Romantasy BookCon featured author, Dawn Darling, spilled the tea with The LitBuzz in an exclusive Q&A!
What should new-to-you readers know about your books before diving in?
My friend told me to say, “I need therapy, and check the CWs.”
Mr. Darling told me to say, “I’m just a mentally ill gremlin trying to therapize myself through writing the most f’ed up shiz imaginable.”
I’m going to say, “Expect the unexpected. Read into everything. Embrace the chaos.”
You have been able to create such a unique and atmospheric spin on Greek mythology, where do you get your inspiration?
A fascination with the dark so deep it’s probably illegal. Psychology and mythology and have always been one of my silent obsessions. Putting them together only seemed natural. I like to explore the taboo side of fantasy which is non-romanticization of the world. There’s not a single Greek god out there who was ever described as kind. Psychologically, we have a natural need to romanticize that to make it digestible, and I like to explore and exploit that.
Example: Tate Langdon from American Horror Story, season 1. He was an AWFUL person who did TERRIBLE things, both in life and in death. So why then at the end of the season are we left heartbroken for him? Where in his story line did we forget those terrible things and root for him as a character? The answer: romanticizing his better qualities to make his flaws more digestible, and even forgettable or forgivable. The same concept applies to Ted Bundy and the reactions to his televised trial, or Disney’s retellings of some of the Grimm Brother tales.
Fascinating. I love it. Consequently, I’m realizing that I may be the real life version of Heath Ledger’s adaptation of the Joker. I’ll be waiting for my grippy socks.
How do you fill your creative well?
A combination of a few things. A lot of my story components, especially characters and scenes, are born through music. You know how sometimes you hear that one song that gives you goosebumps, and so then you listen to it over and over until someone in your life begs you to stop? Those songs in addition to human behavior, TV shows and heavy weight training. I’ve written some of my best scenes on leg day after binge watching American Horror Story.
Is there a trope would you like to write but haven’t been able to yet?
This is a tough one. I am terrible at trope identification, so I’ll tell you who and what I’m dying to write.
1) A Lilith adaptation and her story before/after Eden.
2) A Snow White and the Huntsman style romance with some Game of Thrones twists. Jeoffrey and Cersei had some of my favorite dynamics in that show and I’m dying to explore that.
What is your favorite genre to read?
Fantasy romance or RomComs. There is enough dark stuff going on inside my head that I don’t need to read more of it, ha! I’ll read anything by Ali Hazelwood, and Lyssa K. Adams’ Bromance Book Club series is always a go to when I need something light, romantic and funny. My ultimate go to though is Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve read that series.
Who is your current favorite book boyfriend?
I don’t know if you’ve met Mr. Darling, but he is THE book boyfriend and I’ve yet to find a character who stands up to even half of his height. BUT. I can offer you a few romances I’ve been enjoying: Camilla and Nico (House of Bane and Blood by Alexis L. Menard), Jane and Soren (Secrets of Jane by Charlotte Mallory), and Elyria and Cal (Sun Serpent by Geneva Monroe).
What book is on your nightstand?
….. Are you going to laugh if I say Twilight? I may or may not be doing my seasonal re-read…
And ten copies of my own books that I’m annotating for my top tier Kickstarter backers.
What is your go to writing snack/beverage?
Well, I’m bipolar so it changes with the breeze. PSLs and Dove dark chocolate for my sunshine side, the blood of virgins and peanut M&Ms for the angry, underwater sea creature side. It also comes out for buffalo chicken dip and Coca-Cola.
What can we look forward to seeing from you in 2025?
I have BIG plans for 2025! I’ll be completing the Of Gods and Monsters trilogy and sending it out on a high note with a huge Kickstarter. Up next is a spin-off to the series featuring everyone’s favorite side characters –– Tor and Nyx. I’ll also be working on a serial story exclusive to my Patreon that is totally new! It’s like if The Crow met Euphoria and I am DYING to start working on it.
Dawn Darling
Dark Fantasy Romance Author
Amanda is a proud Alaskan who now resides in District 10 with her husband and 2 kids. As a full-time working mom, her time to read is precious and she uses it to devour as many books as possible. While romance in all it’s forms is her go-to, she has recently developed a love of thriller/mysteries and is so excited to explore a whole new genre!
