Dar Tania: How the First Priestess of Tiamat Arose and Founded the Dragon Empire of Morbattania (A Forsaken Isles 100 page book) Author Interview

Dar Tania looks like a great fantasy book.  Do you plan any additional books to make it a series?

Dar Tania sets the stage for an entire fantasy world based on the worship of dragons. As a high priestess, Dar establishes the beginning of an empire. Subsequent books will further explore a world where dragons are worshiped as living gods. Against this backdrop, Dar Tania seeks out more priestesses and establishes a paladin corps wage war against opposing gods and powers.  

What do you think makes a great fantasy story?

A world and magic system that makes sense, is intriguing, and compelling characters are a must. Following a character's growth through the interplay of gods and magic, if thought-provoking, fuels my own imagination. I draw inspiration from Greek mythology, Arthurian legend, Raymond E. Feist, David Eddings, and Tracy Hickman in crafting the world of the Forsaken Isles. The culture of Morbatten, where Dar Tania grows up, has these powerful dragons watching over them. The dragons are benign to Dar and her peoples. They see humanity the way Smaug from LOTR saw his treasure hoard. Our mortality’s brief experiences make us shine brighter than gold. The dragons cherish and jealously guard Dar Tania and the advancement of this people from barbarians towards a world-shaking, god-slaying empire.  

What inspired you when writing Dar Tania?

The story of dragon-human relationships is an age-old story. When I have encountered such stories, the tropes in them bothered me and I thought, "I want to tell my own story. Rather than treasure, the dragons will hoard the people who worship them. Heroes, heroines, and the tragedies of their lives will be valued by the dragons because of the power it brings them. The dragons are part of a divine pantheon. To further their Goddess Tiamat, what would the dragons do with mortals who worship and serve them?" Morbatten is the answer to this: the dragons would strengthen families that produce daughters like Dar Tania. They would carefully number and drive their human worshipers to higher powers. When a rough diamond is faceted, its beauty flashes for all to see. This is how the dragons see us. Dar Tania tells the beginning of this story. 

What are your ambitions for your writing career?  Full time?  Part time?

I have so many stories to tell in this world. Necromantic abyssal powers, corrupted mages, fallen paladins, and clashes between heroes and the gods they serve... Full time or bust!

When did you decide to become a writer?

While dreaming about life, it has taken me a while to figure out and start writing the stories I see in my dreams. 

When writing Dar Tania did anything stand out as particularly challenging?

Dar Tania serves as a foundation for the world of the Forsaken Isles. There is so much to tell that restricting myself to a 105 page book became a challenge in itself. Thankfully, my test readers and those kind enough to post reviews on Kindle proved I met this challenge. As the story of the first priestess of Tiamat, Dar Tania must paint the broader picture of a world in the center of Creation, Chaos, and Warp. Dar Tania has to show how the immortals viewed Time when it began to flow and give mortals a place in that poisonous flow. It has to be fun to read so you’ll be intrigued enough to pick up Malcor’s Story and Bomoki’s Gate next.

How did you come up with the story of Dar Tania?

When I first began creating the Forsaken Isles, I knew there would be a first. Telling that story became a priority for me as a way of introducing readers to this world. In so many tales of high and dark fantasy, there is magic and then there are gods. These stories treat them as two very different things. To Dar, magic is the lifeblood of her faith. For the priestesses and paladins who fight by her side, faith is the key to accessing and using divine ‘magic’. They see it as prayers and blessings rather than sorcery. Having this connection to the divine, Dar Tania tells the story of what this world is like, how it evolves, and what challenges it has. It is a dynamic world full of magic, like sorcerers who scientifically break down and reconstruct the flow of Time for their own ends. Monsters rampage. Other empires try to block the rise of Morbatten.

What do you like to do when not writing?

I live in Virginia and the Blue Ridge Mountains are like a second home to me on weekends and holidays. Hiking miles with a backpack, with my daughters, with my friends, I lose sense of time and place and, like Dar Tania, I feel the world roll beneath my feet. It inspires my writing. 

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

Visit my blog at: darmalcor.weebly.com

After Dar Tania, the term ‘Dar’ becomes a royal title. Malcor, his story is in the next book, becomes Morbatten’s second king. Or, find my work on Amazon, GoodReads, etc. All my works are in Kindle Unlimited and are shareable with your friends! I’d love to hear from you in reviews or email me through the blog. Thank you!