ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Donita K. Paul retired early from teaching school, but soon got bored! The result: a determination to start a new career. Now she is an award-winning novelist writing Christian Romance and Fantasy. She says, “I feel blessed to be doing what I like best.”She mentors all ages, teaching teenagers and weekly adult writing workshops.
“God must have imprinted 'teacher' on me clear down to the bone. I taught in public school, then home schooled my children, and worked in private schools. Now my writing week isn’t very productive unless I include some time with kids.”
Her two grown children make her proud, and her two grandsons make her laugh.
Donita is an award-winning author of the Dragon Keeper Chronicle series including DragonFire and DragonKnight.
When not writing, she is often engaged in mentoring writers of all ages. Donita lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she is learning to paint–walls and furniture! Visit her website at www.dragonkeeper.us.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The fantastic land of Amara is recovering from years of war inflicted on its citizens by outside forces—as well as from the spiritual apathy corroding the Amarans’ hearts. With Kale and her father serving as dragon keepers for Paladin, the dragon populace has exploded. It’s a peaceful, exciting time of rebuilding. And yet, an insidious, unseen evil lurks just beneath the surface of the idyllic countryside.Truth has never been more important, nor so difficult to discern.
As Kale and her father are busy hatching, bonding, and releasing the younger generation of dragons as helpers throughout the kingdom, the light wizard has little time to develop her skills. Her husband, Sir Bardon—despite physical limitations resulting from his bout with the stakes disease—has become a leader, serving on the governing board under Paladin. When Kale and Bardon set aside their daily responsibilities to join meech dragons Regidor and Gilda on a quest to find a hidden meech colony, they encounter sinister forces. Their world is under attack by a secret enemy… can they overcome the ominous peril they can’t even see?
Prepare to experience breathtaking adventure and mind-blowing fantasy as never before in this dazzling, beautifully-crafted conclusion to Donita K. Paul’s popular DragonKeeper Chronicles fantasy series.
If you would like to read the first chapter of DragonLight, go HERE
"DragonLight is a delight, but I wouldn't expect anything less from the marvelous Donita K. Paul. I heartily recommend her books to all ages who love inspirational fantasy and wonderful creatures. Ms. Paul not only supplies imagination and talent, she provides heart and soul. Another winner!"
~KATHRYN MACKEL, author of Boost
"Donita K. Paul is amazing! DragonLight has the allegorical depth to satisfy the most discerning adult seeking spiritual depth, yet it is fun enough to fascinate a child. This book will enthrall, uplift, and if allowed, change lives—as we are gently drawn to realize that each of us is flawed and must have patience with other flawed believers."
~HANNAH ALEXANDER, author of Double Blind
Interview with Donita K. Paul
Once again I'm glad to be able to welcome another writing friend to this blog. Donita is active with several writers' groups in Colorado, and she actively encourages every writer she meets. She's a huge encouragement to me, as a teacher and a writer, and I appreciate her tremendously.
Thank you, Donita, for joining me today.
How did you get started writing, and where has that journey taken you that you may not have expected starting out?
I started as an elementary school teacher. When I could not do that anymore, I turned to writing. I’ve been to Canada and DragonCon, two foreign lands. DragonCon was by far the more unfamiliar. I would have been shocked If I knew my books would be Christian fantasy bestsellers.
How do you balance family life with writing?
I don’t. I’m either frantically writing a book, or copiously loving my family.
How does your walk with the Lord affect your writing? And how do you balance time with the Lord with your writing schedule?
Because I am a Christian, it naturally flows onto the page. My writing schedule is time with the Lord.
Since my blog is geared to writers who want to improve their self-editing, could you briefly take us through your process of writing a novel—from conception to revision?
No. Being brief is not part of my makeup. Okay, I relent. (Did I forget to mention Donita's wonderful sense of humor?)
No, it’s not going to work. I sit down and start. I keep at it doggedly. I revise as I go as a procrastination technique. I use pre-readers and critique partners because I am insecure and need reassurance. I finish and send it off, hoping the editor likes it and doesn’t pester me with rewrites.
What kinds of things do you have to revise once your editor gets done with your manuscript?
Very minor things. I have never had a major rewrite. I do, however, have pre-readers. It is their job to holler if there is a gaping hole in the story line.
Would you tell us a little about your future projects?
I am working on another fantasy novel. It is set in the same world as Amara, in a different country. The story follows a young emerlindian named Tipper. Most of the characters are new, but there will be some encore appearances as well.
My daughter and I wrote two picture books about a dragon and a turtle who are best friends. Those come out in the Fall of 2009.
A friend of mine, who is a cognitive learning specialist, and I are co-writing an emergent reading series called Dragon Readers.
Finally, would you discuss DragonLight? The research, the idea, and the scope of the project?
Hmmm? Considering the way I answered the previous questions, do you seriously still think I even know the “scope of the project”? I will say that the Dragon Keeper Chronicles turned out to be more allegorical of the Christian walk than I anticipated. In a nutshell you could say:
DragonSpell—finding your talent
DragonQuest—developing your talent
DragonKnight—using your talent
DragonFire—teaching your talent to another similarly gifted
DragonLight—passing the mission on to the next generation
Thank you so much, Donita! We appreciate your time and the opportunity to spotlight your work.
Posts
2 comments:
Oh, Margie, that was fun to read. I wrote that during a deadline crunch, and I didn't even remember how I'd answered.
Thanks for having me on your blog.
Wonderful interview, ladies.
Becky
Post a Comment