I opened to chapter nine of Dragon’s Revenge and began to read of the men of the Carr. After a few pages, I found myself immersed in the land. The characters came alive in my mind. My voice adapted to their voices and accent. And that is when it happened. That Yizma moment. “Is this my book? Is this my book?” I was reading something I had written and people were hanging on my words, absorbed in the story. What a humbling experience.

It was great fun though to share the creative process of creating a story with these ladies. To say I came home on cloud nine would be putting it mildly! I was ecstatic!

What’s next? Portland, Oregon. I will be appearing at Portland’s Hidden Treasures author event at Oxford Inn & Suites on Saturday, June 25 from 11-6 pm. I’m providing a signed copy of Dragon’s Future as one of the door prizes. This is a multi-author event. I’m taking personalized, autographed key chains to give away as well.

Then on July 30, I will be in Pioneer Square in Portland for the NW Book Festival. You’ll find me as well as authors S. Smith, A. J. Bakke, and Cindy Parker at booth 40. I’ll have all four of my books and lots of giveaway items. The other authors will have their books as well. If you’re in the Portland area, come check us out.

Where do I get my ideas?

I can get an idea from a sign, from someone else, or from watching television. This most recent one came because of anime. Over the last year, my husband and I have been introduced to anime. Sword Art Online, Ano Hana, RWBY, Angel Beats, and now Your Lie in April have all been played across our TV thanks to our almost nineteen-year-old. As I’ve watched, I’ve realized that all good writing has similar components. I began to wonder what a short story would look like.

The process

An Item

Once I had an idea of a short story with some form of the hero’s round–hero has his world fall apart in some way, tries to put it back together through multiple trials, world comes back together but the hero has grown and changed–then I needed my hero. I began to think of swords. The sword slowly took shape in my mind. A large hand and a half sword. One that would look unwieldy but once it touched your hands it fit.

This came from the many hours I’ve stood at the sword merchant with my son and my husband. After hours upon hours and years of saving, my husband finally purchased an Irish long sword. Sitting on display was the matching dagger. This dagger was huge! It could be a perfect hobbit sword! However, the moment I placed it in my hand, I gasped. It fit perfectly! It wasn’t too big or too clumsy. The pommel seemed made for my hand. The joy of holding it still resonates with me. Therefore, I know what I am saying when I described the sword for my new story.

My sword needed a name as did my character who would wield the weapon. I described my sword to my husband and son. The two of them began to think. Then my husband suggested Kingdom Defender as a name. I loved it. There were so many possibilities now. I could write about a paladin or a father defending his home.

A character

Now that I had a sword, I needed a person who would use it. I began to think through the possibilities. Again, they were endless. At the same time, I found a blog post about anime characters and the sixteen personality traits. I had been introduced to the personalities by my fourteen-year-old son. The website he used gave descriptors to the initials. I didn’t remember I was an INFP, but I could keep “Mediator” in my brain. I looked up the personalities and found “Defender” as a personality type! So, my character will be a Defender in title and in personality.

As I thought of the character, I thought of a man, but yesterday afternoon as I drove home and mulled over my story so far, I wondered why I was limiting myself. I could have a girl defender just as easily as a man. It caused me to ponder.

A reason for defending

Who or what is Defender protecting? If it’s a guy, is he defending his home or his kingdom? Is he fighting for a king or is he protecting his family? If it’s a girl, is she protecting a kingdom or is she fighting for her child? All are good questions, but I don’t have an answer to them yet.

Other characters

After I answer these questions, I also have to think of other players in the story. Who will they be? Since I had pulled up the personalities, I thought it could be fun to just throw some different personalities together and see what they did. I began to think of the many plot lines that did this–Star Wars, The Hobbit, Serenity, and The Lord of the Rings to name a few. So, to go with my defender who is quiet, shy, humble, practical and loyal, but who is reluctant to change, and can take things too personally, I decided an “Entrepreneur” would work. What’s an Entrepeneur? It’s someone who is smart, energetic and very perceptive, but who enjoys living on the edge and doesn’t think about what others feel all the time.

Who is this character going to be? I have no clue. I don’t even know if it is a male or female. I’m open to suggestions.

My mind

Many people think the life of an introvert is quiet and nothing much happens. However, in my daily life, even when I’m on my own, or better still, especially when I’m on my own, my mind is full of activity. I may be writing a blog post in my head or trying to figure out Bennu’s next move in my Ancient Egypt story, or now I might have a Defender banging on the inside of my skull with his sword saying, “Let me out! Tell my story!” If it’s none of these, I’m carrying on conversations on Facebook or Twitter. My life is anything but dull!

As for this Defender, what do you think? Is it a girl or a boy? How old is he or she? What or who are they defending? Why? I’m open to suggestions. You never know, maybe your idea will be used in the story. Leave your comments and share. Add to the Defender’s voice so I can hear the story and tell it.

The reception of the book in the blogging world and online blew me away. In the first week of release, it ranked in the top 100 on Amazon. I was excited and thrilled to say the least. It has continued to pop up in the top 100 in Kindle books for children’s dragon stories two more times. Today being the most recent of those events. Not only was it in the top 100, it was two places above LRW Lee’s second Andy Smithson book! I have found Ms. Lee to be a wonderful woman who has encouraged me in my path as an author. She was the first to congratulate me on the official release of Dragon’s Future. So, to be ranked alongside her work was flabbergasting. To have Dragon’s Future nominated and accepted into the Cybils awards was even more mind-boggling.

Dragon’s Future not only was warmly welcomed out in the world, but it has been greeted with excitement in my local community. My local library had me do a book reading and signing. Both the market and library has my books for sale. The elementary school contacted me to purchase books for the school library. Parents have greeted me and chatted about the book. The amount of people who have purchased Dragon’s Future just because it is my book amazes me.

If all of this wasn’t enough, today Dragon’s Heir book two of the Dragon Courage series is available for pre-order. What path will Dragon’s Heir take? Will the message of the need to temper justice with mercy be greeted with as much acclaim as Dragon’s Future? Only time will tell.