Interview with TC Marti, Author of Cursed Mage (Catenarian Chronicles Book 1)

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Cursed Mage (Caternian Chronicles Book 1)?

Several stories, really. I’d always wanted to create a work with a deep, hidden family legacy. Having read works like Spirit Legacy by E.E. Holmes and Secret Legacy by Carissa Andrews, both were major influences in terms of tropes. With an interest in incorporating elemental magic, something that had been an interest of mine since I first watched Avatar: The Last Airbender, it completed a work that I would describe as familiar, but with a cross-over of so many concepts. Those, plus nonfiction titles like Murray N. Rothbard’s Anatomy of the State and Smedley D. Butler’s War is a Racket, just to throw a couple out there, really helped to shape Cursed Mage.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Cursed Mage (Caternian Chronicles Book 1), what would they be?

This is a great question! For Kaija, the theme song would definitely be “Ghost Love Score” by Nightwish.

As for Marko, I’d roll with “Dead to the World”, also by Nightwish.

Then, there’s Lilja, whose song, also sticking with the Nightwish theme, would be “Bless the Child”.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My favorite genre to read is a tie between paranormal/urban fantasy and dystopian fiction. Cursed Mage carries that paranormal/urban fantasy concept, but the darkness surrounding it also hints at dystopian elements. I would say yes, my favorite genre, or genres, to read are definitely my favorite ones to write.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Oh, more than I can count! Right now, I’m going back and re-reading many books that I’ve read in the past. I’m finishing up the Gateway Trilogy by E.E. Holmes for the fourth time, then moving on to re-reading Kate L. Mary’s dystopian trilogy, Beyond, and Tracy Lawson’s Resistance Series. I also have works like Six Days of the Condor on the list, along with some select nonfiction like End the Fed and Liberty Defined by Ron Paul.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The climax scene of Act II always makes me laugh. It’s Kaija’s first major test against these ruthless Mage Master assassins deemed the Huotaja. To pull off a daring rescue, Kaija had no choice but to invade enemy territory, but she’s still very, very raw in her own Mage ability. So, what does Kaija do? She reverts to using her wit and the street smarts she learned during her days growing up in the worst areas imaginable. Plus, some professional wrestling moves. The scene showed Kaija that, even against some of the most well-trained enemies, she could be a force when push came to shove.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I often write between 2,000 and 3,000 words every morning. During that time, I’m not one to drink coffee or tea, but pre-workout supplements. Many of my gym friends are rather shocked when I tell them I like to take a good two (sometimes three) hours to sip on a pre-workout while I’m writing, as opposed to just drinking it while on my way to, or arriving at the gym.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

One quote that I live by comes from Henry David Thoreau, who once said, “I was born not to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest.”

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

While I’ll always hope that readers feel that they’ve read a great, entertaining book, remembering the themes would be even more rewarding. Themes of embracing individual liberty and the natural right to self-ownership while critiquing statism run rampant in every book that I write. If I can plant such seeds into the minds of readers that entice them to explore the concepts further, I can smile at the end of the day.

TC Marti is the author of the new book Cursed Mage (Caternian Chronicles Book 1)

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