Stuff
Interview with Kathleen McGowan
A Conversation with Kathleen McGowan, Author of The Poet Prince
1. With all of the intricacies of history, art history, religion, and literature, how did you conduct your research for The Poet Prince?
I spent a lot of time in Italy while working on this book, as I felt it was necessary to immerse myself in the culture of Florence as deeply as possible. Despite the centuries between us, there is much of that great city which is unchanged. I was determined to see everything possible that was ever in Lorenzo’s possession. So much has been written about Lorenzo, but so little deals with his inner life. And I became more and more convinced that Lucrezia Donati and Lorenzo were together in one way or another until he died, so I wanted to find as much about her as possible. There is very little documentation on her in any language, so it became more of an intuitive process. I stayed in the Antica Torre, and went to the Uffizi and other museums every day for two weeks to study the art at length, sometimes just sitting in front of it to watch how others responded to it as well. Donatello’s Magdalene never fails to knock me off my feet. She is so wretched, yet crafted with so much love.
2. Has the process of writing changed for you with each book in The Magdalene Line? How?
They are all different experiences, because I become so personally and emotionally involved with the characters. With The Expected One, I wrote that book over a ten year period as I was immersed in all of that research and the story kept changing as new details were revealed and confirmed. The Book of Love was the most arduous process – that was a very hard book to write because I felt a deep sense of responsibility to present the information contained within the Libro Rosso in a way that would be easy to accept – some of those concepts are earth shattering for those who have never heard them before. And I had to cut an awful lot of that book because it was very complex. Further, I have a muse for each book, and those women set the tone for the process. Mary Madalene was wise yet powerful while Matilda of Tuscany was pure warrior queen who would not let me sleep until her story was told to her liking. Colombina was a lovely muse, as was the tragic Simonetta. Poet Prince was the most “fun” book I have ever written. I am now under the spell of Anne Boleyn, and this one is going to be quite a wild ride.
3. You mention spending time in Italy while writing this story. What are some other ways you are inspired creatively?
Art! I always immerse myself in the art, architecture, and literature of the era I am writing about because I think this gives a strong perspective on the social climate of the time. And I dig deeply to find supporting characters and stories which need to be told to explore the theme. To this day, the ghost of Savonarola hangs over Florence, and he is still hotly debated: mad monk or saint? I make those judgments based on their actions: are they fueled by love, passion, faith, ego, fanaticism? Digging into the psychology of these minor characters can take the story into a completely unexpected direction.
4. Are the prophecies written in your words or taken from a text?
The prophecies are written in my words, but they are based on the very real teaching of the Order. Monasteries in Belgium, like Matilda’s Orval (for those who read The Book of Love) were the repositories of these bloodline prophecies for centuries. There is a tradition of female prophetesses within the bloodline, and these were preserved. Ultimately, Nostradamus collected these prophecies from the abbeys and used them in his own collections. He tells his son Cesar in a letter that he had to burn the original source material as “they” were coming after him for heresy. So we have no idea what he burned to save himself and his family, but I think we can assume it was something pretty staggering – and priceless. This is the tragedy of history – much of what we need to truly verify our theories was intentionally destroyed.
5. What is your own personal view on astrology? Are birthdays and star signs directly related to the search for love and finding your soulmate?
I have been a practicing astrologer since I was about 12 years old, and I care deeply about this most ancient and accurate science and art. In terms of soulmates, astrology can help you in that search, but only with the help of a gifted astrologer who can cast real charts. It’s not enough to know that you are a Leo and your love interest is an Aquarius. You have to understand many other aspects of that charge – where the planet Venus was positioned for both of you, where the moon was, etc. All of these elements make a difference in compatibility astrology. That said, I believe that the stars suggest, but they do not complete. Marsilio Ficino was fond of saying that we must control astrology and not allow astrology to control us. Sound advice. On another note, those searching for soulmates do need to find themselves first. When you are on the path of fulfilling your life’s mission, you will open the door for your ultimately compatible soulmate to arrive!
6. Is the book within the book, The Time Returns, a reference to your own novel? Why did you choose to have Maureen be a writer?
There is much about Maureen’s experience which mirrors my own, and I need a protagonist character who had the freedom to travel extensively and be her own boss. This is one of the blissful opportunities that come from writing. Also, Maureen has to put herslf out in the public eye to defend her work at great risk, and I think that is a good touchstone for a modern reader to examine. Does the reader believe that Maureen is really in jeopardy for writing controversy? Because she is, based on my own experiences.
7. How has the creation of the character of Maureen affected you and your spirituality?
Maureen is an alter ego for me, a character I can use to explore my own feelings about this work that I do through her. In an amazing “life imitates art” kind of twist, my own life has begun to echo Maureen’s in a strange way, for example I met my own “Berenger Sinclair” while doing research in France – in Rennes le Chateau, to be precise. The deeper I get into the writing of these stories, the more committed I become to serving the message of The Way – of love, charity, peace and community. These women I write about become very real for me as I write about them, as if they were sitting in the same room, looking over my shoulder and correcting me when I’m wrong. Sometimes I “see” a scene completely formed in my head, almost as if I am watching television. This happened in the sequence where Lorenzo and Colombina meet for the first time in the forest. I saw it as a witness, and I transcribed what I saw!
8. Do you have a favorite piece of Renaissance art and why? Of poetry?
My passion for Botticelli was one of the things that fueled my passion for this book. Now, choosing a favorite was difficult to begin with, but it became even more challenging as I began to dig into the hidden symbols, stories and mysteries behind the art. If forced to choose one, it would have to be Primavera. But there is an extraordinary series of frescoes in the private chapel of the Medici Palace, commissioned by Cosimo and painted by Benozzo Gozzoli, that are some of the most magnificent works of art I have ever seen. A ten-year-old Lorenzo is painted as The Poet Prince in a stunning reproduction of the parade he makes his debut in on the Feast of the Magi. As for poetry, I fell in love with Lorenzo’s poetry and if space had allowed would have included it within the book. Few know that Lorenzo was considered a poet of extraordinary talents, and had he not been burdened by politics, we would likely be studying his literary works alongside Dante. His poem written after the death of Simonetta is hauntingly beautiful, and his poetry for Lucrezia Donati is bittersweet to say the least.
9. The words heretic and heresy come up often in the book. Can you talk a little about your own definition of these words?
A heretic is anyone who opposes the doctrine of the Church, but it evolves into something else through history; it often refers to those who are brave enough and/or rebellious enough to assert a spirituality which is personal and separate from the institution of Church. For example, members of the Order (and Cathars) – all deeply devoted Christians – were burned, tortured and otherwise executed because they held beliefs about Mary Magdalene’s role in Jesus’s life (according to Inquisition documents) and because they practiced a form of Christianity that was separate from Rome. Gnosticism was considered a heresy – the belief that humans could have a direct relationship with God - despite the fact that Jesus tells us that this is exactly what we should do! So I am fond of saying that Heresy is in the eyes of the beholder – and that it begins with HER for a reason!
10. What did you learn about family loyalty when researching the history of the Medici?
The Medici were a very close family during Lorenzo’s time and there was immense love between all of them. We know that for certain because even the accounts of their enemies tell us this, not just their friends. The man hired to kill Lorenzo could not do it because he is so overwhelmed by how much love there is within this family. Even in Lorenzo’s most strained moments with Clarice, he is kind to her, even warm and loving, in some of his letters home. There was great loyalty there, and this extended beyond blood. The Medici had many “adopted” members of their family and were equally devoted to those who they chose to allow into their circle.
11. Do you apply the principles of becoming anthropos in your daily life? If so, how?
I try to live by all the principles of the Order and the teachings of the Book of Love and the Libro Rosso. That’s why I wrote my nonfiction book, The Source of Miracles, because it represents the ways I have come to incorporate these teachings into my daily life. Some of them are small, like praying daily, even if only for a short time. Others are larger, like making significant commitments to charity of my time and spirit, not just money. I wake up every day and turn the day over to God, asking for guidance in that I may live with more love and more compassion each day.
12. What piece of advice would you offer to someone who has lost his or her faith?
You are a special, unique, amazing miracle of creation. You are here on earth today because you have something to contribute that is special and only you can do it. Most who have lost faith have been through some kind of terrible emotional ordeal, and they need to allow themselves time to heal, so just take it slow. Start by counting the blessings you do have. Make a gratitude list of the things that you do have, and then make a list of the qualities you possess that can make the world a better place. If you cannot have faith in God or a higher power for any reason, start by having faith in yourself. If you can begin to accept that you are here because you do have something unique to offer the world, you will begin see more light in your life. In the words of Saint Teresa of Avila, “May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May peace be with you today.”
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1. With all of the intricacies of history, art history, religion, and literature, how did you conduct your research for The Poet Prince?
I spent a lot of time in Italy while working on this book, as I felt it was necessary to immerse myself in the culture of Florence as deeply as possible. Despite the centuries between us, there is much of that great city which is unchanged. I was determined to see everything possible that was ever in Lorenzo’s possession. So much has been written about Lorenzo, but so little deals with his inner life. And I became more and more convinced that Lucrezia Donati and Lorenzo were together in one way or another until he died, so I wanted to find as much about her as possible. There is very little documentation on her in any language, so it became more of an intuitive process. I stayed in the Antica Torre, and went to the Uffizi and other museums every day for two weeks to study the art at length, sometimes just sitting in front of it to watch how others responded to it as well. Donatello’s Magdalene never fails to knock me off my feet. She is so wretched, yet crafted with so much love.
2. Has the process of writing changed for you with each book in The Magdalene Line? How?
They are all different experiences, because I become so personally and emotionally involved with the characters. With The Expected One, I wrote that book over a ten year period as I was immersed in all of that research and the story kept changing as new details were revealed and confirmed. The Book of Love was the most arduous process – that was a very hard book to write because I felt a deep sense of responsibility to present the information contained within the Libro Rosso in a way that would be easy to accept – some of those concepts are earth shattering for those who have never heard them before. And I had to cut an awful lot of that book because it was very complex. Further, I have a muse for each book, and those women set the tone for the process. Mary Madalene was wise yet powerful while Matilda of Tuscany was pure warrior queen who would not let me sleep until her story was told to her liking. Colombina was a lovely muse, as was the tragic Simonetta. Poet Prince was the most “fun” book I have ever written. I am now under the spell of Anne Boleyn, and this one is going to be quite a wild ride.
3. You mention spending time in Italy while writing this story. What are some other ways you are inspired creatively?
Art! I always immerse myself in the art, architecture, and literature of the era I am writing about because I think this gives a strong perspective on the social climate of the time. And I dig deeply to find supporting characters and stories which need to be told to explore the theme. To this day, the ghost of Savonarola hangs over Florence, and he is still hotly debated: mad monk or saint? I make those judgments based on their actions: are they fueled by love, passion, faith, ego, fanaticism? Digging into the psychology of these minor characters can take the story into a completely unexpected direction.
4. Are the prophecies written in your words or taken from a text?
The prophecies are written in my words, but they are based on the very real teaching of the Order. Monasteries in Belgium, like Matilda’s Orval (for those who read The Book of Love) were the repositories of these bloodline prophecies for centuries. There is a tradition of female prophetesses within the bloodline, and these were preserved. Ultimately, Nostradamus collected these prophecies from the abbeys and used them in his own collections. He tells his son Cesar in a letter that he had to burn the original source material as “they” were coming after him for heresy. So we have no idea what he burned to save himself and his family, but I think we can assume it was something pretty staggering – and priceless. This is the tragedy of history – much of what we need to truly verify our theories was intentionally destroyed.
5. What is your own personal view on astrology? Are birthdays and star signs directly related to the search for love and finding your soulmate?
I have been a practicing astrologer since I was about 12 years old, and I care deeply about this most ancient and accurate science and art. In terms of soulmates, astrology can help you in that search, but only with the help of a gifted astrologer who can cast real charts. It’s not enough to know that you are a Leo and your love interest is an Aquarius. You have to understand many other aspects of that charge – where the planet Venus was positioned for both of you, where the moon was, etc. All of these elements make a difference in compatibility astrology. That said, I believe that the stars suggest, but they do not complete. Marsilio Ficino was fond of saying that we must control astrology and not allow astrology to control us. Sound advice. On another note, those searching for soulmates do need to find themselves first. When you are on the path of fulfilling your life’s mission, you will open the door for your ultimately compatible soulmate to arrive!
6. Is the book within the book, The Time Returns, a reference to your own novel? Why did you choose to have Maureen be a writer?
There is much about Maureen’s experience which mirrors my own, and I need a protagonist character who had the freedom to travel extensively and be her own boss. This is one of the blissful opportunities that come from writing. Also, Maureen has to put herslf out in the public eye to defend her work at great risk, and I think that is a good touchstone for a modern reader to examine. Does the reader believe that Maureen is really in jeopardy for writing controversy? Because she is, based on my own experiences.
7. How has the creation of the character of Maureen affected you and your spirituality?
Maureen is an alter ego for me, a character I can use to explore my own feelings about this work that I do through her. In an amazing “life imitates art” kind of twist, my own life has begun to echo Maureen’s in a strange way, for example I met my own “Berenger Sinclair” while doing research in France – in Rennes le Chateau, to be precise. The deeper I get into the writing of these stories, the more committed I become to serving the message of The Way – of love, charity, peace and community. These women I write about become very real for me as I write about them, as if they were sitting in the same room, looking over my shoulder and correcting me when I’m wrong. Sometimes I “see” a scene completely formed in my head, almost as if I am watching television. This happened in the sequence where Lorenzo and Colombina meet for the first time in the forest. I saw it as a witness, and I transcribed what I saw!
8. Do you have a favorite piece of Renaissance art and why? Of poetry?
My passion for Botticelli was one of the things that fueled my passion for this book. Now, choosing a favorite was difficult to begin with, but it became even more challenging as I began to dig into the hidden symbols, stories and mysteries behind the art. If forced to choose one, it would have to be Primavera. But there is an extraordinary series of frescoes in the private chapel of the Medici Palace, commissioned by Cosimo and painted by Benozzo Gozzoli, that are some of the most magnificent works of art I have ever seen. A ten-year-old Lorenzo is painted as The Poet Prince in a stunning reproduction of the parade he makes his debut in on the Feast of the Magi. As for poetry, I fell in love with Lorenzo’s poetry and if space had allowed would have included it within the book. Few know that Lorenzo was considered a poet of extraordinary talents, and had he not been burdened by politics, we would likely be studying his literary works alongside Dante. His poem written after the death of Simonetta is hauntingly beautiful, and his poetry for Lucrezia Donati is bittersweet to say the least.
9. The words heretic and heresy come up often in the book. Can you talk a little about your own definition of these words?
A heretic is anyone who opposes the doctrine of the Church, but it evolves into something else through history; it often refers to those who are brave enough and/or rebellious enough to assert a spirituality which is personal and separate from the institution of Church. For example, members of the Order (and Cathars) – all deeply devoted Christians – were burned, tortured and otherwise executed because they held beliefs about Mary Magdalene’s role in Jesus’s life (according to Inquisition documents) and because they practiced a form of Christianity that was separate from Rome. Gnosticism was considered a heresy – the belief that humans could have a direct relationship with God - despite the fact that Jesus tells us that this is exactly what we should do! So I am fond of saying that Heresy is in the eyes of the beholder – and that it begins with HER for a reason!
10. What did you learn about family loyalty when researching the history of the Medici?
The Medici were a very close family during Lorenzo’s time and there was immense love between all of them. We know that for certain because even the accounts of their enemies tell us this, not just their friends. The man hired to kill Lorenzo could not do it because he is so overwhelmed by how much love there is within this family. Even in Lorenzo’s most strained moments with Clarice, he is kind to her, even warm and loving, in some of his letters home. There was great loyalty there, and this extended beyond blood. The Medici had many “adopted” members of their family and were equally devoted to those who they chose to allow into their circle.
11. Do you apply the principles of becoming anthropos in your daily life? If so, how?
I try to live by all the principles of the Order and the teachings of the Book of Love and the Libro Rosso. That’s why I wrote my nonfiction book, The Source of Miracles, because it represents the ways I have come to incorporate these teachings into my daily life. Some of them are small, like praying daily, even if only for a short time. Others are larger, like making significant commitments to charity of my time and spirit, not just money. I wake up every day and turn the day over to God, asking for guidance in that I may live with more love and more compassion each day.
12. What piece of advice would you offer to someone who has lost his or her faith?
You are a special, unique, amazing miracle of creation. You are here on earth today because you have something to contribute that is special and only you can do it. Most who have lost faith have been through some kind of terrible emotional ordeal, and they need to allow themselves time to heal, so just take it slow. Start by counting the blessings you do have. Make a gratitude list of the things that you do have, and then make a list of the qualities you possess that can make the world a better place. If you cannot have faith in God or a higher power for any reason, start by having faith in yourself. If you can begin to accept that you are here because you do have something unique to offer the world, you will begin see more light in your life. In the words of Saint Teresa of Avila, “May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May peace be with you today.”
