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

In today’s episode, you’ll hear me share my ideas for a Christmas play I am writing for my children’s church kids to perform on December 10. Normally, I don’t like like to share my ideas with others until I’ve organized my thoughts and have a clear direction for my story.  The League of Adventurous Authors has changed that. In addition to weekly check-ins to share wins and goals, AI art play days, and Q&A days, we also have Author Spotlight sessions. During these spotlight sessions, one author reads a snippet of a story he’s written, and the members have a chance to provide feedback. In the Spotlight Session you’ll hear today, I am the author sharing a story idea, and then you’ll hear the feedback discussion that followed, feedback that helped me gain clarity about my story so that I was able to write a better draft of the script after this meeting.  If you’re interested in becoming a member of the League of Adventurous Authors, mark your calendars for December 27 when membership reopens. For now, listen in as I share my story ideas, how I used AI to help me write a bad first draft of the play I’m writing, and what feedback the League authors shared. Let’s get to it! Your friend, DK Next Steps: Experience 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!

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!

With just two months left in the year, there's still time to launch new writing projects or wrap up ongoing ones. Learn how to navigate year-end writing goals amidst holiday distractions. The discussion highlights the importance of setting specific targets and taking actionable steps to stay on track. Plus, get inspired by practical tips that encourage you to finish 2023 strong. Ready to make your writing dreams a reality? Let's dive in!

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!

In this gripping chapter, Javan confronts a harrowing reality as he trudges through a massive crowd, heading towards his mother’s public execution. The atmosphere is thick with tension and desperation, amplifying his inner turmoil. As he approaches the scene, the weight of his emotions and the impending tragedy set the stage for pivotal changes in his journey. It’s a dark and intense moment that deepens the narrative, pulling listeners into a landscape of despair and bravery.

Discover the biggest mistake many authors make that leads to chaos and wasted time. Learn two effective solutions to tidy up your writing process and bring order to your creative flow. The discussion highlights tools like Scrivener and Notion to enhance project management. Gain clarity in organizing your story ideas, paving the way for successful fiction writing. Don’t let disorganization hold you back; unleash your creativity with these essential tips.

In a captivating chapter, the narrative shifts between Javan, a young boy in distress, and Micah, the adversary responsible for his suffering. The exploration of morality is rich, revealing Micah's motivations and the weight of his choices. Javan's internal struggle highlights the balance between compassion and duty, as he grapples with his heritage and responsibilities. This layered storytelling invites listeners into a fantastical realm, filled with dragons, where heroes face not only external battles but also profound moral dilemmas.

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!

A major transformation is underway! The host discusses a shift from supporting teen authors to embracing a broader community of college-aged and young adult writers. Exciting new workshops are promised, designed to empower 100 authors on their creative journeys. Listeners can look forward to fresh approaches and a more vibrant writing community to chase their dreams together. A free masterclass is also on the horizon, offering valuable insights into the writing process!

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!