Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Christian Cura
Book Title: In the Midst of Magic
Released: 05/25/22
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “In the Midst of Magic”?
Cura: I got the inspiration for this book by binge-watching The Magicians and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Cura: I researched common names in my characters’ respective cultures. This was especially helpful when I named the different members of the Council and Thalia who all have diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Cura: ‘In the Midst of Magic’ is actually a reboot of my first two books, ‘Dreams of Fire’ and ‘Dreams of Thunder.’ I re-wrote them because I reached a point where I felt I had evolved a lot as an author and was now able to execute this story much better than I did the first time around. I fleshed out the world and the characters’ relationships more, accelerated the pacing, and improved the story structure.
If "In the Midst of Magic" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Cura: I love this question! Kiernan Shipka would definitely be my Kara, and Naomi Scott would be Selene. Camila Mendes would be Daniela, and Tom Hopper would be John. For the role of Charlotte, I would cast Kara Hayward, and for Thalia I would cast Nazanin Boniadi.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Cura: Outlining can help a lot. When I jot down rough ideas and ask myself questions, it frees my mind to explore the ideas percolating in there. I can meditate on this world I’m creating and devise how best to portray it.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Cura: Write consistently. It doesn’t have to be every day, just something you can maintain. The writing part of your brain needs exercise in order to grow. The regular practice is where you refine your style and work on how to make it more engaging for the readers. There is nothing worse than trying to get back into writing after months or years of not writing anything.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Cura: Fantasy and science fiction are definitely my two favorite genres. I always encounter the most fascinating ideas in these kinds of books. I enjoy learning about different imaginary worlds and how the characters inspire each other to evolve and become better versions of themselves.
What are you working on next?
Cura: Right now, I’m working on a science fiction short story titled ‘Heist.’ It’s about a man named Mal whose family is crushed beneath insurmountable debt and resorts to nefarious means to pay it off.
Learn More About the Author and In the Midst of Magic here:
https://www.authorchriscura.com
Instagram: @artistchriscura
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