

My fellow Abingdon writer,
Ariel Allison, is awaiting the October 1 release of her first novel,
eye of the god. I was impressed with her writing and fascinated by the history of the Hope Diamond that she incorporated into her novel. She’s graciously consented to join me today for an interview.
RM: Ariel, this is your first novel, but you co-authored a non-fiction book. How has this process been different for you?
AA: Like night and day. Chocolate and vanilla. With non-fiction there is a theme to the book, but each chapter is independent. With fiction, it’s one living, breathing organism. Every little change affects the entire book. But I must say that I enjoy writing fiction a great deal more. I love taking a blank page and scratching on it until a story emerges.
RM: What made you choose the Hope Diamond as the subject for this novel?
AA: In the Spring of 1995, I stumbled across an article in Life Magazine on the Hope Diamond. The two-page spread showed Michelle Pfeiffer wearing the jewel and gave a brief history of the legendary curse. I knew instantly that it should to be a novel. Being the curious gal that I am, I dug around and was surprised to find that although most people were familiar with the curse, no one had done anything with the concept. So I began researching and writing. That was fourteen years ago this spring.
RM: And was
eye of the god your title, or did Abingdon change your original submission to this one?
AA: It’s my title actually. It’s the first title I came up with and it never changed through the editorial process. And I’m so glad they kept it because eye of the god just feels “right” for this novel.
RM: Can you describe what happened when your agent gave you “the call?”
AA: The whole thing happened really quickly. My agent, Jonathan Clements, sent my proposal to Abingdon shortly after ICRS in 2008. Barbara Scott, my editor, replied to him less than an hour later and said she was “extremely” interested. I had a verbal offer that week and a contract not long after. I’ve spent so much of my career “waiting” that to have everything fall into place so fast was a blessing.
RM: How about a little hint for my readers of what
eye of the god is about?
AA: According to legend, the Hope Diamond was once the eye of a Hindu idol named Rama Sita. When it was stolen in the 17th century, it is said that the idol cursed all those who would possess it. But that doesn’t stop the brilliant and ruthless Weld brothers from attempting to steal it from the Smithsonian. However, they are not prepared for Dr. Abigail Mitchell, the beautiful Smithsonian Director, who has her own connection to the Hope Diamond, and a deadly secret to keep.
When all is said and done, and the dust has finally settled over the last great adventure of the Hope Diamond, we understand the “curse” that has haunted its legacy is nothing more than the greed of evil men who bring destruction upon themselves. No god chiseled from stone can direct the fates of men, nor can it change the course of His-story.
RM: What’s next for you?
AA: At the moment there are fifteen novels in various stages of development tucked away on my hard drive. The two that I am concentrating on at the moment both involve mysteries: one from Shakespeare and one from 1930’s New York City. But you’ll have to wait for details.
RM: And any final words of wisdom for my readers:
AA: I think of the quote by Langston Hughes, “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” Dream and do until you wake one day to find it has become reality.
Thanks, Ariel. Good luck with the launch of what I'm sure will be the first of many novels for you. I enjoyed reading
eye of the god, and hope that my readers will check it out.