It really is nice to have you back, Marva.
I see you have your new novel to tell us about.
As you know, I have read it, and I can't say enough nice things about it. I'm a fan who hasn't missed reading any of your books. I love your imagination, the adventures and characters you conjure up. And I disagree on one item. This is not just for YA, I think readers of all ages will enjoy your novels. I certainly did.
So, my dear, settle back into that comfy chair and tell us all about your new one.
Hi back at ya, Lorrie. I think we're each other's biggest fans. Or at least loyal followers. I've answered some of the questions you've put to me in the form of a dialog. So here it goes.
Faizah’s Destiny begins as a
story about an old man’s kidnapping and ends with a battle to save
the world from Armageddon. Just the usual stuff.
(Lorrie) Where did the concept for the
book (or books) come about?
(Marva) Another book, of course. I
wanted to write a book about the eagle nesting site in Oregon’s
Klamath Wildlife Preserves. The story had four main characters, all
of them in the outcast category at their school. I wrote that book, a
contemporary teen adventure set in the real world.
Then it occurred to me the same general
plot could be set in a fantasy world. Why not, eh? The eagle becomes
a simurgh, the teens are middle-eastern, the old man is a retired
park ranger. But I added the elements of Persian gods and demons. The
Mars-like god of war, Dev, becomes the villain in the plot and, being
a god, he has to be far more badass than the eagle poachers in the
original book. Anyway, in my study of Persian mythology, I came up
with the additional characters and a storyline using the myth of the
Simurgh.
(Lorrie) How long did it take you to
finish, from concept to final product?
(Marva) Since I wrote two books instead
of one, it took twice as long. How long was it? I really have no
idea. Let’s say a year and call it good.
(Lorrie) What do you do for fun other
than writing?
(Marva) Who said writing was fun? My
husband and I just got back from a European trip covering six
countries. We’re looking forward to more travel in the future, so
I’d call that our main source of fun. Otherwise, having our
granddaughters come to visit (only a couple of times a year, alas) is
the most fun thing we both love.
(Lorrie) If you could time travel
(accompanying Doctor Who in the Tardis, of course) to any point in
history, when/where would it be and why?
(Marva) Hm. Good question. I’ve
written two books based in the ancient middle-east, so I’d go with
a grand tour of the pre-Islamic middle-east. I’d like to hear the
storytellers in the market, shop for flying rugs, and ride flying
horses. That’s not exactly real history, but I’d love to think it
was.
(Lorrie) Here are some random
questions. Answer briefly.
Do you secretly want to write
another genre, but don't think you can do it?
I have written Science Fiction, but
mostly space opera. I wish I had the education to write hard science
fiction. I love to read it.
Favorite movie of all time?
Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s got
everything I love: history, fantasy, adventure, laughs, Harrison
Ford. What’s not to like?
(Lorrie) Ahem. Seems like you’re
falling apart here. How about an excerpt to tantalize the readers?
(Marva) Breathes sigh of relief at
not answering anymore questions.
You bet!
Excerpt
Once more the two sides came together
with a rending crash. Once more, weapons rose and fell. And once
more, Menog and monsters died. Faizah fired as fast as she could draw
her bow. No need to aim now, the press of slashing, clawing creatures
was too thick. Her quiver never ran out of arrows.
Dev raised his hands, and more
creatures appeared, clambering down the cliffs to join the battle.
Slowly, the line of Menog lost ground, forced back by the
ever-growing horde.
Faizah began to despair as the Menog
line was pushed back. Then, she heard the clash of horses’ hooves
on stone behind her. She whirled, bow drawn, ready to let fly at this
new threat, when she realized the lead rider was none other than
Master Wafai. Three raiders followed close behind him, and she turned
her bow toward the first man.
Wafai shouted, “No, Faizah! These are
friends!”
“Master Wafai! Thank the heavens
you’re here! Bahaar and Parvaiz are under a spell. They’re
fighting against the Menog.”
Wafai pulled his horse to a stop beside
Faizah. Standing in the stirrups, he looked across the battle lines
to where Parvaiz and Bahaar drove the hordes of Dev’s creatures
against the Menog. The magician closed his eyes, raised his hands,
and began to murmur.
Faizah shot a quick glance up at Dev,
who seemed not to notice them. The war god was engrossed in the
battle below. She turned back to Wafai, wondering what he would do.
Faizah had no illusions about Master Wafai’s abilities. She knew
combat spells would be beyond him. Suddenly, she had an idea.
“Master Wafai! A clarifying spell!
Cast a clarifying spell!”
His concentration broken, the magician
looked at her with a puzzled frown. Then he grinned. “Clever girl!”
he shouted. Turning back to the battle, he chanted the spell.
A gentle wind blew from Wafai, clearing
the air where it passed. As the spell moved over the Menog, they
backed up a step, pulling Harib along behind their shield wall. It
was a simple thing, the clarity spell, easy to cast and known by
every village magician. It was used to rid the air of dust after a
sandstorm. The spell not only cleared the air, it also dispelled
illusions and restored clouded minds. Master Wafai sent the spell out
over the battlefield toward Bahaar and Parvaiz.
As the spell washed over the two boys,
they froze. Faizah ran forward and pushed between two Menog warriors
to confront them. “Look at me!” she commanded, grabbing each boy
by the front of his tunic. “Now!”
The boys stared at her, eyes unfocused.
Parvaiz slowly raised his scimitar to strike. Faizah didn’t flinch
but stared hard at Bahaar, willing him to respond to her. Bahaar
began to tremble. His eyes widened, and he reached out and grabbed
Parvaiz’s arm before the sword could fall.
“Stop fighting! Dev has tricked you!
Stop fighting now!” she shouted, hoping she was getting through to
Parvaiz but concentrating on Bahaar. She hoped their long friendship
would make him more likely to pay attention to what she said.
The two boys looked around with dazed
eyes. Their swords fell to their sides. Without the two humans to
direct them, Dev’s monsters milled about aimlessly. Many of them
wandered off to the cracks in the cliff that spawned them.
On the cliff above them, Dev roared his
anger as he realized what was happening. He raised his sword and
swept it over the battlefield, gesturing with a clawed hand at his
forces below. He was too late. The god of war and destruction howled
with impotent rage as his army crept away. The two humans he had
counted on to carry forward the battle were standing still, halted by
that meddlesome girl.
* * *
FAIZAH'S DESTINY
The gods are at war and only a
farmer’s daughter can save the world from Armageddon.
Also
available at Amazon, B&N, Nook, and other on-line stores. Check my blog for an on-going link list of buy sites.
Blurb:
The village magician has gone missing.
His four pupils think he has left a clue to his whereabouts in the
Magicalis Bestialis--the book of magical creatures. They must seek
the help of the elusive Simurgh, the mythical birds who know all the
secrets of the universe.
However, this is not an easy camping
trip into the mountains. Spirits, gods, and demons confront the four
friends, who are not aware they’re being set up by otherworldly
forces for a much larger task.
A farmer’s daughter, Faizah is chosen
to lead the humans in the battle. She must persuade a slave, an
orphan, and a rich merchant’s son to join in the battle on the side
of good. Although divided by Dev, the evil god of war, the teens must
band together to find the Simurgh, rescue their teacher, and stave
off Armageddon.
Bio:
Marva Dasef lives in the Pacific
Northwest with her husband and two ungrateful cats. Retired from
thirty-five years in the software industry, she has now turned her
energies to writing fiction and finds it a much more satisfying
occupation. Marva has published more than forty stories in a number
of on-line and print magazines, with several included in Best of
anthologies. She has several published books, including six since
2011 with MuseItUp Publishing.
Twitter
Handle: @Gurina
Spellslinger (Amazon Kindle): A prequel story to the series, the lovable half-vampire, Rune, gets in deep trouble when his spell collapses...literally!
Scotch Broom: A magical trip to Stonehenge lands a witch in the Otherworld where an ancient goddess is up to no good.
