February 15, 2022

Interview with the author of The Dark Beast, Dave Maruszewski

Hi friends! I'm pleased to be a part of the book tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for The Dark Beast by Dave Maruszewski. Make sure you check out the giveaway at the end of the post - the author will be giving away a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Please also make sure you check out the pages of the other tour hosts as well - the more you comment, the more chances you have to win! As an added bonus, the book is on sale for $0.99 for the duration of the tour!

The Dark Beast by Dave Maruszewski Blog Tour Schedule (Goddess Fish Promotions)

About the Book

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.


Book: www.ravenromdaandravai.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dave-Maruszewski-Books-100693982454237/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21946064.Dave_Maruszewski

NetGalley: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/publisher/84200

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Beast-Raven-Romda-Ravai-ebook/dp/B09JSX3ZGG/


Excerpt from the Book

“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.


Interview with the Author, Dave Maruszewski

  • What are four things you can't live without?

    • Coffee, Music, Internet and a Computer.  Wow, I’m shallow.  I should have said family, my wife, friends, and love.  Too late to change?  It’s worth it to have them all.  However, obviously, the second four are the most important by far.

    • I always wondered what would happen if I went back to childhood’s life.  I had one of the initial four, and I did alright.  Well, maybe I secretly longed for coffee.

  • What is your favorite television show?

    • I think Babylon 5.  It’s an odd pick for sure.   The first season is almost unwatchable.  However, the writing in seasons 2-4 is extremely tight.  It is just a great interwoven story with many subplots.  The actors who play the characters also do a phenomenal job.  Peter Jurasik and Andreas Katsulas are my favorite, possibly of all time, supporting characters.  

    • My guilty pleasure is Special Unit 2.  Go watch an episode and see what I mean.  Then, please don’t think less of me when you do.

  • Where do you get your inspiration, information, and idea for books?

    • I’ve received similar questions like this before, but this time I want to shine a light on what I haven’t talked about yet.  I used to love comic books.  That was the seed to my desire to write and create.  I draw upon that style in terms of building tension and having a satisfying ending.  The dialogue is a bit simple in comics, but as far as plot, I think that you can write any story with that type of style, even drama.  You just have to abstract those principles.  

  • Do you write full-time or around another job? If you have a full time job, does it ever play into your writing?

    • I am very lucky.  My “main” job is seasonal, as I look for and pick up work as I need it.  

    • I am a software engineer.  However, I can work full time at writing when work is slow or when I remove stuff from my calendar on purpose.  I’m very thankful for that.

    • I think everything that I have ever done plays into writing, even if it isn’t directly.  For example, with programming, you have to lay out code in a logical manner that works.  However, there are many ways to code, so believe it or not, each long program creates its own story!  Nonetheless, the logic of laying out a practical, workable project helps with writing.

    • I also used to be involved in the video game industry.  I still am but in a tertiary manner.  Storytelling is a big staple of gaming.  I think the interactive nature of game narrative has made me rethink how to present material to younger audiences.

  • What books or authors have most influenced your writing?

    • Since I let the cat out of the bag with the comics, I will skip the mainstream book writers.  Instead, I will give some gratitude to the comic book writers.  I think my favorites, for that pre-Y2K time, were Marv Wolfman, John Byrne, Roy Thomas and Chris Claremont.  Those guys had some gifts that may not be appreciated by the literature world.  But if you look at the popularity of the modern comic book movies, they were heavily influential.  

  • What is your favorite writing snack and/or drink?

    • Coffee, for sure.  It wakes me up, keeps my mind clear and tastes great.  I have a high tolerance for coffee some of its negative effects.  I have no problem sleeping.  I’ll even drink it at night.  If it weren’t for headaches, I’d drink it continuously.  That’s pretty sad, but here I am.

  • What was your hardest scene to write and why?

    • A lot of times, I have a lot of mini-stories in my writing of which I think of up along the way.  Seeming them together, can be an issue.  In The Dark Beast, I had a verbal story told by various characters along the journey of the protagonists.  It was one continuous story but had to be broken up into pieces and then told colloquially by a host of personalities.  I had a hard time trying to break it up correctly, where I wouldn’t lose continuity.  I had to make sure that I had enough for each character to tell and then trying to keep it memorable through the main plot.  I did a lot of head scratching on that one.

  • What is a significant way your book has changed since the first draft?

    • At one point in the writing, I forgot to mention something about the Dark Beast that would lend itself better to the final show down and why he does something specific to the plot.  After I had that pointed out, I had to quickly write another chapter.  That’s why I need editing!

  • Aside from writing, what is one thing you do for fun?

    • Video games can take up way too much of my time.  However, one with a good plot and gameplay, I can’t deny.  It’s like reading a story but being interactive in its creation.  I can see why people get addicted to them.

  • What exciting projects do you have coming up next?   

    • Malketh and the Undead!  That is the second book in the Raven, Romda and Ravai series and is completed, in my mind, at least.  I finished writing the story but then needed to inject more character exposition.  I am just finishing that and editing as we speak.  Your former question about the significant way my book has changed will have a much better answer next time, if you’ll have me back.  See, as an author, you have to find a way to get them to ask for more ;-)  

About the Author

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.

Enter the giveaway here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



16 comments:

  1. Yes, Thank you very much!
    -Dave Maruszewski

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    Replies
    1. Of course! It was my pleasure Dave. Thank you for taking the time to answer my interview questions, and visit my blog today :)

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  2. I enjoyed the interview and getting to know Dave more.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Kim! I appreciate you taking the time to visit my blog and leave a comment today :)

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    2. That is a very nice thing for you to say! Thank you. You made my day.
      -Dave

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  3. Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the question and for taking the time to visit my blog today Marisela! My favorite video game(s) are Pokemon - I'm currently enjoying Pokemon Shining Pearl quite a bit :)

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    2. Thank you for asking the question! I like the Age of Wonders Series ... although Pokemon is cool, too ;-)
      -dave

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  4. Replies
    1. I do too, Sherry. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today!

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  5. Thank you for sharing the author's interview and book details, I can't wait to share this story with my grandchildren

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    Replies
    1. Of course! It was my pleasure to host a stop on the tour. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, Bea :)

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