Interview with Maria Ian, Author of The Killingfields (The Fourth in The Cave Sun Series)

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Killingfields (The Fourth in The Cave Sun Series)?

Eternal human questions: What goes on inside a person who passionately loves life but must face her almost certain death for that life to have a chance to become a reality? What are that person’s ‘last moments;’ granted, they can last for a long time? What do you do as a third party who wants to help when two parties, who differ from each other entirely and completely, are in a life-or-death race for the same one truth? How does a handful of people defend a broken territory from a very large invading force? It’s doable.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Killingfields (The Fourth in The Cave Sun Series), what would they be?

“The Landing” from the original Alien Soundtrack for Craig Malcault; it’s thoughtful in an inventive, unexpected way.

Alien, “The Covenant” installment sound track, for Moura, is priceless; ethereal brilliance meets horror with wide open eyes.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My favorite genre to read is cognitive neuroscience and ancient wisdom literature in the Tao tradition.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

My next, as of yet unwritten installment for The Cave Sun Series … Coming by 2026.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I loved writing all of them, but Craig Malcault’s deep dive into the subconscious where he comes face to face with what his enigmatic client, Moura, really is, was special. And Craig’s subsequent meeting with Stefan on the beach at dawn, where Craig asks him the one burning, essential question that he’s been carrying with him through life: “Why does Your Honor kill people?”

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Sleep therapy work. It can work wonders for many things, resulting in big Aha! Moments, such as, “I can’t believe I wrote this!” Listen to my podcast if you’re interested in this, the link is on my website!

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

You want to hit a distant bull’s eye on the opposite side, from the edge of the abyss? It’s the mind (spirit, if you will) that lets loose the shot (arrow), not the bow.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

The one factor you never thought would happen is that which does, and it’s your job to find out why. The Cave Sun Series provides great assistance with this.

Maria Ian is the author of the new book The Killingfields (The Fourth in The Cave Sun Series)

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