Interview with J. Z. N. McCauley, author of The Oathing Stone

What can you tell us about your new release, The Oathing Stone?

The Oathing Stone is the second release in The Rituals Trilogy. Set in modern-day Ireland, an Irish-American woman blessed with fire magic bestowed by a sacred oak tree, marries the love of her life who just happens to be from the time of the ancient Druids. When her magic becomes faulty, and a strange string of events come into play, her world unravels, and she must once again fight for the ones she loves to escape the clutches of a civil war. A battle that spilled out from deep within the Faerie realm.

What’s the last book you read?

Wizard of The Grove (Omnibus: Child of the Grove / The Last Wizard) by Tanya Huff. Highly recommend to every high fantasy reader.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

My lifetime love of stories and art, from my earliest memories, have always driven me to embrace books. I’ve always wanted to create my own stories since my imagination has consistently been my most active ability. Along the way, every story or artwork I’ve enjoyed added to my inspiration to continue to create in various ways but mainly as an author.

What fictional literary world would you most like to visit?

I would have to say Narnia is that magical world in literature for me. Specifically, the peaceful time just after the White Witch was defeated, and I would love to dine with the ruling children at Cair Paravel. (Hopefully, meet Aslan!)

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

I LOVE creating worlds and telling all that my imagination holds. In my mind’s eye, I see the stories unfold almost like a film, and they are so exciting to me that I absolutely must write them down.

What is a typical day like for you?

On top of writing and art, I’m also a mother of toddlers and wife of a husband who works and goes to school. So my typical day is always jam-packed. Family life during the day, then writing and art at night fueled by tea and coffee to keep me going.

What scene in The Oathing Stone was your favorite to write?

There is a faerie battle scene that was so much fun to describe because it consisted of Irish mythological creatures every which way on the battlefield and I could really let loose my main character to use her magic without holding back.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

I have several of those that I repeatedly use off and on, but there is one that is pretty consistent because it helps me remember to believe in myself. “She believed she could, so she did.” So simple, yet so impactful.

J. Z. N. McCauley is the author of the new book The Oathing Stone. 

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