Featuring an interview with Dave Maruszewski, author of middle grade The Dark Beast
Recently knighted squires Raven, Romda, and Ravai are tasked to help a nearby priest. However, this simple errand turns into much more. They cross paths with the Dark Beast. After that brief encounter, they soon realize the Beast’s plans to destroy an entire town. They journey to this town, meeting residents who tell large tales about the Beast. How much of stories are true? The three will find out. The Dark Beast is coming.
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Excerpt from The Dark Beast
“Wow, that was crazy,” Ravai practically shouts.
“Crazy, but true,” says the driver. “But you all look like you could fall asleep.”
“Why do you say that?” says Ravai.
“Well, for one, your friend keeps falling asleep,” he says, and the driver’s friends snicker. “And your female friend hasn’t said a word since we teamed up. Maybe you should rest. We can stop here.”
Ravai doesn’t feel that tired, but he sees the look in Romda’s eyes that it might be a good idea. He acknowledges the stranger’s words, and they stop. It is in the middle of nowhere, trees and small fields all around.
Raven crawls to the nearest log and tries to lie on it. Romda isn’t so easily satisfied. She instead starts to pitch tent and gets out her small bedroll. Her movements are so slow it looks like she won’t be done for an hour.
Ravai continues to talk to the driver. “Turning people into beavers? That’s not possible. You are pulling my leg. How can that be true?”
“It is, I swear,” the driver says.
“How would you know?” Ravai challenges the driver.
“Because my grandfather gave him the rune and spell to do so…and now I serve the master,” the man says coldly.
An Interview with Dave Maruszewski
-What inspired you to become a writer?
My wife and son were the initial impetus. They were the “who.” As far as the “what,” I think it was that I had written and thought up so many small stories, that I built this urge to actually make a book. I’ve always enjoyed story making, even at the silliest, smallest level. I used to be more heavily involved in video game making and there is a lot of opportunity to make the small stories and scenarios. It was/is very satisfying and engaging. However, at some point, I think it just boiled over and I felt that the time was right. All of a sudden, I felt called to do it as opposed to dabbling and having fun with it.
-If you could visit your book’s world for a day, what one thing would you do?
Put on some armor and start swinging around a sword. I’ve always wanted to try on a full suit, but never received the chance. It looks hot, but fun. I’d probably be gasping for air and tired after about 5 minutes.
-It’s two in the morning. What does your protagonist reveal in confidence? (Don’t worry, we won’t tell.)
Romda would probably say, “I’m not sure that I’d be friends with Ravai if it weren’t for Raven. He can really annoy me sometimes.” Don’t worry. She’d probably take him out for breakfast the next day.
-Which of your characters would you go out for drinks with?
I think Ravai would be fun until he gets us in a fight, and I get smacked in the face. I think if it were a chill evening, Raven would be more enjoyable.
-You’re in a tavern, and a dwarf challenges you to a duel. What do you do?
Buy him a beer. They always settle down after that.
-Is there a genre you could never write? Which and why?
Can I say “Cookbook”? It would only be about 13 pages. As far as fiction, I am just egotistical enough to feel that I could learn to write all of them. However, there are types that would be much harder, and I’d have to practice quite a bit. One of my future books is a Mystery, but it is not very in depth like a Death in Paradise episode. For me, that would be hard to obtain that level of sophistication. Science Fiction is always tough for me as well. What are the rules? You have to mentally maintain those rules, and they have to make sense. Manga is also a different thought process. I could do it, but I probably wouldn’t enjoy doing it. Then, my writing would suffer because of it.
About Dave Maruszewski
Dave Maruszewski is blessed with a great family. He was originally inspired to write stories by his wife and son, when they encouraged him to put his bedtime stories on paper.
His stories are created from an accumulation of experiences from careers/backgrounds as a physicist, engineer, teacher, artist, video game designer and software developer. He strives to develop stories with sound moral values that will be enlightening as well as entertaining to youths and adults.
In between writing stories and running his own company, Digital Tumult (DigitalTumult.com), Dave enjoys video games, watching internet videos and hanging out with his family.
Find him online:
Giveaway
Dave Maruszewski will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Thanks for hosting!
I love the cover! The colors and graphics are great!
Thank you. I can’t take credit for it other than telling a talented person what I wanted it look like roughly 😀
Thank you for sharing your interview and book details, your responses have made me want to read this story and get to know these characters even more. Have a great Monday!
You’re welcome, Beatrice. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you so much!! Sorry about the late reply. I thought that I did this Monday, but it doesn’ tlook like it took. I probably forgot to submit it.
Sounds like a great book.
nice interview
Sounds like a great book.
writing a cook book would be fun to do!
Ha Ha! You must be a good cook. Me … ehhhh ;-P
Thank you all for the great conversation.