Interview With Author Colin O’Neill
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am Colin O’Neill. I live in Ireland, surrounded by the beauty of the County Down hills, mountains, lakes and coastline. I am blessed to be married to Nicola and we have two amazing teenage daughters. (Yes they are genuinely amazing even though they are screenagers.) My writing has evolved from writing poetry which has touched on growing up during the Troubles as well as other important issues, such as life and death, love and loss. I still write the occasional poem but I developed into writing short stories and novellas. I never published any of my writing because I never believed that it was something that any other person would enjoy reading. Writing became my private therapy and helped me deal with the ups and downs of live. I’m still not sure about calling myself an author and I guess that will depend on whether my first published work, The Seekers, does well.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first book is called The Seekers. I would describe it as an epic fantasy adventure. It tells the story of two sisters, who go looking for their friend and stumble upon a portal into an ancient Irish Kingdom which has had all life and hope devoured by an evil witch with the power of Dark Magic. It is full of action and challenges and tests the girls resolve and strength as well as their belief in each other.
Obviously being the father of two daughters, they have been a big part of the inspiration. I also work in a place called Colin Glen, a magical forest park in Belfast and this became the backdrop for the lost Kingdom of Collin Dubh. I love Irish Mythology and I have always said that more people should be aware of the stories that were borne from our own land. So I have weaved some mythological creatures and characters into the story.
The reason this book came about was because about ten years ago, having read to my daughters nearly every bedtime since they were born, we were away from home one night and I had to tell the girls that I had forgot to bring any books. So I heard those dreaded words, “Just make a story up!” I gulped, paused and started to weave a story based on the things that I knew the most about: My two daughters and Colin Glen where I worked. I am pleased to say that they were captivated by it and so after a year or so I started to write it down and now it is out in the world for all to enjoy.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I work full time so my writing happens at night after everyone else has gone to bed. I usually take the dog, Milo, on a walk in the dark along the damp country lanes. I also bring some of my characters with me. I store them as seeds in my pocket and if I need to figure out a scene, I scatter the seeds on the road in front of me as I walk and watch them flicker to life like the start of an old movie reel. Then when I get home, I just sit down and write.
I also set myself targets. I must write 1500 words a day. Its not a lot and sometimes an hour will do it but if I’m struggling with something it can take up to 3 hours and that can lead to me being pretty tired when I have to get up and go to work the next morning.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are many inspirational Irish authors, including James Joyce, Joseph O’Connor but also the poet Seamus Heaney. Most recently I have just completed the three Donna Tarte books. Her ability to describe emotions and situations would be the closest to Joyce that I have read. I would recommend anyone who enjoys description which ignites your imagination to read her work.
What are you working on now?
I am nearly finished writing the second book in the Chronicles of Collin Dubh series. I am aiming to have it completed by Halloween and get it away to my editor. It will take a few months for revisions and Beta reading so I would hope to have it out by the start of summer ’26
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Hopefully Awesome Gang. My book is currently only available on Amazon but I am currently working on broadening that to include Ingram Spark and others. Being Self Published, I am open to any advice that anyone is willing to offer. It is hard to promote a book!!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Well I’m too new to have any real words of wisdom but for anyone starting, the best best advice is get a great editor, who you trust. I would also recommend just writing the manuscript without editing. Do it as quickly as you can so as your whole outlook on life and on writing has little opportunity to change and therefore influence your writing. When I wrote my first book, it was obvious that I had written a bit then took a break and came back to it. Compared to the parts which were written on a daily basis, they were nowhere near as good. And those intermittent parts required the most amount of editing and reviewing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just write now and edit later.
What are you reading now?
My Father’s House by Joseph O’Connor
What’s next for you as a writer?
I will complete the manuscript for book two in the series and aim to have that published within the next six months. I will probably begin to plan out book three and of course ensure that I am maximising exposure for book one.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would just bring one. Ulysses by James Joyce. If I am not rescued by the time I finished reading it then there’s a good chance that I am not going to make it!
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