Exploring Themes Of Good Versus Evil, Character Development, And The Art Of Storytelling
David V Mammina discusses his passion for fantasy, his writing process, and the challenges of balancing teaching with creating epic tales of redemption and moral complexity.
David V Mammina is a man of dual passions: by day, he inspires young minds as a history teacher, and by night, he crafts intricate worlds as an award-winning dark fantasy novelist. With eleven self-published novels to his name and a twelfth in the works, Mammina has proven himself a master storyteller, blending gripping narratives with rich character development. His creations extend beyond the page, with a deck-building card game, Redeem the Resistance, based on the characters from his books. A familiar face at conventions on Long Island, NY, Mammina thrives on connecting with fans and fellow writers, offering a glimpse into the imaginative process behind his work.
In this exclusive interview for Reader’s House Magazine, Mammina delves into the inspirations and challenges that shape his writing. From his love for the fantasy genre’s escapism to the intricate process of character development, he reveals how his stories explore themes of redemption, morality, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. He also shares the balancing act of juggling his teaching career with his writing ambitions, offering invaluable advice for aspiring authors. For Mammina, storytelling is not just a craft but a meditation, a way to navigate the complexities of life while creating worlds that resonate deeply with readers. Dive into this conversation to discover the mind behind the magic.
What inspired you to write in the fantasy genre?
The fantasy genre has always intrigued me since youth, particularly the idea that one can escape to a magical world where mythology comes to life. Fantasy mostly works, however, because it has realistic elements familiar to readers as a sort of grounding element, then taking you away from the complexities of our real lives. I love the imagination machine, bending the story to my will to make something feel beautiful, frightening, and wonderous all together.
Can you tell us about your writing process and how you develop your characters?
Whenever I get to writing something I am passionate about, there was a myriad of steps that I took to get to that point. Firstly, I never seek to write anything unless there is a purpose to it. Do I have a cool idea with a conflict that is attractive? What’s the hook? Then I begin outlining the story, allowing it to evolve as I revisit the concepts over a certain amount of time. Once I begin writing, I use the outline as a guide, but my creative fervor takes hold soon after, guiding my hand and the characters themselves. But eventually, the characters begin to pull the story, guiding me to where they should go. They have their own characteristics, traits, desires, flaws, etc. Basically, a good story idea with a good foundation needs great character development. I take breaks after I’ve written impactful scenes and read what I have thus far, checking to make sure it all flows and makes sense. I also permit myself to change anything that doesn’t appear to work anymore. Characters must drive the tale to a dynamic conclusion, always epic in some scale to make the readers feel that the journey was truly worth it. Finally, I check for plot holes and ask hard questions. Were all the questions answered? Then the editing begins – another process all in and of itself.
How do you approach the themes of redemption and good versus evil in your stories?
Redemption has always been a key factor for many of my characters in many of my books. Don’t we all seek redemption for something? None of us are without sin, without mistakes we’ve made along the way. No one should be truly lost to forgiveness. There is goodness and darkness in everyone. Some can be saved, others are villains that must be stopped at all costs. My job is to give readers characters and conflicts that seem real. No villain was born that way. Something made them, shaped them. The same goes for those who fight for justice – goodness. Why do they take on this mantle? There must be a reason. And what happens when both forces meet? Do they engage in a desperate battle of good versus evil, or do they find that not everything is as simple as that? There is a gray area that exists in morality and darkness. I enjoy exploring these topics in each story, crafting my characters to make the readers feel like they know them. Even if they love to hate them, at least they know why.
What challenges did you face while writing your latest book, and how did you overcome them?
Currently, I am writing the third and final installment of the Death or Volentus series – Death or Volentus: Infernal Dread. So much has happened to each character that has made it up to this point. Those that have survived to the final book have not reached that level unscathed or without some fascinating change that has impacted them and the story. My challenge is taking all the characters and conflicts that I have built up to this moment and give them a satisfying end to a story arc that had been set in motion one or two books back. Readers will want to know how their favorite characters’ tales end or move on in their mind after turning the last page. It all must culminate in something grand, something fulfilling and worthwhile. Not every writer has this forethought and fans can be left feeling irritated. How will the grand story, one that started out very simply, yet effective, conclude on an even grander scale, making even the first page of the first book greater as a result? That is my challenge – but one that I revel in solving one page at a time. These characters’ stories must blend splendidly as ingredients to a culinary masterpiece and make the meal worth savoring more than once.
How do you balance your teaching career with your writing?
Balancing my teaching career with my writing ventures has nigh made me a magician or sorts. Teaching history has been one of my greatest honors, inspiring students to look upon the past as a great story with fascinating characters and conflicts that took place. Making them love history requires a bit of imagination to make the past come alive, as well as relating those lessons to modern times. Many of my students know I am a writer by night and they support me in their way, asking how my writing is going and where I will be signing books next. For someone who has a story to tell, I will find the time to write it one way of another. When I worked in Brooklyn, I wrote on the train. When I caught up and found some rare downtime at work, I outlined or wrote a paragraph or two. At home, when I’m in the mood, I can write for hours, if I’m not helped away by my loving fiancé, of course. One finds the time to do what he loves. Writing is my passion, my escape. In a way, it is also my meditation.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors looking to break into the fantasy genre?
For any authors seeking to break into the fantasy genre, my advice would be to conjure a story that is exciting and original to you, not following the whims of the market or commercial trends. One must write their own story and, thus, pave their own path. Marketing and selling it will prove to be the bigger challenge when all is said and done, but if you’ve created a great story worth reading, you will find your potential readers. Fantasy lovers enjoy dabbling into new books that speak to them. There are dark fantasy fanatics and high fantasy lovers. The best way to start is to be a fan of your own tale – and write it. We all find inspiration in our favorite authors and artists. One day, up and coming authors may find inspiration in you.
In your opinion, what are the key elements that make a compelling story for young adult readers?
While I generally write for more mature readers, I believe young adults wish to be challenged just the same. They want to read about compelling characters with bold motivations that struggle, as many of our youth do, to find themselves in a world rife with chaos. Craft a cast of compelling characters that relate to this model and I believe it will strike a chord in young hearts.
