Welcome to our interview for this month! We are with the talented author Madie__Marie, who penned the story, In the Dark of Night.

Dark Fantasy Team: When did you realize that you wanted to be a writer?

Madie__Marie: When I was around 7 years old. Right off the bat, I knew fantasy was where my passion was. I couldn't get enough of books and words. I'd go through journal after journal writing the most ridiculous stories that I would force my parents to listen to. As I read more and got older, my writing matured with me and eventually I was able to finish my first complete novel. Even though life's gotten busy, I still write constantly. Though my method probably makes my readers want to claw at their hair, because I'm simultaneously writing four books that aren't getting pumped out quite as fast. But even so, every time I sit down, I still feel just as giddy and excited as when I was 7.

DF: What is a typical day of writing for you?

M: I'm currently a student at a university so where my day is full of classes, homework, and extracurricular activities, my night is full of writing. After I've finished all of my responsibilities, I'll turn on any song from my writing playlist and get into the mood. Then I'll start! Usually I don't write linearly. So if I've been thinking about a certain scene for hours or days, as soon as I get the time, I'll write that scene. Even if it's the climax to my third book of a series! And that actually helps me make those special scenes better, cause I usually step away from them for a while to continue my main book, and come back with a fresh pair of eyes.

DF: When you write, what comes first? The plot or the characters?

M: Characters. I usually see a piece of art or hear song and get an idea for a character. For example, in one of my current draft of a novel, my main character (and the entire story) all came from Fleetwood Mac's song "Rhiannon". Though the character comes first, as I've gotten more experience with writing, I've learned to balance the importance of good characters and good plot, knowing when to focus on one versus the other. But the character is what the reader sees the world through, including me, so usually they are what come into my mind first.

DF: Which one of your stories was the most fun to write?

M: I only have one completed story on Wattpad, and though In the Dark of Night is so dear to me, my current manuscript for a book titled "The Wraith" was an absolute blast to write. I started writing it when I was a freshman in college, so my humor has developed a bit more than when I wrote In the Dark of Night at sixteen. And of course the plots are much different. One has a girl thrust into a world and a responsibility put in her shoulders with no knowledge of how to carry it, the other is an older, more experienced assassin who's done just about every job in the book. Two very different vibes.

DF: Do you have a favorite character in your story?

M: Though Selene is one of my favorites for her flaws and morality, Cyan holds my heart. Later in the series, you'll learn more about her and her past and the sacrifices she has made for the world. And through all of the weight she's carried and the torments she's gone through, she is still witty, charming, clever, kind, and strong. She is what Selene strives to be. Really, she's what I strive to be too.

DF: If you could share one thing about your story that your readers wouldn't know, what would it be?

M: In my first book of the Chronicles of Time series, In the Dark of Night, I wrote Selene to be HATED. I wrote her for you to scream at and slam your head against the wall when she does something so incredibly foolish that you can't help but hate her. I wrote her to be real. Because let's be honest. If I were a farm girl with a troubled past, and suddenly became the ONLY person who could save the world, I'd be a little freaked out. I'd probably crumble under the pressure or make stupid mistakes too. We have so many great protagonists in our media that I loved reading about when I was growing up and still do, but they seemed so out of reach for me. Selene feels more relatable to me, more familiar. It'll take more than a book, but Selene grows and learns how to handle her power and position. Until then though keep yelling at her, cause I am too.

DF: If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

M: Adventurous, Bold, and Passionate

DF: If your story was ever made into a movie, what actors or celebrities would you want to play your characters?

M: Honestly, this is probably the one thing I never think about, so forgive me if my answers are a bit basic!I just finished binging the Witcher season 2 and, as a Ciri stan from the games, Freya Allan is doing a great job of becoming someone I could see playing Selene.Aiden is pretty hard because his face is always changing to me so I can't imagine just one person playing him. But due to watching recent clips of him in the movie Turandot, I could see Cole Sprouse playing Aiden well.Nina Zenik is one of my favorite characters and watching her be playing by Danielle Galligan FIT. I could see her playing our strong and clever mentor.Though you'll meet more characters throughout the series, those are the most important in our first book.

DF: How do you celebrate when you finally finish a story?

M: I let out a bellowing victory cry. I scare my roommates, our pet fish, and whoever is in a mile radius. Those who are writers too know how difficult it can be to finally get to the end of that book. And when you finally do, it's a fantastic feeling!

Thank you so much, Madie__Marie, for being with us and agreeing to our interview. We hope you all enjoyed this interview! Madie__Marie, it was a pleasure! Check out the story, In the Dark of Night, to support this amazing author! 

- The Dark Fantasy Team