Tony M. Quintana Interview - Doizemaster: Phantasm Creed ~ JeanBookNerd

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Tony M. Quintana was born in Cancun, Mexico. His writing is influenced by his love of fantasy stories, European monarchy history, and his Hispanic-American heritage. Tony finished college in Texas as a business management major and drama minor. Through his books, Tony aims to promote the values of kindness, service, and self-worth and the importance of environmental preservation. When he’s not writing, Tony loves to travel around the world and explore new cultures from which he then draws inspiration. He currently resides in San Antonio.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
I believe that the most rewarding experience since being published is finally being able to share with the world the story and characters I’ve been crafting for so long. I am able to grow as an author and as a person with each reader that shares their thoughts on my book.

Greatest thing you learned in school?
My years in school taught me how to work with people of different backgrounds and experiences to achieve a common goal. Life will always try to get you out of your comfort zone, so you must be ready to give it your all while respecting and embracing your team’s differences.

What are some of your current and future projects that you can share with us?
I am currently working on the sequel to Doizemaster: Phantasm Creed. Beloved characters will grow to a whole new level, new and exciting places shall be visited, and the story will expand into something bigger and better. I cannot wait to share more info with you guys.

Why is storytelling so important for all of us?
Storytelling is important because it has the power to inspire anyone. Stories teach us valuable lessons that we can apply to our daily lives. This is why books are still around even though technological entertainment has grown exponentially in the last couple of years. One way or another, everything we see around us was created by people who grew up inspired by stories.

Can you tell us when you started DOIZEMASTER: PHANTASM CREED, how that came about?
The first ideas of Doizemaster: Phantasm Creed started swirling inside my head about nine years ago. It wasn’t until four years ago that I decided it was time to turn those crazy, wonderful ideas into words. I was lucky enough to have been able to nurture my story with the inspiration I drew from museums, books, movies, and music.

What do you hope for readers to be thinking when they read your novel?
I want them to feel safe in the world I have created. I want them to feel hopeful that they will find their rightful place if they act with kindness and work hard.

What part of your characters did you enjoy writing the most?
This is a tough one. I believe I enjoyed writing about their backstories the most. After all, we all have backstories that influence who we are and the good and bad choices we make along the way.

What was the single worst distraction that kept you from writing this book?
Without a doubt, procrastination. Fortunately, I have been getting better at ignoring its siren-like call.

If you could introduce one of your characters to any character from another book, who would it be and why?
I know this may sound crazy, but it would be interesting to introduce Dashiel Ermitage (my main character) to Percy Jackson.

TEN FACTS ABOUT DOIZEMASTER: PHANTASM CREED. WARNING, SPOILERS AHEAD.

A Doizemaster is a person that has truly become one with his Doizemant, which is a mythical weapon in the book that can morph. Notable Doizemant users are Dashiel Ermitage, Elias Ermitage, and Markeus Asedia.
When brainstorming for Dashiel’s signature weapon (his Doizemant), I knew it had to be an object that represents balance between strength, agility, and elegance. This is the reason a baton was chosen.
A big part of Doizemaster: Phantasm Creed was written during my trips to Orlando and New York.
In the book, most of the elements that are important to Dashiel ‘s development (people and objects) have blue in them in some way.
Dashiel’s flower pet, Amore, was physically inspired by a rose, an orchid, and a tulip—my favorite flowers.
The idea of Dashiel’s flower pet, Amore, germinating inside an egg-shaped jewel box came to me after seeing an exhibit of jewel boxes at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan.
Born on December 19th, Dashiel Ermitage is adventurous, impulsive, loyal, and freedom-loving. He is a true Sagittarius.
The Alferai Palacette was inspired by the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and the palace of Charles V.
Sofia Spaigne, Dashiel’s Cobalt Phantasm mentor, is a skilled violinist and a fierce warrior. She crafted a special dagger that doubles as a violin bow because a Cobalt Phantasm is always prepared.
When first recruited, each Cobalt Phantasm novice receives a badge with the order’s crest. When they complete their training and join a squadron, the squadron’s assigned animal is engraved into the badge. Dashiel, Sofia, and Sylvain are part of the Ermine Squadron, so their badges have an ermine engraved on them.

What was the last text message you received?
The last text message I received was “I’m here.” This came from a friend that arrived at a restaurant before I did. I was not late; he got there earlier.

What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?
I believe everyone should travel outside of one’s country, discover whole new cultures, and meet people with different lifestyles. Doing this truly expands one’s horizons and clears one’s views of life.

Best date you've ever had?
I would say walking around the city for a little while, then going to a park and having a picnic. The best part is the conversation and random goofiness.

What was the first job you had?
My first job I still have. I am currently a construction coordinator. It’s fun to be able to apply what I learned in school.

Which incident in your life that totally changed the way you think today?
Perhaps a friendship that failed because of me when I was a kid. This experience taught me that friendship is a two-way street. Sorry, I don't really dwell on the past that much, so I am unsure if there is anything else.

First Heartbreak?
I would say it was an unrequited love that took place during my high school years.

Which would you choose, true love with a guarantee of a heart break or have never loved before?
Well, if all my attempts at true love were guaranteed to end with heart break no matter what, it might be a good idea to never love in the first place. The first person I need to make sure is emotionally stable is myself.

When bloodthirsty metal soldiers from the empire of Zaphyrelia infiltrate the divine barrier protecting the magically-infused oasis of Azahar, an unlikely hero is found in Dashiel Ermitage, a simple librarian's apprentice with a longing for adventure.

After a valiant battle, with the metallic menace finally defeated, Azahar faces a greater problem: the barrier that protects the land is weakening, leaving them vulnerable to their enemy.

Dashiel's wish for excitement becomes a reality when he is recruited to join the Cobalt Phantasms, an elite order that hopes to provide relief to the Zaphyrolean people suffering under a tyrannical rule. Armed with a mythical weapon and a childhood dream, he must leave Azahar and find a way to protect the town he loves on a journey that takes him through a wonderful but dangerous 19th-century world of flourishing machines and dwindling magic.

His new life, however, is threatened by a long-held secret that if shared, will end his adventuring.

Will Dashiel prove to be the hero Azahar needs to overcome their enemies, or will this closely guarded secret destroy his chances to save everything he holds dear?

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