Friday, January 23, 2015

It's All About the Book with Marcus Damanda





It’s All About the Book…

 Please tell us about your current or upcoming release.

My current book is THE DEVIL AT PLAY, which is the final book in THE DEVIL IN MISS DRAKE’S CLASS trilogy. Here’s the blurb:
“Everyone loves the devil until they know him. Until they see him for what he really is.”
Nobody ever did, even as the bodies started to pile up.
But now, too late for it to matter, Audrey understands at last. The devil of Fairview has been courting her for days, and watching her for much longer than that. The murderer is her boyfriend, and he’s been killing on her behalf.
His name is Jack Maddox, but everyone calls him Mad Jack. He’s planning a party, where everyone is invited, especially Audrey’s tormentors. Especially the Facebook 15.
Audrey will have her revenge, whether she wants it or not.
Because, in Miss Drake’s class, the devil will have his due.



What is this book’s genre?  Is this the genre you usually write in?  Are there any genre’s you haven’t written that you’d like to try?

It’s a horror book, with a splash of teen drama and romance. Horror is definitely my comfort zone. Creatively, my mind defaults to the dark, although I’m a pretty nice and normal guy in real life. I’ve been developing a dystopian future idea for an upcoming series, though, and I hope it flies.




What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve been writing anti-bullying fables for ten years or so, going back to my vampire book Teeth: The Forever Show Book 2. I really enjoy telling stories about young people finding their hidden power, whatever that may be. In this case, however, our hero does not find her power in the dark, but in herself. The question is, will it be enough?



 How did you pick its title?  Did it come first or did you have to write the story first?
I had the title for the series before I’d written a single word. Originally, it was a very large single book, which my publisher Evernight Teen asked me to cut into three smaller books. Thankfully, the one book was originally divided into three “parts,” each of which had a title. The acquisitions editor at Evernight Teen, Christine Klocek-Lim, suggested using those as the book titles, and I went with that.


 How did you create your characters?  Did you use any real life people in their making?
None of the characters are exactly “real,” nor are any of them exactly made up. They had to serve the story, and yet they were all taken (at least to some degree) from my experiences as a high school student and as a teacher. The best teacher I ever had, Mrs. Drake, is the namesake for this book—although she became a much younger “Miss” for this book, and the dark secrets I applied to her definitely don’t apply to the real person.


 Who is your favorite character of this book and why?
Audrey Bales, the protagonist, no question. I gave myself a very daunting task with her: create a hero out of a girl who tries to kill herself in Chapter 1. She had to be both vulnerable and strong, and eventually triumphant. She needed to be both flawed and likeable. I’m really proud of that character. On the other end of the spectrum, I’m also really happy with her nemesis, Maggie Lassiter. People will so, so hate her. As I intend to demonstrate …


 What was the hardest part of this book to write? Can you share an excerpt from that part?


 The hardest part was an entire chapter, late in the book, entitled “Torment.” Here’s a sample:
You look like you’re already gone, Maggie thought. Poor thing.
The first thing she showed Audrey was the pair of black spandex pants. She held them up, grinning.
I will get a reaction from you, emo princess. Just wait.
Audrey blinked, expressionless.
Reaching back into the box, Maggie came out with a pair ofblack leather boots with pentagram buckles. She shook the boots to make them jingle.
Still, nothing.
Maggie sighed. Reaching into her back pocket, she pulled out a small pad and a pen. She flipped past the pages with the prescripted messages, scribbled on the first blank page, then held it in front of Audrey’s face. Benny shone his flashlight on it.
When Audrey’s eyes remained on the floor, unfocused, Maggie reached over and smacked her, lightly but repeatedly, until she looked.
How about these? They were expensive. You should be grateful.
“Nice,” Audrey whispered, as though from far, far away.
Maggie nodded and almost said the words “good girl” aloud, but caught herself.
Going back into the box, she produced a leather belt, three skull rings, and two ear studs in the likeness of bloody staples before revealing the final item.
Obediently, Audrey looked at them all, repeating “nice” with each fresh display.
The final item was a T-shirt for the gothic rock band Matchbook Romance. The title of one of their biggest songs graced its front: “You Can Run, But We’ll Find You.”
“Nice,” Audrey said.
It was all laid out in front of her.
Inspired by the moment, Maggie scribbled on her pad again: I was going to buy you some lingerie, but then I thought, no, there will be boys present. Sooo indiscreet. 

Don’t want to give everything away. Have to leave something to the imagination. She got up, backed away, and stood next to Celine, who looked on, expectantly.
Audrey’s eyes returned to the floor.
Maggie snapped her fingers, and the boys stepped forward.


****
Ally had to stay on her toes to make sure she got only Audrey in the video. Getting the others when their backs were turned, or when they weren’t in the light, was safe—but the less she caught of them, even with masks and makeup, the better. Less editing for later.
She couldn’t believe how unbelievably calm Audrey was. She didn’t do anything, didn’t make a sound, as the boys converged on her.
Benny yanked off her cute little felt boots, leaving her socks on. They forced her back on her feet to do the rest. And she just stood there.
If that were me, Ally thought, I’d be screaming bloody murder. I’d fight.
Her hat and coat were tossed on the floor. She’d get those back, later.
Everything else, Maggie and Celine cut apart with heavy duty scissors—even the boots, to the extent that was possible. The boots were a real shame. If she were allowed to talk, Ally might have said she wanted those.
Why doesn’t she fight?
They left her standing in her underwear and socks while they destroyed her things. They were especially thorough with her Battlefield volleyball shirt, reducing it to red-and-gold cotton confetti by the time they were done.
No tears. Nothing. Maggie must be furious.
God, Ally thought. What a total slut.


****



The Devil at Play
Marcus Damanda
The Devil in Miss Drake's Class, 3

“Everyone loves the devil until they know him. Until they see him for what he really is.” 

Nobody ever did, even as the bodies started to pile up. 

But now, too late for it to matter, Audrey understands at last. The devil of Fairview has been courting her for days, and watching her for much longer than that. The murderer is her boyfriend—and he’s been killing on her behalf. 

His name is Jack Maddox, but everyone calls him Mad Jack. He’s planning a party, where everyone is invited, especially Audrey’s tormentors—especially the Facebook Fifteen. 

Audrey will have her revenge, whether she wants it or not. 

Because, in Miss Drake’s class, the devil will have his due.



14+ due to violence and adult situations

Buy Links:    Evernight Teen    Amazon

*****


About the Author:
 Marcus Damanda lives in Woodbridge, Virginia with his cat, Shazam. At various times throughout his life, he played bass guitar for the garage heavy metal band

Mother’s Day, wrote for The Dale City Messenger, and published editorials in The Potomac News and The Freelance Star. Currently, while not plotting his next foray into fictitious suburban mayhem, he spoils his nieces and nephews and teaches middle school English.


Find Marcus Damanda here:





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