Interview with V.J. Madsen, Author of Reaper’s Dice

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Reaper’s Dice?

It all began with an idea for Dungeons and Dragons. I was using a software to create a visual of a character and paused. I said to myself “She seems cool. I wonder what her backstory is…” That character would go on to become Zaleria, my secondary protagonist. My story grew from that one character, everything was built around her. It kept growing and growing until I realized that I needed to see it complete.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Reaper’s Dice, what would they be?

I don’t really have songs for individual characters aside from my Villain, Christopher Jarley. I found the song “Feed the Machine” by Poor Man’s Poison fit his motivation and style perfectly. Both in the narrative of the song, and the style of music. I would say the band Poor Man’s Poison fits the vibe of my story very well. They would definitely be my first choice for a soundtrack if an adaptation was made.

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

Fantasy and Sci-Fi. Although despite being a novelist, my inspiration usually comes from other sources of art. Movies, shows, comics, manga, anime. Maybe that makes me a hack fraud, but borrowing from those sources has worked pretty well so far.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Anything Warhammer related. I want to finish the Ciaphas Cain series, as well as start the Horus Heresy series. That second one might take a few years. They have 64 books and counting!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

A scene near the beginning of act three. The two main characters end up captured and are sat down at a table for the villain to make a dangerous offer to them. It’s really a great scene where the villain lays his cards out on the table, both in his physical plans, and his personal philosophy. I enjoyed writing a short monologue where he used the taste of wine as a descriptive allegory for extreme emotions

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

C.S. Lewis said, “Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage” I find the idea of a noble moral archetype to be fresh and exciting in our modern day of moral grays and anti-heroes. My work has plenty of room for ambiguity, but at the end of the day, I want aspirational heroes who inspire as well as entertain.

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

Take care to appreciate what you have now. Change is constant and what’s good now can be lost. An attitude of gratitude for the good in your life brings peace.

V.J. Madsen is the author of the new book Reaper’s Dice

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