Every story has an origin, and Mada Mariner is no exception.
The earliest version of the story dates back to 2014, when author Domonick Leffler began writing what was originally intended to be an alternate-universe story inspired by the world of Harry Potter. It wasn't meant to become a book series. It was simply a creative project that allowed him to explore his own characters within a familiar magical setting.
Two of those original characters have remained with the series from the very beginning: Mada and Adam. At the time, neither character had the full names readers know today. Mada was simply "Mada," while Adam was known as Adam Potter. His now-famous full name—Adam Edward James Steven Tuber—wouldn't be created until much later, after the story had become its own original universe.
Both characters changed dramatically over the years. Early drafts featured different personalities, different relationships, and very different roles within the story. As the world expanded, so did the characters, becoming richer and more distinct with every revision.
Adam, in particular, underwent one of the biggest transformations. In the earliest concept, he was intended to be a distant descendant of Harry Potter—several generations removed—and his family connection played a major role in the story. As the project evolved into an original fantasy universe, that idea was completely removed. Rather than serving as the heir to an existing legacy, Adam grew into a dependable supporting character whose importance comes from the choices he makes and the friendships he builds.
The decision to separate the story from its original inspiration wasn't made overnight. Over time, new locations, magical systems, history, creatures, and characters began replacing familiar ideas until very little of the original concept remained. What started as a writing exercise gradually became an entirely new world with its own identity, mythology, and future.
Today, Mada Mariner stands as its own original fantasy series. While its earliest drafts helped shape the creative journey, the story has grown far beyond those beginnings into a universe built from years of imagination, revision, and worldbuilding.
Sometimes the best stories don't begin with a perfect plan—they begin with a single idea that refuses to stop growing.
Keep moving forward, Domonick