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Vampires Turning Back to Human
When Darksome Falls tells the story of a former vampire grappling with her newfound humanity, as she embarks on a journey of redemption, self-discovery, and emotional healing. What inspired you to explore the theme of a vampire choosing humanity over immortality?
When Darksome Falls had not originally been planned. I ended The Darkened Enchantment in a way to end The Dark series, however the series still had one more story left. Melia’s story. One I tried to avoid, but I was justified in writing her story. There are many stories out there about vampires, however there are not as many stories about vampires turning back to human or the day to day life going from extraordinary back to ordinary. A parallel to life, in a way. You can get used to a certain way of life and then change happens, sometimes within our control, but sometimes out of our control. Everyone copes differently.
How did you develop the intricate emotional dynamics between Melia, Levi, and Camille?
The dynamics between Melia and Camille were interwoven through The Dark series books. When Camille was in a bad place, it was Melia who helped her through it. Now the roles were reversed, however Camille takes it a step further due to her motherly protective instincts. The addition of Levi makes it intricate due to a past Camille is haunted by which she didn’t confide everything to Melia. To Melia, Levi is a distraction to avoid coping from her loss.
Did any particular personal experiences or influences shape your portrayal of grief and healing?
Yes and no. When developing the story, I wasn’t focused on anything personal to portray about grief and healing. However, I did go through a personal matter during the writing of the story that in some ways I’m sure got intertwined. The one major theme I was focused on within the pages of the story was self-discovery. Life isn’t fair, but when one reflects back to who they once were to who they are now and embracing what they have overcome, they will realize they have grown. Each small step is self-growth in one’s life journey.
What message or feeling do you hope readers take away from Melia’s journey?
What I hope readers can take away from Melia’s story is, even when you hit rock bottom and think you’ll never be happy again, you have to take life one day at a time. Life is a constant test and you can let yourself drown in despair or search deep within and discover who you are by taking the journey.
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When Darksome Falls
M.C. Ryder’s When Darksome Falls tells the story of Melia, a once-powerful vampire now struggling with human frailty after taking the cure. Her narrative is heavy with grief, self-discovery, and the echoes of her former life. From the very first chapter, Melia’s raw and reflective voice draws readers into a tale of redemption and resilience, offering a unique perspective on a genre saturated with tales of supernatural prowess. This isn’t a story about glory but about loss, healing, and finding a new sense of purpose.
Ryder’s ability to paint vivid emotional landscapes is the book’s strength. Ryder excels at showing rather than telling Melia’s struggles to embrace her humanity are intricately tied to her interactions with characters like Camille and Levi, who mirror her internal conflicts in compelling ways. The themes of redemption and forgiveness are woven deeply into the narrative. Levi’s guilt and Camille’s fiery protectiveness highlight how people cope differently with trauma.
One standout moment for me was when Levi, haunted by nightmares, unintentionally lashes out at Melia, only to spiral into self-loathing afterward. The scene is both terrifying and heartbreakingly real, and it solidified my admiration for Ryder’s ability to make even supernatural characters deeply human. These interactions anchor the book and make its characters unforgettable. The scenes at the mall, while insightful in their exploration of Melia’s humanity, felt drawn out compared to the heart-pounding moments of danger and introspection. Similarly, while the book’s focus on emotional healing is commendable, I believe that some readers may find the slower, introspective narrative less gripping. Ryder seems to favor character depth over plot momentum, which works beautifully in some places but can feel a bit meandering in others.
Ryder seems to suggest that healing isn’t about tidy endings but about finding the strength to keep moving forward. If you’ve ever felt lost, broken, or unsure of your place in the world When Darksome Falls might resonate deeply with you. It’s for fans of thoughtful storytelling with richly developed characters–a gem. I’d recommend it to readers who love introspective fantasy.
Pages: 262 | ASIN: B0DQBMM5YC
See the Light Again
All I See Are Dark Clouds follows a vampire filled with guilt over the death of her best friend who now dedicates her life to helping other nonhumans adapt to life in the human world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I always had 3 stories in mind. All I See Are Dark Clouds was different as I knew exactly what I wanted to portray, grief. Not only did I want to portray grief, but also how one can eventually overcome a dark time and be able to see the light again even if they don’t think they deserve it.
Cammie struggles with her past and how to live her life now as a vampire. Is your main character someone you would get along with usually?
Back in The Darkest Side of the Moon when Camille is introduced, she is a typical teenage girl full of drama that at times can be a turnoff. Now in All I See Are Dark Clouds, Camille, or Cammie, is a shell of herself who generally pushes others away, but has matured beyond her years. Her maturity would be someone I would get along with, if she would let me in.
How do you balance the demands of writing with other responsibilities?
Determination and commitment. I’ve started many writing projects in the past that I never finished. COVID-19 helped me get back in the writing seat when there weren’t many places to go, and I found myself working from home which is why I incorporated the true event into All I See Are Dark Clouds. Learned a lot about myself and writing style in the process as well as gained the confidence to share my stories.
What would you advise young writers trying to build a publishing history or an author platform?
It takes a lot of patience and time. There are many lessons to learn along the way. It’s not about the end goal, selling an abundance of books, it’s about the journey and the steps one takes outside of their comfort zone that allows one to learn and grow.
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