The Adventurous Author | Finish Book, Writing Discipline, Creative Writing, Character Development, Christian Podcast

Welcome to Day 13 of the 21 Days of Storytelling featuring The Dragon Collector, book one of the Dragon Stalker Bloodlines Saga. The story snippet of the day is chapter ten entitled Torix. And here’s your Insider Tip of the Day: Zandador used to be a bright and vibrant land. Then Omri came to power. Over the course of his centuries-long reign, he has zapped the life and passion from the people, earning his nickname the “Dark King.” His soldiers patrol every city to ensure compliance with things like his dress code (everyone is only allowed to wear brown clothes), his marriage laws and even travel from place to place. In this chapter, you don’t learn why Omri has instituted such rules (that comes much later in the series), but you do get to see the city of Torix through Javan’s eyes and get a hint of what life is like under the rule of the Dark King. You should also pay attention to things like energy balls and time traps as this is the foreshadowing technique in action. Remember, at the end of chapter nine, the Dawn Stalker Opny snacked on the okties Ravier and Javan had flown to Dawn Territory to observe the dragon. Now the two are stranded in the middle of a place where only dragons live. Tune in to find out what happens next. Apply here for a Personalized Writing Workshop with Author DK Drake. Get Your Free DK Drake Starter Library that includes a digital manuscript of The Dragon Collector through November 10 here. Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here. Join the Help! My Kid Wants to Write a Book Community here.

Welcome to Day 12 of the 21 Days of Storytelling featuring The Dragon Collector, book one of The Dragon Stalker Bloodlines Saga. The story snippet of the day is chapter nine entitled Stalking the Stalker. Today you get to meet a Dawn Stalker! Only this dragon isn't the friendly sort that are back on Earth with Kenton. Opny is 814 years old and lives free in Dawn Stalker territory in Southwest Zandador. He's selfish, vain and territorial. As Javan will soon learn, this particular dragon lashes out at anyone or anything who enters his territory. His biggest fear that no human knows is that he's terrified of mosquitoes. This big bad dragon actually faints when he sees or hears them flying around him! Another interesting fact is that he sulks and forgets to eat when he sees butterflies because he's jealous of their beautiful colors and their ability to fly. I told you he was vain! As far as what he likes to eat, lily pads and okties are at the top of his list. What's an okty, you ask? Listen in to find out. Apply now for a personalized writing workshop with Author DK Drake!

Welcome to Day 11 of the 21 Days of Storytelling featuring The Dragon Collector, book one of the Dragon Stalker Bloodlines Saga. The story snippet of the day is chapter eight entitled A Second First Impression. At the end of chapter 7, Javan was blasted with some sort of weapon that you’ll learn about here in chapter 8. What you don’t learn in this chapter is that the weapon is powered by Midnight Stalker scales, and Midnight Stalkers breathe lightning. That power can be harnessed through their scales and turned into a weapon that is similar to a taser. Tune in to find out the name of the weapon and how one feels after being shot with it. Get Your Free DK Drake Starter Library that includes a digital manuscript of The Dragon Collector through November 10 here. Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here. Join the Help! My Kid Wants to Write a Book Community here.

Welcome to Day 10 of the 21 Days of Storytelling featuring The Dragon Collector, book one of the Dragon Stalker Bloodlines Saga. The story snippet of the day is chapter seven entitled Ravier and Red Rain. In today’s Insider Tip, Author DK Drake shares how she came up with the idea for red rain that Javan encounters into today’s story snippet. Enjoy! Get Your Free DK Drake Starter Library that includes a digital manuscript of The Dragon Collector through November 10 here. Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here. Join the Help! My Kid Wants to Write a Book Community here:

Welcome to Day 9 of the 21 Days of Storytelling featuring The Dragon Collector, book one of the Dragon Stalker Bloodlines Saga. The story snippet of the day is chapter six entitled Through the Portal. In today’s Insider Tip, Author DK Drake shares why the people in the Land of Zandador have such long lifespans. Enjoy! Get your free DK Drake Starter Library that includes a digital manuscript of The Dragon Collector through November 10 here. Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here. Join the Help! My Kid Wants to Write a Book Community here:

Welcome to Day 8 of the 21 Days of Storytelling featuring The Dragon Collector, book one of the Dragon Stalker Bloodlines Saga. The story snippet of the day is chapter five entitled Through the Portal. In today’s Insider Tip, Author DK Drake shares the origin of the Dragon Dimension, and in the chapter from the story, you’ll hear how people on earth can access the Dragon Dimension, also known as the Great Rift. Get Your Free DK Drake Starter Library that includes a digital manuscript of The Dragon Collector through November 10 here. Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here. Join the Help! My Kid Wants to Write a Book Community here:

It’s day 7 of the 21 Days of Storytelling! Before I wrote my short story Cops, Robbers…and Dragons? that I share in episode two, I started an Internet research binge on dragons. I wanted to find out how other authors described their dragons so I could make my dragons cool and believable. I didn’t get too far into my binge, though. I stopped myself when I had this crazy realization: I was writing a fantasy story about dragons. Fantasy. Dragons. That meant I could make up my own world with my own rules and my own version of dragons. Since my intention was simply to write a short story, I decided to keep my mythical creatures simple. I would only have four types of dragons, and their scales would change colors indicating when they were hungry. They would stalk for food when it was time for them to eat, and they would only eat once a day. That one time would vary depending on they time of day they ate: dawn, dusk, noon and midnight. And that is why my dragons are called Dragon Stalkers. Then I had so much fun writing that short story that I decided to write a whole book series from that one concept. And that is why I started The Dragon Stalker Bloodlines Saga. The Dragon Collector is book one of that saga, and your very own author DK Drake will be reading chapter 4. In this chapter, you’ll be introduced to all four types of Dragon Stalkers. We join Javan as he as left the ranch he grew up on and is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Get Your Free DK Drake Starter Library that includes a digital manuscript of The Dragon Collector through November 10: https://authordkdrake.com/insiders Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FK5V1HJ Join the Help! My Kid Wants to Write a Book Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authordkdrakeinsiders

What if you came face to face with a dragon? Here on Day 6 of the 21 Days of Storytelling, Javan from The Dragon Collector experiences that very scenario. The story snippet of the day is chapter three entitled Lightning and Smoke and shows what happens when an ordinary teenager comes face to face with dragons that are visiting Earth from a different dimension. As the Insider Tip of the Day, author DK Drake shares some behind the scenes facts about one of the dragons named Silverspike that you can’t read in the book. Ignite your imagination because you’ve got some dragons to meet! Get Your Free DK Drake Starter Library that includes a digital manuscript of The Dragon Collector through November 10: https://authordkdrake.com/insiders Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FK5V1HJ Join the Help! My Kid Wants to Write a Book Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authordkdrakeinsiders

Welcome to Day 5 of the 21 Days of Storytelling featuring The Dragon Collector, book one of the Dragon Stalker Bloodlines Saga. The story snippet of the day is chapter two entitled The Unexpected Guests. Today’s episode also includes two bonus scenes you can’t read in the book. So listen in to find out what happens when an orphan meets the mother whom he thought abandoned him at birth. Get Your Free DK Drake Starter Library that includes a digital manuscript of The Dragon Collector through November 10: https://authordkdrake.com/insiders Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FK5V1HJ Join the Help! My Kid Wants to Write a Book Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authordkdrakeinsiders

We’re back with Day 4 of the 21 Days of Storytelling featuring The Dragon Collector, book one of the Dragon Stalker Bloodlines Saga. The story snippet of the day is chapter one, which takes place six weeks after the end of last part of the prologue. The Insider Tip of the Day explains why author DK Drake introduced the main character with this football scene rather than a more action-packed, grab-your-attention kind of scene. Tune in now to gain that behind the scenes knowledge and to hear the author read chapter one. Get Your Free DK Drake Starter Library that includes a digital manuscript of The Dragon Collector through November 10: https://authordkdrake.com/insiders Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FK5V1HJ Join the Help! My Kid Wants to Write a Book Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authordkdrakeinsiders

The storytelling blitz continues with Day 3 of the 21 Days of Storytelling featuring The Dragon Collector, book one of the Dragon Stalker Bloodlines Saga. The story snippet of the day is part III of the Prologue. Part III takes place fifteen years after Part I and eight years after Part II. It’s also told from the perspective of the hero Javan’s mother rather than Javan himself. The Insider Tip of the Day explains why the author chose the mother’s perspective and why this part of the prologue sets the tone for the main story that is about to unfold in chapter one. Tune in now to gain that behind the scenes knowledge and to hear the author read part III of the Prologue. Get Your Free DK Drake Starter Library that includes a digital manuscript of The Dragon Collector through November 10: https://authordkdrake.com/insiders Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FK5V1HJ Join the Help! My Kid Wants to Write a Book Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authordkdrakeinsiders

And we’re back for Day 2 of the 21 Days of Storytelling featuring The Dragon Collector, book one of the Dragon Stalker Bloodlines Saga. The story snippet of the day is part II of the Prologue, and this scene takes place seven years after part I. Why is the prologue divided into parts? Author DK Drake answers that very question as the Insider Tip of the Day. Tune in now to gain that behind the scenes knowledge and to hear the author read part II of the Prologue. Your friend, DK 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!

Ah! It’s here! The 21 Days of Storytelling! This is day one, and today you’ll get to hear Author DK Drake read part I of the prologue of The Dragon Collector, book one of the Dragon Stalker Bloodlines Saga. In The Dragon Collector, fifteen-year-old Javan believes he is simply an ordinary orphan abandoned by his mother at birth--until he is whisked away to another dimension and his destiny as the chosen one from the Collector Bloodline is revealed. Armed only with an ancient weapon, a trio of old advisors, and his determination to win, Javan is soon caught up in a dangerous Battle for the Throne. Now his choices could save--or destroy--the people and dragons of Zandador, including the mother he just met. So sit back, relax, and enjoy. You are now entering the Land of Zandador... Get Your Free DK Drake Starter Library here: https://authordkdrake.com/ Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FK5V1HJ

What does it take to be a great storyteller? A stunning grasp of the English language? An understanding of story structure and plot pacing? A wild imagination? Yes. Yes. And yes. All of those are helpful and important, but we won’t be talking about any of those things today. What we will discuss are three mission critical things you need to know on your quest to become an author of captivating stories. These things aren’t tactical writing skills. They’re not things you will learn or be tested on in school. But they do require relationship building. Compassion. Curiosity. I hope you’re curious because it’s time to explore three things every Christian author needs to know to be a great storyteller. Get Your Free DK Drake Starter Library here: https://authordkdrake.com/ Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FK5V1HJ Join the Help! My Kid Wants to Write a Book Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authordkdrakeinsiders

Straddle the line. Middle of the road. One foot in and one foot out. Maybe. Uncertain. Wobbly. Wishy washy. Do any of these words fill you with confidence? Do any of them describe the people you most admire, respect and follow? Probably not. More than likely you describe your heroes with words like bold. Decisive. Determined. Committed. All in. Wholehearted. Passionate. We don’t follow people we don’t trust, and we can’t trust someone who lacks conviction. The greatest leaders and the greatest writers stand for something. They also stand against things they don’t agree with. So if you want people to follow you and the stories you write and the characters you create, you need to not only know but also publicly declare your vision, mission, and purpose for writing. And you do that by writing your own personal author manifesto. What is a manifesto? How do you write it? Want to hear mine? Then tune in to today’s episode. By the end, I hope you will either love me or hate me. If you’re on the fence, I haven’t made my stance about who I am and what I stand both for and against clear enough. Let’s dive in. Get Your Free DK Drake Starter Library here: https://authordkdrake.com/ Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FK5V1HJ Join the Help! My Kid Wants to Write a Book Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authordkdrakeinsiders

Regardless of your story's genre, format or length, every story has the same basic structure. So before you write a word, create a character, consider your setting, or outline your plot, you must under the structure. I didn't understand it when I wrote my first novel right out of college, and that first draft was a disaster. The second and third drafts were pretty bad as well, and the fourth draft was halfway decent. Then I learned how to build a story the right way, and the three fantasy novels I've written since are much better than that first novel as a result of understanding story structure. Most teachers and writers explain this structure using story examples from popular novels or movies. That's helpful and fun and interesting, but I like to be different. I also like to run. And a few weeks ago while running a seven mile race around a lake, I realized how much a race is similar to the three step story structure. So in today's episode, I'm going to use the example of a seven mile race to explain the simple three act structure every story needs. Get Your Free DK Drake Starter Library here: https://authordkdrake.com/ Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FK5V1HJ Join the Help! My Kid Wants to Write a Book Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authordkdrakeinsiders

Once upon a time, I never bothered with creative writing prompts. I didn’t see the point. Why use someone else’s story idea to prompt my own writing when I have plenty story ideas of my own? Then one friend relentlessly prompted me to write a story about dragons. Another countered his attacks by prompting me to write a story about cops. In an effort to get them to leave me alone and let me choose the topics of my own stories, I did what I had never done before: I used their prompts to write one short story I entitled “Cops, Robbers…and Dragons?” Tune in to hear the story and decide for yourself if creative writing prompts are useless. Get Your Free DK Drake Starter Library here: https://authordkdrake.com/ Snag one or all of the Dragon Stalker books here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FK5V1HJ Join the Help! My Kid Wants to Write a Book Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authordkdrakeinsiders

Greetings, my fiction-loving friend! Welcome to the wonderful world of novel-writing. I’m so pumped that you are joining me for this journey, and I can’t wait to get to know you and your characters and your stories. You’re probably wondering who I am, so let me introduce myself by saying that I, author DK Drake, do not exist. You read that right. DK Drake doesn’t exist. I made her up, just like I make up the characters in my books. In other words, DK Drake is my pen name. Why did I choose to write under this pen name? What do the D and the K stand for? What’s my true identity? More importantly, should you use a pen name when you publish your book? I can’t answer that last question for you, but I can give you three good reasons to absolutely NOT use a pen name and share why I did anyway so you can make an informed decision about the right choice for you. 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!

The Rescue Mission For Christian Writers Who Are Ready to Finish There’s a book inside you. A message that won’t leave you alone. But between fear, responsibility, doubt, and distraction, you keep starting… and stopping. The Adventurous Author Podcast exists to change that. Hosted by Bonnie Jean Schaefer (fantasy author D.K. Drake), this show helps Christian writers anchor their identity in Christ, build sustainable writing systems, and finish the books God has called them to write — even while working full-time and managing real life. Bonnie has published four fantasy novels while working a full-time job and is also the author of the Anchored Faith nonfiction series — books devoted to biblical identity, trust, and faithful obedience. She is currently developing the Anchored Truth series focused on discernment and intellectual integrity in a shifting cultural landscape. This podcast integrates theology and execution and adventure (because play is vital). Not abstract belief. Applied obedience. This is structured discipleship through storytelling. What You’ll Learn Each season (8-9 episodes) rotates through three foundational pillars: 1. Christ-Anchored Identity Discover who God made you to be as a writer. Replace fear with clarity. Stop writing from buried confidence and start writing from secure identity. 2. Sustainable Writing Systems Build simple, 15-minute rhythms that fit your real life. No 5 a.m. wake-ups if that's not your thing). No quitting your job. Just structured consistency that compounds. 3. Storytelling Mastery Strengthen character development, story structure, and theme so you can write books that resonate deeply and advance God’s Kingdom. Transformation here is not a straight line. It’s a spiral — deeper identity, stronger systems, sharper skill. Books by Bonnie Jean 📚 Fiction (as D.K. Drake) Fantasy novels crafted to explore courage, sacrifice, and redemptive themes through immersive storytelling. → Escape into the Land of Zandador 📘 Nonfiction (Anchored Faith Series) Biblically grounded books on identity, obedience, and finishing faithfully. → Explore the Anchored Faith Series 📖 Coming Soon: Anchored Truth A series focused on discernment, truth evaluation, and intellectual integrity in an AI age. Who This Podcast Is For Christian writers in the messy middle Aspiring authors who keep starting but never finishing Full-time professionals who want to write without quitting their jobs Writers wrestling with fear of failure — or fear of success Authors who want to honor God through storytelling If you’re tired of calling yourself “aspiring,” you’re in the right place. The Adventurize Life Philosophy Start with WHO. Live your story. Win your race. Anchor your identity. Install your systems. Finish what you start. And turn life into a grand adventure through it all. Ready to Go Deeper? The League of Adventurous Authors is the companion training ground where stuck Christian writers become Christ-anchored, system-trained, faithful finishers — starting with 15 minutes a day. → Learn About the League Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts: “I love The Adventurous Author 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 Adventurize your life. Follow now!