WattpadDarkFantasy brings to you another interview. We present to you Maraudin, the author of The Problem with Dying.

Dark Fantasy Team: When did you start writing this story? How was your experience while writing it?

Maraudin: I started work on my very first original fiction novel, The Problem With Dying, in the fall of 2019. I was incredibly naive about the whole novel writing process and jumped in head first.

I knew I wanted to write a book about anxiety and magic. After the first draft was complete, I sent it to an editor who was offering a free developmental edit and nervously waited for her feedback.

She tore my manuscript apart. Pointed out all kinds of issues with character arcs and boring scenes that had no relevance. Then I wrote a second draft. And a third.

I learned that the craft of writing takes resilience and commitment.

DF: Tell us a few things about your story and your journey on Wattpad. What do you love the most about them?

M: The three words that describe The Problem With Dying are: Vampires. Magic. Murder. This story is as much of an inward journey for the main character, Torren, as it is an outward journey to discover the truth about a murder.

This story explores the many ways death can touch our lives and the different ways we respond to psychological pain.

My journey on Wattpad started with Harry Potter fan fiction—like many writers here. Once I dove into the world of original fiction, I started making friendships here on the platform with other writers. Entering contests like The Open Novella Contest and other small, user ran ones.

Everything changed for me when I became a mentee in the Watty's Bootcamp Mentorship program—a Pitch Wars style program ran by Wattpad stars. I learned so much from my mentor, Sal Mason, and from other amazing authors—including fellow mentees.

While The Problem With Dying didn't win a Watty, it did put my name on the radar of Wattpad staff—and in late January I was offered a place as a star.

DF: What drew you to this genre? What things in this genre that appealed most to you?

M: I love looking at the darker side of magic. I am a huge fan of The Magicians series by Lev Grossman and An Unkindness of Magicians by Kat Howard—both are very dark fantasies.

You never get something for free. Magic demands payment. Are the strings attached to magic worth using it? I like playing with that idea.

DF: Is this the only genre you write in or do write in other genres too? If yes, tell us something about it.

M: Everything that I wrote is dark. Dark fantasy. Dark fan fiction. Dark romance. I love morally gray characters and villains hiding in plain sight.

DF: Tell us something about your protagonist(s).

M: Torren Jacobs is a 21 year old college student living in Michigan. He suffers from generalized anxiety and tries to overcome the traumas of his childhood by acting like they didn't happen. His lifelong best friend—Mandy Laytham—plays a huge part in this story, too.

Her and Torren's friendship is at the heart of this story.

DF: What was the biggest obstacle you had to face while writing this story?

M: My own lack of knowledge! I had to teach myself how to write—mechanically, technically, emotionally, and honestly. After that, it was a matter writing the words down.

DF: What are some books that influenced your writing and maybe you, yourself, as a writer?

M: Too many to list! If you want to read the best of the best published dark fiction—these are on my must read list:A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, An Unkindness of Magicians by Kat Howard, The Magicians by Lev Grossman, The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert, The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen, and The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh.

DF: If the world was attacked by unknown creatures, what would be your very first move to survive?

M: Join them.

DF: What do plan on achieving in the future, be it on Wattpad or in general?

M: Publish. Publish. Publish! I want to hold a book I wrote. Not just because I want fame, but because I think I have something to say. And just maybe there's a story inside me that will touch someone who struggles with anxiety. Or depression. Or grew up feeling like they were less than worthy. Or works hard every day on the prayer that things will get better.

That hopes magic is real.That's the person I'm writing for. Once the stories leave my head, they belong to the reader. Not me.

The WattpadDarkFantasy team would like to thank Maraudin for agreeing to the interview and providing us some more insight on their story, The Problem with Dying! Be sure to check it out and support the author!

- The Dark Fantasy Team