INTERVIEW: Tim Marquitz

Speculative Book Review is a huge fan of Tim Marquitz's work and when he offered to do an interview and catch up we jumped at the chance. 

Speculative Book Review: It has been a while since you last stopped by, care to reintroduce yourself to the Speculative Book Review readers?

Tim Marquitz: Howdy, everyone. I’m Tim Marquitz, author, editor, publisher, and cook and personal manservant—according to my wife. My primary series is the Demon Squad, and urban fantasy romp with tons of action and juvenile humor, but I have a ton of stuff out there, to include a number of anthology appearances through several presses such as Night Shade and Grim Oak Press.

SBR: Why should Influx, Clandestine Daze be the next book everyone reads?

TM: Because it rocks, of course. That aside I’ve seen a trend in urban fantasy where all the main characters are touted as these badass malcontents and yet most of them never live up to it. They stick their toe into the gray and claim badness but that’s not the case with Influx. Z, in the guise of Theodor Crane, the man he killed to usurp his identity, is a guy who does what he has to please his masters. He might not want to be bad but he is, his life and existence at the whim of others.

To answer your question more directly, I think folks should read Influx because it’s raw and gritty and allows them to walk on the dark side for a little while without having to get their hands dirty.

SBR: Who or what is your inspiration for the character and his powers?

TM: My inspiration for Z is really an amalgam of experiences, mostly role playing and literary. The idea of having a character who can be anyone, literally, and slither into people’s lives holds a thrilling and disturbing interest for me. I mean, you never know who anyone really is in life but to have someone capable of taking someone’s life and becoming that person has so much potential that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore it.

SBR: Which character from Influxdo you most identify with?

TM: With most of my books I tend to identify most with the main character as they are the closest representation of the inner me, the voice that dictates their actions and lives. Z is no different. I can picture myself in his position and empathize with what he’s forced to do. He’s playing a role in life, the same as all of us. His just happens to include murder and mayhem and stepping into the lives of the family of the man he killed.

SBR: Which character was the most difficult/easiest to write and why?

TM: As above, Z is the easiest to write as his core character comes from me. The lines he crosses and moral quandaries are made real, thus easier, by my contemplating them as I lay them down.

As for most difficult, I really don’t have a character that’s hard. Because I outline my stories entirely I have a pretty good idea of each and every character’s motivation from the start. I know what they want and need and where they need to end up so it’s simply a matter of leading them there.

SBR: What is the most satisfying aspect to writing?

TM: I think it’s the concept of creating something that other people dig. Being able to make up a stories and have people from all over the world read and enjoy or hate what I’m doing is the most satisfying. I get to make things up, completely slip into my own headspace and create, and people will sit down and read it. That’s amazing stuff for me.

SBR: The Clandestine Daze series is a completely new adventure with new characters and

situations from your previous (or should we say ongoing) series, Demon Squad, how hard is it to keep things fresh without repeating some of the great moments from the other series?

TM: In some ways it’s hard. I mean, how many ways can you write a fight scene or plot a novel? There are always some similarities involved no matter what you do. The goal is to delve deep into the point of view character(s) and establish a world entirely through their eyes. I feel, if I succeed in doing this, everything will look fresh as the characters are all different people with their own agendas and goals and dreams. It’s like giving the same prompt to a dozen writers. The stories will all be different in the end because each writer brings their own perspective to the story and that influences their characters and world.

SB: Influx is the first book in the Clandestine Daze series, and Eyes Deep is the prequel novella, what direction will you be taking the series and how many novels are planned for the series?

TM: I have this vague idea that the current Clandestine Daze arc started with Influx will last three books, not counting Eyes Deep. Because of Z’s ability to be anyone and anything, I really want to explore these other lives he’s had or will have. I think tying him into a single being, in this case Theodor, I’m limiting the story potential. I really want to explore these different lives and show where Z came from and where he’s headed.

 SBR: What authors/works have most influenced you and what type of influence (e.g. good/awful) were they?

TM: Clive Barker has been the most spiritual of influences on me and my writing. When I sit down to write I imagine his prose and openness and perversity and that has been the centerpiece of my work. More directly, Jim Butcher has influenced the Demon Squad and how I go about writing the series. The attitude, the basic concept, and the style are all influenced by him.

SBR: What are you currently reading and what is in your to-read pile?

TM: I have been too busy lately to read much that isn’t destined to become a Ragnarok Publications book. I’ve relatively recently finished the Half a … series by Joe Abercrombie and managed to sneak a read in of The Liar’s Key by Mark Lawrence. Outside of that I’ve managed some great books by Edward M. Erdelac, Charles Phipps, Rob Hayes, Michael Pogach, Jennifer Brozek, Linda Robertson, and more.

SBR: Aside from your own novels, what series/standalone should people be reading?

TM: The Craig Schaefer Daniel Faust series is a fantastic urban fantasy world to dig into. There’s also Steve McHugh’s Hellequin series. Darker and more traditional fantasy I would suggest Teresa Frohock and Courtney Schafer’s books, both amazing stuff. Check out Zachary Jernigan’s new one too.

SBR: Any last words or thoughts?

TM: Just that I appreciate you having me and letting me ramble on. Thanks.

Tim currently has two books that have just been released, Influx Clandestine Daze and the ninth book in the Demon Squad series, Aftermath. Both books come highly recommended.