

The Adventurous Author | Finish Book, Writing Discipline, Creative Writing, Character Development, Christian Podcast
Bonnie Jean Schaefer | Author and Founder of the League of Adventurous Authors
There’s a book inside you. A message that won’t leave you alone.
But between fear, responsibility, doubt — and now the rise of AI — you keep starting… and stopping.
Welcome to The Adventurous Author Podcast.
I’m Bonnie Jean Schaefer — fantasy author D.K. Drake — and I’ve published four novels while working a full-time job. I didn’t quit my life to write. I built systems that made finishing possible inside it.
Now I help stuck Christian writers do the same.
This podcast is discipleship through storytelling.
We follow a simple framework:
Start with WHO.Anchor your identity in Christ so fear loses leverage — especially in an AI age where identity matters more than ever.
Live Your Story.Build sustainable 15-minute systems that fit your real life.
Win Your Race.Finish what God called you to start — and become the kind of person who keeps finishing.
Every season rotates through identity, systems, and storytelling mastery in a structured spiral of growth.
If you’ve been hiding, doubting, or wondering where you fit in this new creative world — you’re not alone.
Let’s adventurize your life and rise from stuck...together.
But between fear, responsibility, doubt — and now the rise of AI — you keep starting… and stopping.
Welcome to The Adventurous Author Podcast.
I’m Bonnie Jean Schaefer — fantasy author D.K. Drake — and I’ve published four novels while working a full-time job. I didn’t quit my life to write. I built systems that made finishing possible inside it.
Now I help stuck Christian writers do the same.
This podcast is discipleship through storytelling.
We follow a simple framework:
Start with WHO.Anchor your identity in Christ so fear loses leverage — especially in an AI age where identity matters more than ever.
Live Your Story.Build sustainable 15-minute systems that fit your real life.
Win Your Race.Finish what God called you to start — and become the kind of person who keeps finishing.
Every season rotates through identity, systems, and storytelling mastery in a structured spiral of growth.
If you’ve been hiding, doubting, or wondering where you fit in this new creative world — you’re not alone.
Let’s adventurize your life and rise from stuck...together.
Episodes
Mentioned books

5 snips
Jul 26, 2023 • 12min
068 // 3 Evidence-Based Reasons to Believe the Bible is True (Why Believe the Bible series, part 3)
In this enlightening discussion, Harry Schaefer, the father of the host and a compelling speaker, presents three compelling evidence-based reasons to believe in the Bible's truth. He delves into archaeological discoveries, including the Hittites and the Pilate Stone, which reinforce biblical narratives. The conversation emphasizes how historical evidence, such as the Nabonidus Chronicle, connects scripture with factual history. Listeners gain insight into how these findings challenge skepticism and validate the Bible's credibility.

Jul 25, 2023 • 17min
067 // These 2 Prophecies Prove the Bible is True (Why Believe the Bible series, part 2)
As a Christian author, have you ever wondered why you should believe the Bible? Or how you can know the Bible is true because you have proof as opposed to blind faith?
Welcome to the second episode of the three-day, five-episode Why Believe the Bible event hosted by my dad, Harry Schaefer.
In episode 66, we learned that one way to confirm the truth of any book, including the Bible, is to compare it to outside sources. We take what’s written, compare it to known facts, and see if it matches. If it lines up, it’s true. The Bible lines up with known facts, so it can be trusted as a source of truth.
And two, we can use predictive prophecy. Men inspired by God wrote amazingly accurate prophecies, and we looked at one such prophecy concerning Tyre.
In this episode, we’ll dig into prophecies made by both Isaiah and Jeremiah regarding Babylon and explore how these prophecies really came to pass and thus help prove the Bible is true.
I’m turning the microphone back over to my dad. Here’s Harry!
Your friend,
DK
Next Steps:
Listen to the entire series:
Ep 66: How Can You as a Christian Author Know the Bible is True?
Ep 67: These 2 Prophecies Prove the Bible is True
Ep 68: 3 Evidence-Based Reasons to Believe the Bible is True
Ep 69: 1 Unlikely Source Outside the Bible that Helps Prove the Bible is True
Ep 70: 2 Recent Discoveries that Verify the Bible is True
Connect: dk@authordkdrake.com
Questions about today's episode? Email me!
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 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!

Jul 25, 2023 • 23min
066 // How Can You as a Christian Author Know the Bible is True? (Why Believe the Bible series, part 1)
As Christian authors, you and I have the awesome privilege of writing fantastic stories told from a godly perspective. And what’s the basis of that perspective? The Bible.
The Bible should establish the foundation and framework for our lives and our stories. The Bible should be our ultimate source for absolute truth in the midst of a world that doesn’t want to believe such a thing as absolute truth exists.
But why should we believe the Bible? How do we know the Bible is true?
To answer those questions, I’ve brought on a special guest (my dad, Harry Schaefer!) to teach you and me why we can and should believe the Bible. This episode thus marks the start of a three-day, five episode Why believe the Bible? event.
This podcast series is by no means a comprehensive study of the topic as there are countless ways to defend our faith and the veracity of the Bible. This series is designed to teach you some practical, logical ways and reasons to believe the Bible is true.
Your friend,
DK
Next Steps:
Listen to the entire series:
Ep 66: How Can You as a Christian Author Know the Bible is True?
Ep 67: These 2 Prophecies Prove the Bible is True
Ep 68: 3 Evidence-Based Reasons to Believe the Bible is True
Ep 69: 1 Unlikely Source Outside the Bible that Helps Prove the Bible is True
Ep 70: 2 Recent Discoveries that Verify the Bible is True
Connect: dk@authordkdrake.com
Questions about today's episode? Email me!
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 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!

Jul 14, 2023 • 9min
065 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 31 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy
It's Fantasy Fiction Friday! Today I'll be reading chapter 31 of The Dragon Collector. Enjoy your trip to the Land of Zandador.
Your friend,
DK
Next Steps:
Snag your freebies:
D.K. Drake Starter Library
Super Simple Overview of the Publishing Process for Self-Published Authors
Buy the Books
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!

12 snips
Jul 11, 2023 • 9min
064 // 7 Tips for Writing a Fast First Draft (Write a Novella series, weeks 7-12)
Unleash your writing potential with strategies to craft a first draft in six weeks or less. Learn three crucial practices to streamline your process and avoid four common pitfalls. Discover the importance of warm-up routines and scheduled writing sessions to boost your output. Stay focused and productive as you transform your novella ideas into written words!

Jul 7, 2023 • 9min
063 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 30 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
It's Fantasy Fiction Friday! Today I'll be reading chapter 30 of The Dragon Collector. Enjoy your trip to the Land of Zandador.
Your friend,
DK
Next Steps:
Snag your freebies:
D.K. Drake Starter Library
Super Simple Overview of the Publishing Process for Self-Published Authors
Buy the Books
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!

Jun 30, 2023 • 11min
062 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 29 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Have you ever been slapped by a tree? I have. But it’s usually because someone in front of me on a hike in the woods moved a branch out of the way only to have it snap back and slap me.
So annoying when that happens.
That was the start of the inspiration for the action that happens in the chapter from The Dragon Collector that I’ll read for you today. I took that inspiration a few steps further when I developed the idea of crooked trees and tree tremors that Javan learns about in this part of the story.
This was a fun chapter to write. I hope it’s a fun one for you to listen to. Let’s get to the Land of Zandador!
Your friend,
DK
Next Steps:
Snag your freebies:
D.K. Drake Starter Library
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 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!

5 snips
Jun 28, 2023 • 8min
061 // Draft a Scene Outline to Demolish Writer’s Block (Write a Novella series, week 6)
Discover how transitioning from screenwriting to novel writing can unlock your creative potential. Learn practical tips for drafting scene outlines that help demolish writer's block. The process of using index cards to enhance storytelling and narrative flow is explored, making writing more manageable and fun. This episode emphasizes the importance of structure in crafting engaging manuscripts while retaining the action and pace. Get ready to transform your writing journey!

5 snips
Jun 23, 2023 • 6min
060 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Author DK Drake Reads Chapter 28 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Join a thrilling adventure in the mystical Land of Zandador, as a Dragon Stalker hunts his elusive prey. Discover imaginative new creatures like raxens and gorzelles, born from the author's creativity. Delve into themes of loyalty and survival, all wrapped up in a captivating fantasy narrative. It’s a journey that promises excitement and a touch of magic!

Jun 22, 2023 • 11min
059 // The 15 Steps of a Captivating Plot Outline (Write a Novella Series, week 5)
In a quest to enhance storytelling skills, the latest discussion unveils a 15-step outlining method inspired by 'Save the Cat! Writes a Novel.' The host shares personal insights on how this structure has streamlined their own writing process. Listeners are guided through key elements of the hero's journey, including the internal conflicts that spark transformative moments. The episode emphasizes the importance of a well-structured plot to keep readers engaged and offers practical tips for character development and narrative resolution.


