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Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Spotlight on Donita K. Paul and DragonFire

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Donita K. Paul is the author of DragonSpell, DragonQuest, DragonKnight, and DragonFire. She's written five novels, four novellas, and numerous short stories since 1999. Dragonspell won a finalist medal in the 2005 CBA Christy Awards. This best-selling, award-winning author claims she is just a grandma disguised as a fantasy writer. She writes in her studio apartment labeled "The Hobbit Hole." Visit her web site at www.dragonkeeper.us.

DRAGONFIRE
By Donita K. Paul
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SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

Actually, I had an inspiration for another story, and that didn't work out. So this one rose from the ashes of disaster. Everyone has matured. The fainting dragon has outgrown his timidity, Kale and Bardon are facing challenges and they are prepared to do that together. Circumstances put them in different arenas, and they must function as separate entities instead of the team they are comfortable with.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced the characters of Kale and Bardon? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

I think situations that we identify with in the fiction we read are common to all. Confusing signals from the people we love, lack of direction as we seek to solve everyday problems, low self-esteem, hopes that don’t pan out, people being unkind when, of course, we deserve better treatment. Your best protagonist is a bit of "Everyman" from the old morality plays.

3. What themes exist in DragonFire that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

I don't go into a story with themes I want to develop. I throw my characters into a situation and find out what they learn from the adversity. So you might say all the themes developed as the story progressed. Being flexible is certainly one that both Kale and Bardon had to deal with. Also persisting in the face of adversity. I hope the reader takes to heart that even when things don't go as planned, that obstacle need not end their personal journeys.

4. What were your favorite parts to write? Your most difficult?

I can't say there was a most difficult part. I toil over many passages, but none of them are insurmountable. I am very interested in the reader being able to identify with the motivation of the characters. My favorite parts are the humorous ones, and those just fall into place. Sometimes, I'm very serious about the next scene, but the characters are not. Those are fun.

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

DragonLight comes out next summer. It is the last in this series. The quest is a bit different and the adversary is more subtle. And I'm hoping it has a more comic turn. But, as I said before, I don't really have all these things nailed down before I begin, so we will just have to see what lessons and laughter are learned along the way.

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Thank you, Donita, for being in the spotlight. Readers, feel free to leave a comment for your chance to be entered in the drawing for a FREE, autographed book. This week, the contest is open only to residents in the US and Canada.

4 comments:

Cherie J said...

Great author spotlight. Sounds like a wonderful Fantasy series and I love Fantasy. Will have to check out the website link.

Donita K. Paul said...

I hope you enjoy the website. There are some short stories to enjoy on the Donita K. Paul site, and Librettowit's Library at dragonkeeper.us has "interesting" material. My favorite page is the fan gallery where readers send in pictures they have drawn.

tetewa said...

Sounds like my kind of read! tWarner419@aol.com

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

Time to get caught up on winners now that I'm back, so this week's winner is:

CHERIE!

Congratulations. I know you're going to love this book. I've emailed Donita with your information so expect your book soon.

New spotlight posted today. Check it out.