Becoming a novelist is a major accomplishment, particularly when you’re still a teenager.
Meet Warman’s Markus Bitner. Now 18, he is the author of The Night of Shadows, a gripping fantasy following lead character Jacob – a young man troubled by an illegal connection to magic and a malicious voice inside his head.
Markus began the novel when he was just 16, but by age 10 he already knew he was destined to become a writer.
“After reading N.D. Wilson’s 100 Cupboards, I realized how much I love stories, especially ones with magical elements,” says Markus. “If Wilson could bottle up that much wonder and adventure inside a small stack of paper, I didn’t see why I couldn’t do the same.”
The Night of Shadows takes readers on an epic journey with Jacob as he endeavours to find and save his missing sister. The protagonist is pitted against daunting environments, horrifying dungeons and impossible choices.
From start to finish, Markus wants readers not only to enjoy the adventure but also examine some of life’s deeper and more personal questions. What is the nature of responsibility? How far should forgiveness extend? What is the point of hope?
Markus invites readers to reflect on all of this through their own eyes as well as the eyes of the characters.
The process of writing such a piece is a journey in and of itsel,f and one that is not always easy. It requires a commitment to the long haul and the tenacity to bear with obstacles such as writer’s block, lack of time, anxiety about how the finished work will be received and the occasional lack of motivation.
Yet there are times of pure inspiration.
Markus says he also experiences a state of flow where the story unfolds effortlessly.
“The characters make decisions I don’t anticipate, bringing the story to life and practically writing it for me. That’s when I stop being an author and become a mere observer,” he says.
In addition to writing novels, Markus also enjoys composing music, performing piano and delving deeply into philosophy and theology. After graduating in June from Bishop Mahoney High School, Markus plans to attend the University of Alberta in Edmonton this fall.
The Night of Shadows is the first installment of a trilogy Markus is currently writing and it is now available for purchase on Amazon.