Interview with N. S. Wikarski, Author of The Crone’s Legacy

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Crone’s Legacy?

This is the first book in my Trove Chronicles series, which, in turn, is a continuation of my eight-book Arkana Archaeology Thrillers. All the books in both series focus on advanced pre-patriarchal cultures that flourished without chronic warfare, female subjugation, or enslavement. Most of what we know about human history only scratches the surface and tends to glorify dominance at the expense of cooperation. All my books attempt to correct that perspective by showing a more hopeful version of humanity’s real past and its future potential. All preaching aside, the books are meant to be fun adventures where readers can learn the untold story of our forgotten past painlessly.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Crone’s Legacy, what would they be?

There’s just one song that sums up the attitude of everybody in the Arkana: I Am Not Okay by Jelly Roll.

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

Mystery and adventure are definitely my favorite genres to read and write. I’m fond of British Golden Age authors like Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers for their cleverly plotted mysteries. In the adventure category, my vintage choice would be anything by H. Rider Haggard, especially the She Saga. More contemporary picks include Clive Cussler’s Fargo Series and his Isaac Bell Historical Mysteries.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

My current favorite author is Kate Quinn. Like me, she writes stories that foreground female accomplishment in a world that was, until quite recently, hell-bent on keeping women in their place. I loved The Alice Network, The Briar Club, and The Rose Code. I’m currently reading The Diamond Eye, with The Huntress next on my list.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I actually love writing the ensemble comedy scenes in all my novels. Even though my books feature some serious and downright grim material, my central characters are a bunch of eccentrics who belong to a secret society. Given their differences in temperament, letting them play off of one another always gives me a chuckle. In The Crone’s Legacy, I had the most fun writing what should have been a standard fem-jep scene in which a “helpless” old lady gets the better of some musclebound bad guys.

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

I find that if I’m spending a full day writing, I can’t confine myself to a single spot. I migrate among three or four different spaces in my home, depending on the time of day and the time of year. If I’m really stuck on a plot point, I have to take a long walk outside in nature to iron out the problem. I frequently talk to myself during these wanderings. Luckily, nobody is around to hear my monologues.

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

Never surrender your dreams. The world is full of people who settle and “face reality.” That will never be me. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” (Nelson Mandela)

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

You’ve only heard half the story of the human race. My books show what we used to be like and what we can be again if everybody, regardless of social status, wealth, gender, or race, is given a fighting chance to realize their potential.

N. S. Wikarski is the author of the new book The Crone’s Legacy

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