was wondering if you'll be writing any new novels based off that genre?

Ciji Ware Hi Julianne...so nice to hear from you and I'm thrilled that MIDNIGHT ON JULIA STREET resonated with you. Interestingly, I've published two months ago a sequel-of-sorts to it, THAT WINTER IN VENICE where the character, Dylan "the woo-woo real estate agents" plays a part near the end of the book. I have always been interested in paranormal phenomenon, as was my author/father...and I explore the science of what I call "genetic memory"--a concept I came up with twenty years ago that is currently being PROVED via the study of epigenetics...so the VENICE book is not paranormal in the usual sense, but it takes place in New Orleans and Venice and might be of interest. I am about to start Book 4 in this Four Seasons Quartet, THAT SPRING IN PARIS, and I don't know, yet, what elements might turn up! (Book 1: THAT SUMMER IN CORNWALL, spinning of A COTTAGE BY THE SEA; Book 2, THAT AUTUMN IN EDINBURGH, spinning off ISLAND OF THE SWANS/no paranormal in that biographical historical). So I will report how the PARIS story develops. The terrorist attacks Nov. 13th impacted the story I "thought" I would write, so have to do some re-thinking. Thanks for getting in touch, and I really appreciate hearing my "baby" JULIA STREET was to your liking. It was my first NY Times bestseller and has a particular place in my heart. Happy holidays to you and yours! xoxo Ciji

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Hi there, I have not yet read any of your novels. I just noticed that they have caught my attention because I have marked several as "to read". That led me here..to your Goodreads profile. So...if you had the choice which of your novels would you read first? I am looking forward to diving into your suggestion! Thank you. Melanie

Ciji Ware Hi Melanie!

If you love historical novels, why not start with my first: ISLAND OF THE SWANS, based on true events, about a Scottish duchess who becomes beloved of two men and a political powerhouse in the Court of George III during the American War of Independence....it's set in Scotland, England, and the Eastern United States. OR, if you love a mildly paranormal tale (my husbband calls it my "woo-woo" novels), MIDNIGHT ON JULIA STREET, set in New Orleans, pre-Katrina, was my first NY Times bestseller...and A COTTAGE BY THE SEA, set in Cornwall also has fans who love the blending of past and present. Finally, if contemporary fiction is your favorite, my latest might appeal THAT WINTER IN VENICE, set in both La Serenissima and New Orleans post Katrina and truly a tale of two cities at risk of disappearing forever as the water rises, and two globetrotting strangers--a costume designer and a hard-nosed environmental reporter-- who share a destiny they could never have imagined... Let me know your decision! I am always so interested in what readers are drawn to....all best for the holidays! xoxo Ciji

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Hi, my name is Cintia and I'm from Argentina. Being a writer is what I want the most in this world, nothing makes me happier than writing, but I'm more and more frustrated with each passing day, because I've been blocked for 3 years. And it is not that I have an unfinished story. I have NOTHING AT ALL. A blank page in front of me, that only makes me sadder... Is there a way to overcome this? How do you handle it?

Ciji Ware So sorry I didn't see this question ...and the simple reason was: I was busy finishing a book ( THAT WINTER IN VENICE ) that came out September 19th and then I went on the road promoting it. I will tell you what my father--who was a writer and supported a family of five--said to me when I had a term paper due in 8th grade: "Sweetheart, writing consists of writing....putting the seat of your pants on the chair and your hands on the keyboard and DOING it. No excuses...no drama...just DO it. That's what a professional does....I consider it a job," he told me, "like working for the telephone company. You have to "clock in"--sit there--and do the work that's expected of you. In my case," he added, "it's producing a thousand words on the page each and every work day. Period." I took his advice, cut out the drama about writing, and have produced 13 books during my 25 year career. Hope this helps... and all best in the coming New Year! xoxo

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