The Adventurous Author | How to Write a Book, Character Development, Beat Writer’s Block, Creative Writing, World Building

087 || Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 38 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel

It's Fantasy Fiction Friday! I’ve got chapter 38 of the Dragon Collector coming your way today. 
In this chapter, you get to meet two new dragons, Dahlia and Eli. Dahlia is the evil king’s Dawn Stalker, and Eli is his Dusk Stalker. You’ll find Dahlia is a bit of a snob, and Eli…well, writing about Eli’s appearance in this scene broke my heart. 
Listen in to find out why.
Next Steps:
**Register for the FREE Revolutionize Your Writing Masterclass.** The On-Demand Virtual Experience launches October 11! Master the art of organizing your story ideas in Notion to set yourself up for fiction writing success.
Escape into the Land of Zandador:
Get your free D.K. Drake Starter Library
Purchase one or all of the Dragon Stalker Bloodline Saga books on Amazon.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:
“I love The Author D.K. Drake Show!” If that sounds like something you’d say, please rate and review this show. Your rating and review helps the show get found by other authors with big writing dreams. It’ll take a quick 30 seconds to scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then share what you enjoyed most about this episode.
And if you haven’t already done so, follow the podcast. That way you’ll never miss an episode and will be better prepared to write and publish your novel. Follow now!

086 || How to Finish 2023 Strong as a Christian Author

As of today, November 2, 2023, you have two months left in the year. 8.5 weeks. 60 days. That means you have time before the end of the year to start a new writing project or make progress on or even finish a project you are already working on. So what do you want to achieve? How will you finish 2023 strong?
Listen in for three tangible tips to finish 2023 strong and to hear what I intend to accomplish by Dec 31, 2023.  Let’s do this.
Your friend,
DK
Next Steps:
**Register for the FREE Revolutionize Your Writing Masterclass.**
The On-Demand Virtual Experience shows you how to master the art of organizing your story ideas in Notion to set yourself up for fiction writing success.
Escape into the Land of Zandador:
Get your free D.K. Drake Starter Library
Purchase one or all of the Dragon Stalker Bloodline Saga books on Amazon.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:
“I love The Author D.K. Drake Show!” If that sounds like something you’d say, please rate and review this show. Your rating and review helps the show get found by other authors with big writing dreams. It’ll take a quick 30 seconds to scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then share what you enjoyed most about this episode.
And if you haven’t already done so, follow the podcast. That way you’ll never miss an episode and will be better prepared to write and publish your novel. Follow now!

085 || Try This Trick to Write a Memorable Final Scene of Your Novel

If you’re not sure how to end — or start — your story, this episode is for you. I’ll share a tip I thought was ridiculous when I first heard of it: bookending. Then I started seeing this technique being used in almost every story I read and movie I watched. Listen in to find out what bookending is, why it's popular, and how to use it like a pro.
Your friend,
DK
Next Steps:
Register for the FREE Revolutionize Your Writing Masterclass. The On-Demand Virtual Experience is now available! Master the art of organizing your story ideas in Notion to set yourself up for fiction writing success.
Escape into the Land of Zandador: Get your free D.K. Drake Starter Library
Purchase one or all of the Dragon Stalker Bloodline Saga books on Amazon.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:
“I love The Author D.K. Drake Show!” If that sounds like something you’d say, please rate and review this show. Your rating and review helps the show get found by other authors with big writing dreams. It’ll take a quick 30 seconds to scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then share what you enjoyed most about this episode.
And if you haven’t already done so, follow the podcast. That way you’ll never miss an episode and will be better prepared to write and publish your novel. Follow now!

084 || Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 37 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel

Happy Friday! I’m reading chapter 37 of The Dragon Collector for you today. 
This chapter starts the setup of the events leading to the end of Act II and the final turning point that launches the story into Act III. 
In this chapter, Javan finds himself in the middle of a massive slow-moving crowd.
Usually when I’m in a crowd, it’s because I’m on my way to an event like a play or a professional ball game or because I’m at an amusement park and navigating my way to fun rides. The crowds aren’t fun, but the destination is.
Not so for Javan. He’s stuck in a crowd that is gathering to watch an execution. Even worse, the person being executed is his mother. 
Tune in to find out what he sees and feels and hears as he marches with the crowd.
Your friend,
DK
Next Steps:
**Watch the FREE Revolutionize Your Writing Masterclass.**
The On-Demand Virtual Experience is now accessible. Master the art of organizing your story ideas in Notion to set yourself up for fiction writing success.
Escape into the Land of Zandador: Get your free D.K. Drake Starter Library
Purchase one or all of the Dragon Stalker Bloodline Saga books on Amazon.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:
“I love The Author D.K. Drake Show!” If that sounds like something you’d say, please rate and review this show. Your rating and review helps the show get found by other authors with big writing dreams. It’ll take a quick 30 seconds to scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then share what you enjoyed most about this episode.
And if you haven’t already done so, follow the podcast. That way you’ll never miss an episode and will be better prepared to write and publish your novel. Follow now!

083 || 2 Simple Ways to Solve 1 Big Writing Problem for Fiction Authors

In today’s episode, I share one of the biggest mistakes I made as an author that cost me countless hours of wasted time, disorganized chaos, and confusion. I have a hunch you might be making the same mistake.
If so, no worries. I have two solutions for you that will help you save time, bring order to the chaos, and gain clarity for your writing projects.
Let’s dive in. 
Your friend,
DK
Next Steps:
**Register for the FREE Revolutionize Your Writing Masterclass.**
The On-Demand Virtual Experience is now live! Master the art of organizing your story ideas in Notion to set yourself up for fiction writing success.
Escape into the Land of Zandador:
Get your free D.K. Drake Starter Library
Purchase one or all of the Dragon Stalker Bloodline Saga books on Amazon.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:
“I love The Author D.K. Drake Show!” If that sounds like something you’d say, please rate and review this show. Your rating and review helps the show get found by other authors with big writing dreams. It’ll take a quick 30 seconds to scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then share what you enjoyed most about this episode.
And if you haven’t already done so, follow the podcast. That way you’ll never miss an episode and will be better prepared to write and publish your novel. Follow now!

082 || Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 36 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel

It’s Fantasy Fiction Friday! Today I’m reading chapter 36 of The Dragon Collector for you.
I did not like writing this chapter. An innocent kid got hurt, and I couldn’t let my hero help him. As I wrote the middle part of this chapter, I imagined it from three points of view: my main guy Javan, the kid who got hurt, and the villain Micah who hurt the kid. At first I thought Micah was pure evil for doing what he did. Then I remembered who Micah is and why he felt compelled to do what he did. I thus tacked on the short scene at the end to give you a glimpse into his mind. 
Let’s go to Zandador!
Your friend,
DK
Next Steps:
**Register for the FREE Revolutionize Your Writing Masterclass.** The On-Demand Virtual Experience launches October 11! Master the art of organizing your story ideas in Notion to set yourself up for fiction writing success.
Escape into the Land of Zandador: Get your free D.K. Drake Starter Library
Purchase one or all of the Dragon Stalker Bloodline Saga books on Amazon.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:
“I love The Author D.K. Drake Show!” If that sounds like something you’d say, please rate and review this show. Your rating and review helps the show get found by other authors with big writing dreams. It’ll take a quick 30 seconds to scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then share what you enjoyed most about this episode.
And if you haven’t already done so, follow the podcast. That way you’ll never miss an episode and will be better prepared to write and publish your novel. Follow now!

081 || Why Being a #1 NY Times Bestselling Author is NOT My Goal

The idea of being a #1 NY Times bestselling author is not something I’m striving for. I’ve tried to make myself want to achieve that goal because I thought it was what I was supposed to want when I decided to be an author. I even did some research to figure out how one goes about reaching such a goal. 
The research didn’t change my mind. As a matter of fact, it made me want it less. 
Listen in to find out why being a NY Times Bestselling author, #1 or otherwise, is not my goal, and find out what goal I am chasing that does motivate me to write great fiction.
Your friend,
DK
Next Steps:
**Register for the FREE Revolutionize Your Writing Masterclass.** The On-Demand Virtual Experience launches October 11! Master the art of organizing your story ideas in Notion to set yourself up for fiction writing success.
Escape into the Land of Zandador: Get your free D.K. Drake Starter Library
Purchase one or all of the Dragon Stalker Bloodline Saga books on Amazon.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:
“I love The Author D.K. Drake Show!” If that sounds like something you’d say, please rate and review this show. Your rating and review helps the show get found by other authors with big writing dreams. It’ll take a quick 30 seconds to scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then share what you enjoyed most about this episode.
And if you haven’t already done so, follow the podcast. That way you’ll never miss an episode and will be better prepared to write and publish your novel. Follow now!

080 || Goodbye, Published Before College

Farewell, Published Before College. 
Hello, The Author DK Drake Show!
Listen in to find out why the name of the show is changing and how this fresh direction will help you reach your writing goals faster.
Your friend,
DK
Next Steps:
Sign up for the FREE Revolutionize Your Writing Masterclass. The FREE Virtual On-Demand Virtual Experience launches October 11!
Snag your freebie:
Super Simple Overview of the Publishing Process for Self-Published Authors
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
“I love The Author D.K. Drake Show!” If that sounds like something you’d say, please rate and review this show. Your rating and review helps the show get found by other authors with big writing dreams. It’ll take a quick 30 seconds to scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then share what you enjoyed most about this episode.
And if you haven’t already done so, follow the podcast. That way you’ll never miss an episode and will be better prepared to write and publish your novel. Follow now!

079 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 35 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel

Today’s Fantasy fiction Friday episode is coming to you on storytelling Saturday just to shake things up a bit.
In this chapter of The Dragon Collector, we see the first hint of romance for Javan, some backstory on the romance of his grandparents, and some foreshadowing about what’s to come in books two, three, and four.
Here’s a storytelling tip for you. Telling backstory with narrative tends to be boring. Making it part of a conversation is a much more interesting to share the same information without putting your readers to sleep. 
I thus orchestrated a conversation between Javan and his grandmother as she answers his question: Why does Ravier hate me? Through the answer, we get to know Ravier a bit better, and that helps us understand why he has such a grumpy attitude toward his grandson.
Enough explanation. Let’s go to Zandador!
Your friend,
DK
Next Steps:
Get Your Free DK Drake Starter Library here.
Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here.
See the Super Simple Overview of the Publishing Process for Self-Published Authors here.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
“I love DK and Published Before College.” If that sounds like something you’d say, please rate and review my show. Your rating and review helps the show get found by other authors with big writing dreams. It’ll take a quick 30 seconds to scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then share what you enjoyed most about this episode.
And if you haven’t already done so, follow the podcast. That way you’ll never miss an episode and will be better prepared to write and publish your novel. Follow now!

078 // How Fast Can You Write? And No, Texting Doesn’t Count

Ever heard the terms "WPH" or "Words Per Hour" but had no clue what they meant?
Then today's episode is for you. In it, you'll learn what this key writing metric is, six reasons why it's important, and how to calculate it.
Listen in!
Your friend,
DK
Next Steps:
Sign up for the FREE Revolutionize Your Writing Masterclass. The On-Demand Virtual Experience launches October 11!
Snag your freebie:
Super Simple Overview of the Publishing Process for Self-Published Authors
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
“I love DK and Published Before College.” If that sounds like something you’d say, please rate and review this show. Your rating and review helps the show get found by other authors with big writing dreams. It’ll take a quick 30 seconds to scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then share what you enjoyed most about this episode.
And if you haven’t already done so, follow the podcast. That way you’ll never miss an episode and will be better prepared to write and publish your novel. Follow now!