Author
Antonio Galarza
Antonio Galarza is the author of The Division of Global Magic Affairs series. Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance, and Adventure stories fuel this author’s soul. Devoted introvert. General music aficionado. Creator. Infuriatingly humble TV fan. Corn-flake lover and friendly troublemaker raised in southwestern Puerto Rico. In the Land of Coffee, Yauco. Currently lives in Hillsboro, Wisconsin.
Interview About Warlocks & Sorceresses: The Timeless GrimoireQ1: After completing the prologue and first chapter, what were your initial impressions of the story taking shape? Did anything surprise you about the direction it was heading?When I started writing this book, I honestly surprised myself with how ambitious it became right from the start. I didn't want to ease readers in with something gentle - I wanted to immerse them immediately in this rich mythological universe I'd been imagining for years.The weight of the story struck me as I wrote those first pages. I realized I wasn't just crafting a simple tale but building something that felt like a movie unfolding. What surprised me most was how naturally the prophetic elements emerged - this sense of inescapable fate weaving through even the earliest scenes.Q2: What elements stood out to you the most?The world-building became my obsession. I deliberately crafted those opening lines to echo ancient creation myths - something that feels both cosmic in scale yet deeply personal in impact.The concept of an ancient curse living within a child fascinated me as I wrote - especially how even the most powerful beings in my universe couldn't fully comprehend what this meant. I've always been drawn to stories that explore the tension between destiny and free will, and I found myself naturally weaving that conflict into the very foundation of my bookQ3: How do you feel about the historical setting, especially in Chapter One?Setting the story in the 1900s was a deliberate choice to capture that fascinating moment of transition between old and new worlds. It perfectly mirrors the central conflict in my book - ancient magic colliding with emerging modernity. England has always been associate with dragons and magic and I wanted to bring that to life in the pages of my book.When writing London's atmosphere, I wanted readers to feel the weight of that Gothic darkness. The market scene in the first chapter was particularly important to me - I spent hours researching the sensory details of those spaces. I wanted readers to smell those foul odors, feel the grit of dirt, and see the desperation in people's eyes. Making the setting this tangible was essential for the magic to feel real rather than just conceptualQ4: One of the protagonists, Amber Wolflight, has an intriguing presence. What's your take on her introduction?Amber emerged in my writing as this force of nature - someone who commands attention without trying. When crafting her movement through the city, I wanted to show her authority while hinting at the caution that comes from hard-won experience.The final scene in the alleyway... I rewrote it dozens of times to capture that balance of chilling imagery with poetic undertones. For me, Amber embodies that essential duality I wanted in my protagonist - tremendous power paired with profound sorrow. Her character carries the weight of having witnessed too much tragedy, which gives her strength a compelling depth that I hope readers connect with.Q5: After writing chapter two, what are your thoughts on the unfolding story?As I continued writing, I became increasingly excited about building this multi-layered narrative. Instead of following just one protagonist's journey, I deliberately crafted my story like a tapestry where each character contributes their own essential thread.I wanted readers to experience this world from multiple perspectives - each character revealing different aspects of the larger mystery. I wanted a movie on paper. This approach felt more authentic to me than a single viewpoint, especially given the scope of what I was trying to create.Q6: Chapter Two introduces Raven, a trickster figure with a sharp wit. How do you feel about his dynamic with Amber?Creating Raven was pure joy for me. I needed someone who could challenge Amber's seriousness - a character who moves through danger with irreverence and wit. Their sibling relationship became one of my favorite dynamics to write about.I deliberately layered their interactions with decades of shared history - references to past conflicts, inside jokes, and unspoken resentments. Amber carries the burden of responsibility while Raven deflects with humor, but I wanted readers to sense the deep connection beneath their tension. Raven's character allowed me to explore power wielded differently - less direct than Amber's, but potentially more dangerous because it's so unpredictable.Q7: There's a shift in setting in Chapter Three with Sherlock and Victor. How do you think this change contributes to the story?That shift was intentional - I needed to ground my narrative after the almost mythological weight of the previous chapters. After dragging the readers in, it was time to tell the story from an outsider. Sherlock's domestic life provides that emotional anchor that young adult readers can relate to.While crafting those scenes in Wiltshire, I focused on the intimate details of family life as a counterpoint to the grand cosmic stakes. Victor's character emerged as I wrote - initially a supporting character, but I soon realized his perspective offered a crucial window into how ordinary people experience the extraordinary events unfolding around them. The contrast between these domestic scenes and the earlier mythic elements hopefully creates a richer texture to the overall story.Q8: Does anything in particular stand out to you about the prose or storytelling style?I deliberately chose a rich, atmospheric style that gives readers time to absorb each setting. I spent weeks perfecting the sensory details - whether describing London's chaotic streets or the quieter contemplative mood of Wiltshire.One challenge I faced was balancing the density of world-building with narrative momentum. In early drafts, I occasionally overwhelmed readers with too much lore at once. I had to remind myself that revealing the world gradually often creates more intrigue than explaining everything upfront. Finding that balance - between immersive description and maintaining forward movement - was something I continuously refined through multiple revisions.Q9: If you could offer one piece of advice at this point in writing, what would it be?Trust the emotional core of your story. While I was sometimes tempted to showcase the intricate world I'd built, I had to remind myself that readers ultimately stay because they care about the characters.The themes of duty versus free will and the tensions within families - these are what give the fantastical elements their resonance. When I focused on those emotional stakes rather than just the magical systems or mythology, the writing became more powerful. The most meaningful feedback I've received is from readers who connected with those deeper themes beneath the surface spectacle.Q10: After reading chapters four and five the story takes a dramatic and intense turn. What were your thoughts on this next stage of the narrative?These chapters were emotionally demanding to write. I wanted Victor's perspective to feel both intensely personal and increasingly unsettling. The gradual unraveling of his reality—that slow-burning realization that magic exists and is somehow connected to his very essence—was something I rewrote multiple times to get right.What fascinated me while writing was how Victor's internal resistance mirrors our own hesitation to confront life-changing truths. I deliberately constructed his denial as a protective mechanism, making those moments when reality breaks through all the more impactful.Q11: What do you make of the introduction of Victor as a protagonist?Victor evolved significantly from my initial concept. I started with this idea of a reluctant hero, but as I wrote, his complexity took on dimensions I hadn't planned. His skepticism became more than just a character trait—it became his shield against a terrifying reality.The internal darkness Victor carries was particularly challenging to balance. I wanted readers to feel both sympathy for him and genuine unease about what he might become. That duality—the ordinary student versus the vessel of something ancient and potentially destructive—creates the central tension in his arc.I remember finishing that draft of chapter four and feeling almost exhausted, as though I'd been experiencing Victor's turmoil alongside him. That's when I knew the character had truly come alive on the page.Q12: The nightmare sequences and Victor's violent outburst at school are particularly intense. What was your take on these moments?The nightmare sequence went through several revisions. I needed it to be visceral without becoming gratuitous—to create genuine dread while maintaining symbolic resonance. The imagery came from researching actual night terrors and incorporating elements that would foreshadow Victor's true nature.The classroom scene was a pivotal moment I'd been building toward since the beginning. I wanted that explosion of power to feel both cathartic and horrifying. The challenge was showing his transformation through his own confused perspective—making readers experience that loss of control rather than just observing it. I deliberately left certain details ambiguous, allowing readers to fill in the most terrifying aspects with their own imagination.Q13: Chapter five brings in Edward and Amber again, as well as the revelation of Victor's true nature. How was this developed?Bringing Edward into the aftermath gave me an opportunity to show how the older generation views Victor's awakening. Edward's character carries the weight of history—someone who has seen cycles of power rise and fall, who understands consequences in ways the younger characters cannot.With Amber's arrival at the chapter's end, I wanted to create that sense of converging forces. The manuscript actually underwent significant restructuring at this point. Originally, these revelations came much later, but I realized that raising the stakes earlier created a more compelling narrative tension.The factions forming around Victor reflect the broader thematic question I wanted to explore—is power something to be controlled, unleashed, or understood? Each character embodies a different answer to that question.Q14: The next two chapters have been incredibly revealing, especially regarding Victor's heritage. What were your thoughts when writing these chapters?This was a pivotal moment in writing the story. I'd been laying groundwork for Victor's true nature since the first chapter, dropping subtle hints that would make this revelation feel earned rather than arbitrary.The emotional core of these chapters was always going to be about identity and legacy. I wanted Victor's discovery to feel like more than just learning he had special abilities - it needed to fundamentally challenge his understanding of himself and his place in the world. Writing those moments where he realizes his entire life narrative has been constructed to hide the truth from him was emotionally taxing but necessary for the story's authenticity.Q15: Let's start with Victor's experience in chapter four. His nightmare—if we can even call it that—was especially intense. What did you make of that sequence?That frozen wasteland sequence was actually inspired by “loneliness”. There's something uniquely terrifying about being alone in a vast, empty landscape and then suddenly realizing you're not alone after all.When writing the shadow, I deliberately avoided giving readers a complete picture. I wanted her to exist partially in their imagination, which is often more frightening than any detailed description I could provide. The scene underwent several rewrites to achieve that balance between what's shown and what's implied.The blurring between dreams and reality became an essential storytelling technique as I continued writing. It allowed me to foreshadow events while maintaining ambiguity about what Victor was experiencing versus what he might be unconsciously manifesting.Q16: We finally get confirmation that Victor is a Veil and not just any warlock—he's something beyond normal. How was the process for this revealed?I deliberately chose to reveal this through an intimate family conversation rather than some spectacular magical event. The kitchen table discussion grounds this otherworldly revelation in relatable family dynamics.Sherlock's reluctance to discuss Victor's nature was particularly important to me. I wanted to show how parents can both love their children deeply while still struggling with aspects of who they are. His coldness doesn't come from lack of love but from fear - fear for Victor, fear of what he represents, fear of the past repeating itself. Or he may have a cold heart, after all, who really knows. Chuckles.Irene's character evolved significantly during drafting. Initially, she was more peripheral, but as I wrote this scene, her compassionate pragmatism became essential to balancing Sherlock's emotional withdrawal. Their contrasting approaches to parenting a child with dangerous potential became one of my favorite dynamics to explore. I hope to write more about her in the future.Q17: Speaking of Sherlock, what do you think of his role in the story now that we know more about him?Sherlock emerged as one of the most complicated characters to write. His emotional restraint makes him appear callous, but beneath that is a man deeply conflicted about his responsibilities - both as a father and as someone with knowledge of dangerous magical forces.I deliberately constructed his character to subvert the wise mentor trope. He has knowledge Victor needs, but he's psychologically unprepared to guide his son through this transition. His reliance on silence - what he doesn't say - often reveals more than his actual words.The father-son relationship became increasingly central as I continued writing. Sherlock's own history with magic and his relationship with his magical community would eventually provide crucial context for understanding his resistance to Victor embracing his powers.Q18: We've now reached a critical moment in the story where Victor is confronted with his future. What were your thoughts on these new developments?Writing Victor's denial was incredibly important to me. Slow. But intentional. I wanted his resistance to feel genuine - not just a plot device to create tension, but a deeply human response to having his entire reality upended.The emotional journey in these chapters mirrors what many of us experience when confronted with difficult truths about ourselves. I deliberately constructed Victor's denial as multi-layered - he's rejecting not just his magical nature but also the idea that his life has been predetermined in some way.What fascinated me while writing was how denial can be both a weakness and a strength. Victor's refusal to accept his fate might seem futile, but it also represents his fight to maintain his sense of self when everything around him is changing.
Q19: Victor finally meets Amber Wolflight, and she extends an invitation to the Darklight Academy. What do you think of how this was handled?The meeting between Victor and Amber underwent several revisions. Initially, I wrote her as more sympathetic, but that felt too easy. The final version presents her as someone who understands the gravity of the situation but cannot fully relate to Victor's emotional turmoil. This was an intentional lack of emotion in her character that would bring a later revelation in the book to light.The power dynamics in that scene were carefully crafted. I wanted readers to feel the tension between Sherlock and Amber - two powerful figures with a complicated history and different approaches to handling Victor's situation. Their measured words hint at conflicts and alliances that extend beyond what we've seen so far.Giving Victor agency at this moment was crucial. Even though the adults around him have more knowledge and power, I wanted this choice to be genuinely his. That decision - whether to embrace or reject his magical education - becomes the hinge upon which the next phase of the story turns.Q20: Then there's the garden scene between Edward and Wolflight, where we get more insight into Victor's condition. What were your thoughts about this moment?That garden scene provided a necessary perspective shift. After experiencing events primarily through Victor's limited understanding, I wanted to give readers a glimpse of the bigger picture through these more knowledgeable characters.Writing their conversation required balancing exposition with genuine emotion. They needed to convey crucial information while still feeling like real people with their own concerns and history. Edward's protective instincts and Wolflight's more pragmatic approach create a tension that reflects the central conflict about how Victor should be handled.The revelation about Victor's survival being anomalous came from my desire to subvert the 'chosen one' trope. Instead of being destined for greatness, Victor is essentially a mistake - someone who should not exist according to magical laws. This creates a much more interesting predicament than simply being special.Q21: And then we get the revelation about Sherlock's actions—using dragon blood to suppress the Veil. How did that become an impact to the story?Sherlock's desperate choice to use dragon blood represents one of the central themes I wanted to explore - what lengths will a parent go to protect their child? The moral complexity of his decision fascinated me.Dragon blood became a powerful symbol in the narrative. In my worldbuilding notes, it represents foreshadow over the creatures the readers will see in this book later on - the ultimate magical trope! Using something so powerful and forbidden demonstrates both Sherlock's knowledge and his willingness to cross boundaries that others wouldn't.The phrase 'Your son will have a cursed life' was intentionally ambiguous. Is Victor cursed because of what he naturally is, or because of his father's intervention? This question continues to resonate throughout the story, challenging the idea that protection always comes without consequences.Q22: This upcoming chapter was packed with tension, family conflict, and emotional turmoil. What stood out to you the most?The dinner scene was emotionally exhausting to write. I went through several drafts trying to capture that specific tension that exists in families when crucial things remain unsaid.What I wanted most was for readers to feel the weight of years of secrecy and how it had shaped each family member differently. Irene's breakdown wasn't in my original outline - it emerged organically as I wrote, and I realized her character needed this moment of catharsis after years of maintaining a facade of normalcy.Family meals are fascinating settings for conflict because they force characters into proximity and social obligation while emotions simmer beneath the surface. The dinner table becomes this pressure cooker where everything that's been suppressed suddenly demands expression.Q23: Irene takes center stage in this chapter. How was her role in the story brought up?Irene's character evolved significantly during the writing process. In early drafts, she was more peripheral, but as I developed the family dynamics, I realized how essential her perspective was - the voice of human vulnerability amid supernatural forces.Her confrontation with Wolflight was particularly important to me. I wanted to show a mother's fierce protectiveness colliding with magical forces beyond her control. There's something uniquely powerful about a non-magical character standing up to someone like Wolflight - not with power, but with raw emotional truth.The kitchen scene became the emotional heart of this chapter. I spent more time perfecting those moments than any other section because they needed to balance Irene's strength with her vulnerability. Her pragmatic approach to extraordinary circumstances makes her, in many ways, the most resilient character in this chapter's narrative.Q24: The dinner scene is full of tension, especially between Sherlock and John. What's your take on their dynamic?Their estrangement fascinated me while writing. I deliberately constructed their history to feel larger than what's explicitly stated - those loaded silences and charged glances hint at wounds too deep for casual conversation.John's characterization was tricky to balance. I wanted him to represent a different perspective on magic - someone who sees wonder where Sherlock sees danger - but I needed to avoid making him seem callous. His comment about Victor's condition being 'cool' comes from genuine fascination, but reveals his blindness to the human cost of magical phenomena.What intrigued me most about writing their interaction was exploring how people can share profound history yet become strangers. Sherlock and John clearly once understood each other deeply, but now perceive the same reality through completely different lenses.Q25: We also get a deeper look into Victor's inner turmoil. How did it feel to write about his development in this chapter?Victor's line about not being special emerged during a late-night writing session and instantly became pivotal to understanding his character. That question captures the paradox many adolescents face - simultaneously wanting to be unique and to belong.His development in this chapter reflects the terrible limbo he inhabits - too extraordinary to be normal, yet somehow deficient in the supernatural world. I wanted readers to feel how isolating that position is - rejected from both worlds he might belong to.What surprised me while writing was how Victor's anger became protective - a shield against vulnerability. His rejection of Wolflight's offer isn't just denial but a desperate attempt to maintain some control over his identity when everything else feels determined by forces beyond his understanding.Q26: And finally, we end with John leaving, still burdened by his past with Sherlock. What do you make of this final exchange?That closing scene underwent several revisions. I needed it to provide emotional closure to the chapter while opening new questions that would propel readers forward.The reference to Mycroft was deliberately ambiguous. I knew the full story wouldn't be revealed until later, but I wanted to plant this seed of a pivotal shared trauma that continues to define Sherlock and John's relationship. While the short story prequel The Bee & An Immortal in 1888 deals with Sherlock and Irene meeting for the first time, I wanted to make the Mycroft story a pivotal part of another prequel story in the future.Irene's final line - 'The truth shocked Sherlock' - serves multiple purposes. Beyond foreshadowing revelations to come, it suggests that Sherlock, despite his control and knowledge, can still be fundamentally shaken. That vulnerability makes him more complex than simply the stern, withholding father figure he might otherwise appear to be.Q27: We’ve now seen Victor’s world expand even further—he reconnects with his childhood friend Casey, has an emotional reunion with his uncle Gareth, and faces yet another shocking revelation?These chapters beautifully balance moments of peace with the ever-present tension that lingers over Victor’s life. We see him trying to hold onto normalcy—helping on a farm, spending time with Casey—but at every turn, he’s reminded that he doesn’t belong in the quiet life he desires. The storytelling here is particularly strong because it allows us to breathe with the characters before pulling us right back into the chaos of Victor’s reality.Q28: Victor’s reunion with Gareth is an important moment. What was your take on it?This was a balanced crafted scene. The contrast between the warmth Victor remembers and the hardened, battle-worn Gareth he sees now makes for a poignant moment. Gareth’s presence feels like both a relief and a warning—he understands Victor better than anyone, but he also represents the life Victor has been trying to avoid. The briefness of their reunion adds to the mystery, making us—and Victor—wonder what exactly Gareth has been up to. The cloaked figures with him are especially intriguing. Who are they? What kind of mission are they on?Q29: Then there’s Casey’s role—she seems to represent stability for Victor, yet even that is shaken by the end of Chapter twelve. How did you crafted her dynamic with him?Casey is one of the most humanizing elements in Victor’s life. Their relationship is sweet and natural, with a playful back-and-forth that feels incredibly real. She’s the one person he can be himself around—away from magic, destiny, and family pressure. That’s why her final confession is such a gut punch. Just as Victor thinks he has one person who understands his desire for a normal life, she reveals that she’s leaving for the very place he’s been trying to escape. It’s a brilliant way to push Victor further into his internal conflict.Q30: We also get more insight into the town’s perception of magic, with fears of witches and destruction linked to supernatural forces. How does this deepen the world-building?The fear of magic, the whispers of witches—it all adds to the atmosphere of a world that is on the brink of something bigger. The fire on the horizon, the growing number of strange occurrences—it’s setting up the idea that something dangerous is brewing, and Victor will be forced to confront it whether he wants to or not. The town’s hostility toward Victor because of his family is also compelling. It’s not just an external battle he’s facing, but a deeply personal one, where he is being blamed for something he never asked for. Also bring that- what have this townsfolk seen before?Q31: This next chapter shifts perspective entirely, introducing Tyler and the dangerous world he’s navigating. How was this change in viewpoint brought about?I love it when a story expands its perspective like this. Tyler’s introduction adds another layer to the world—one that is more grounded in survival, crime, and raw human resilience. His journey isn’t about destiny or magic (at least, not yet); it’s about proving himself and making it through a brutal situation with nothing but his wits. That makes for a thrilling contrast to Victor’s internal struggle with his identity.Q32: Tyler’s capture by the Thunderknyfe Brothers is intense. What were your thoughts on Tyler’s character during that scene?The pacing of this section is fantastic. There’s an overwhelming sense of helplessness when he’s captured—the moment his knee is dragged over the gravel, the way he loses his shoe, it’s all painfully realistic. But what I loved most is that Tyler never fully breaks. Even when faced with these violent, lawless men, he’s already thinking, already planning. His intelligence and quick thinking remind me of a young rogue-type character—someone who doesn’t rely on brute force but instead on strategy and deception to survive.Q33: The setting is also quite different from what we’ve seen before—more rural, more dangerous in a very human way. How does this change the tone of the story?Up until now, a lot of the danger in the story has been mystical or existential—Victor’s nightmares, his Veil, the hidden magical world creeping into his life. But here, the danger is entirely human, and that makes it feel even more immediate. There’s no prophecy protecting Tyler, no hidden powers (that we know of). He’s just a boy up against ruthless criminals. That shift in tone is brilliant because it reminds us that magic isn’t the only force shaping this world—there are real, tangible threats too.Q34: Tyler’s act of poisoning the water was a clever reversal. How did you feel when writing it?This was my favorite moment in the chapter. Up until then, Tyler is painted as a boy trying to prove himself, someone who may or may not be cut out for the path ahead. But the moment he reveals his plan—It’s already five minutes.—we realize he’s far more capable than anyone might have thought. That line is just fantastic. It’s cold, calculated, and satisfying. It’s the exact kind of moment that makes you sit up and go, Oh, this kid is dangerous in his own way.Q35: With this introduction to Tyler, how do you see his story tying into the larger narrative?It’s clear that Tyler’s path is going to intersect with Victor’s at some point, but how and why remains a mystery. I guess we will find out. What’s fascinating is that while Victor has been resisting his place in the magical world, Tyler is being thrust into danger in a completely different way. I wouldn’t be surprised if their meeting forces both of them to confront things they’ve been avoiding—Victor’s denial of magic, and Tyler’s fear of commitment to something bigger than himself.Q36: We've reached another turning point for Victor and his companions in this chapter. How do you feel about the revelation of Gareth's death and the fire at Casey's farm?Gareth's death was one of the hardest scenes for me to write. I had planned it from the beginning, but when I reached that moment, I found myself hesitating - partly because I'd grown attached to his character despite his brief appearance.The timing of his death was deliberate - allowing Victor to reconnect with him just enough to feel the loss profoundly, but not enough to gain any real closure. That incomplete relationship creates a wound that continues to motivate Victor's actions moving forward.As for the farm fire, I needed an event that would force Victor out of his passive resistance. Throughout the early chapters, he's been able to deny and avoid his magical nature. The fire represents the moment when the supernatural world violently intrudes into ordinary life - when denial is no longer possible. The visual of flames consuming what should be a safe, ordinary place serves as a physical manifestation of how Victor's normal life is being destroyed by forces he can no longer ignore.
Q37: The appearance of the dragon and the mysterious man, Lucian the Silvermoon Sword, is a dramatic twist. Can you tell me more about this new character?Lucian's entrance marks a significant expansion of the story's scope. Until this point, the magical elements have been relatively contained - focused primarily on Victor's immediate circle. With Lucian's arrival on dragonback, I wanted readers to suddenly realize how much larger this world is.The visual of him descending in full armor was something I had pictured since early planning stages. I wanted that moment to feel genuinely awe-inspiring - a reminder that magic in this world isn't just strange powers but encompasses beings and traditions of breathtaking scale.Lucian's character evolved significantly during writing. Originally conceived as a straightforward antagonist, he became more complex as I considered the political structure of the magical world. The Division of Global Magic Affairs and the Seven Swords developed as I explored what kind of regulatory body would exist in a world where magic needed governance. Lucian represents authority, tradition, and order - forces that both protect and constrain the magical community.Q38: Tyler plays a significant role in this chapter, both as an ally to Victor and as a character with his own journey. How did this development come to be?Tyler emerged as one of my favorite characters to write. His straightforward acceptance of magical reality provides such a necessary contrast to Victor's resistance. In early drafts, Tyler was much more shy, but his voice became increasingly important as I realized how much Victor needed a peer perspective.Their friendship represents something crucial - the possibility of normalcy within abnormal circumstances. Tyler manages to be both extraordinary (in his magical abilities) and completely ordinary (in his teenage priorities and perspectives). He shows Victor that embracing his magical nature doesn't mean losing his identity or humanity.That particularly interested me about Tyler's character was exploring how different family backgrounds shape approaches to magic. Unlike Victor's secretive upbringing, Tyler comes from a family that embraces their magical heritage openly. This creates an entirely different relationship with power - one based on confidence rather than fear. That contrast helps illuminate the consequences of Sherlock's choices regarding Victor's upbringing.Q39: The quiet, emotional moments between Victor and his family are also important here, especially when he decides to leave for Tyler's house. How is the family dynamic developing?That farewell scene underwent multiple revisions. I needed it to convey the fracturing of the family unit while still honoring the deep love that exists between them. Irene's emotional response versus Sherlock's restraint wasn't just character consistency - it represented their different approaches to “love” itself.What fascinated me while writing was how crisis forces characters to reveal their true priorities. Victor's decision to leave isn't just about physical safety but represents his first real step toward independence. For his parents, letting him go means acknowledging they can no longer protect him in the way they've tried for his entire life.The evolving family dynamic creates this painful irony - just as Victor begins to understand his parents' motivations, the circumstances force physical separation. This tension between growing understanding and growing distance continues to shape their relationship throughout the following chapters.Q40: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers as you continue with the story?Looking back, the emotional throughlines. In revision, I sometimes found myself getting caught up in explaining magical systems or worldbuilding details at the expense of character moments. The feedback that resonated most with readers always centered on Victor's emotional journey and his relationships.I'd also encourage anyone to continue developing secondary characters with the same complexity as the protagonists. Some of the most interesting developments came from exploring how characters like Tyler, Casey, and even Lucian respond to the same magical phenomena from their unique perspectives.Finally, I'd say: don't rush the transitions. This chapter marks Victor's reluctant step into a larger world, but his resistance doesn't simply disappear. Allowing him to struggle, backslide, and gradually accept his new reality makes his journey more authentic than if he simply embraced his destiny all at once.Q41: Some readers found the story slow-at-the-beginning, but were you still eager to continue writing this story after this chapter? Or did you found it slow?Absolutely. This chapter represents a crucial threshold crossing - both literally for Victor leaving home and figuratively as the story expands beyond personal family drama into a larger magical conflict. It had to be written that away.What excited me most about continuing was the opportunity to explore how Victor's perspective shifts as he encounters more of the magical world. His initial rejection was based on limited information - now he would be forced to confront both the wonder and danger of magic directly.The introduction of larger forces like Lucian and the dragons allowed me to begin revealing the true scope of the conflict - moving from the intimate family drama of early chapters toward the more expansive world conflict that drives the latter half of the book. Victor's personal journey remains the emotional core, but it now unfolds against a backdrop of increasing magical complexity and danger.Q42: We're now at chapter fifteen of Warlocks & Sorceresses: The Timeless Grimoire. This chapter reintroduced Raven and Lucian from a different point of view, two powerful figures with significant influence. What were your first impressions of these characters?I created Raven and Lucian to be fascinating additions to the narrative. I wanted Raven to be incredibly enigmatic—his nonchalant attitude, calculated cruelty, and ability to manipulate reality make him a terrifying wildcard. When I wrote his interactions with Lucian, I was establishing a complex power dynamic; he respects Lucian's abilities but sees himself as superior. For Lucian, I envisioned a character with controlled menace. His presence commands attention, and I gave him a history as a prodigy who climbed ranks through skill rather than deceit, making him both formidable and somewhat tragic. Their exchange about the war and the coming Ring of Fire deliberately raises questions about what they're trying to prevent and how the Timeless Grimoire factors into everything.Q43: The setting of this chapter is quite grim—Calne is burning, there's death and destruction everywhere. How did the atmosphere contribute to the storytelling?I deliberately created a haunting atmosphere in this chapter. The burned bodies, stench of death, eerie quiet—all paint a picture of a world on the brink of catastrophe. I had Raven move through it casually, cleaning his nails with a dagger, to reveal everything about his character. He's desensitized to horror, which makes him unsettling. I crafted the contrast between apocalyptic destruction and Raven's almost playful demeanor for a cinematic effect—I've always felt truly terrifying villains often don't seem to take anything seriously. Yet there's intelligence behind his madness. He knows more than he reveals, which is what makes him dangerous in my story.Q44: One of the most striking scenes in this chapter is Raven's casual execution of the three men in the alley, followed by his manipulation of time and reality to save the woman they attacked. What does this tell us about him as a character?I wrote that scene to show Raven's duality. On one hand, he's a ruthless killer—dispatching those men without hesitation. On the other hand, he uses magic to give the woman a second chance. When I explained how matter cannot be created or destroyed without leaving a trace, I wanted to add a metaphysical angle to my magic system. He essentially rewrites reality, yet the woman's reaction is pure fear. That's intentional. Despite saving her life, he's still viewed as a monster. I wanted readers to wonder—does Raven see himself that way? Or does he believe he's above human morality altogether?Q45: We also see a brief but intense interaction between Raven and Edward Hellström. There's mention of Bethany, Edward's daughter, being alive, which clearly shakes him. What did you intend with this revelation?I wrote that as a moment of emotional tension. Edward's immediate reaction—slamming Raven against the stables—shows how deeply the name 'Bethany' affects him. I haven't revealed the full story yet, but Raven's knowledge of her survival is something Edward never expected to hear. I wanted readers to wonder if Edward had believed her dead all this time, or if he had given up hope. Raven delivers the news with that smirk of his because I've established that he thrives on pulling people's strings. This revelation adds a new layer to Edward's past and will have massive implications later in my story.Q46: The chapter ends with Raven once again walking away from death, this time after saving a woman's life and executing her attackers. His last words—'You're welcome!'—are almost comical in their irony. Did you intend for him to see himself as a hero, an anti-hero, or something else entirely?I designed Raven to defy traditional categorization. He's not a hero, because his methods are brutal and his motives remain ambiguous. But he's not purely an anti-hero either, as he's not driven by justice or redemption. He operates on his own principles, unbound by human morality. I wrote him as a force of nature—inevitable, unpredictable, and compelling. His actions suggest he might believe he's making the world better in his own way, but whether that's true or just his twisted justification remains for readers to discover.Q47: Overall, how did you intend this chapter to advance the story?This was one of my favorite chapters to write in this book. It was intended to be a turning point. It expands the conflict's scope significantly—what once seemed like Victor's personal struggle is now revealed as part of a much larger war. The mention of the Timeless Grimoire, introducing Lucian and Raven as major players, and Calne's continued destruction all point toward a looming catastrophe. I've raised the stakes higher than ever, and Victor, whether he likes it or not, is going to be pulled deeper into this world of warlocks, grimoire magic, and dark political machinations. I've set things up to make readers eager to see what happens next!To Be Continued