Escape the Mundane ~ Explore the Magical With Roulf Burrell's Debut Novel

Escaping Perilous Times

Many authors have a tagline. Mine says, “Escape the Mundane. Explore the Magical.” And people who read often do so to avoid their daily routine. They may crave an adventure, a mystery to solve, or a romance to enjoy. While nothing replaces traveling adventures or romances, a book is far cheaper than actual travel. It’s also less dangerous than real adventure or illicit romances, especially during turbulent seasons.

Successful fiction writers in all genres keep this in mind as they write. Many don’t realize the need to escape escalates during hard times. Or that this provides a golden opportunity for authors of all styles -- none more so than fantasy. You can’t escape much further than that.

In 1937, J. R. R. Tolkien released the Hobbit. Remember, the world’s markets had crashed and depressions were ongoing. Political tensions were mounting in Europe, a residual from the 1st World War, extreme reparations payments thrust on Germany, and depressed economies world-wide. So why not write about a mountain hall filled with gold, gold a Dragon had taken away from a bunch of greedy dwarves who wouldn't split it? Now the dwarves take it back, but have they learned to share? Five armies converge to battle it out. You wonder if Tolkien was prescient regarding the near future. Or did he just know his history, while understanding cause and effect?

And in 1938, C. S. Lewis released "Out of the Silent Planet." He finished the next two books of the Space Trilogy during World War II. Imagine taking one of those German V-2 rockets to Mars (which he calls Malacandra) or Venus, as in his second book, Perelandra. Here the garden paradise still exists, awaiting the inhabitants' choice; follow the creator's rules or rebel, as Earth had.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was published in 1950. Remember, World War II had consumed 1/4 of England’s entire national wealth and English society hadn’t recovered as fast as America. In 1948, England was being forced to ration bread to its citizens, much less luxury items! Who wouldn’t want a closet escape into a magic land full of Turkish delight? But Lewis's character, Edmund, reminds us easy gratification isn't always best.

During tough times, our need is not just escape - we need hope for better things. If the J. R. R. Tolkien’s hobbit, Bilbo, can broker peace between dwarves and elves, and Aslan can overthrow the evil queen and redeem Edmund, then we can survive Covid or global warming, or the disaster de jour on the front page of the paper. When two hurting people find love, don't we all find hope?

Current issues are always emotionally loaded and disputed—that will never change. Stories allow people to bypass the powder keg to see how others solve their problems. For a few hours, our greatest challenge (or fear) is a dragon, instead of a virus. And you can shoot arrows at dragons—without a government permit or starting a nasty debate! (Of course the miffed lizard may roast you if you miss.)

In my own Dragon Mist world, Banshees have broken the bell while fussing and feuding with their lone male. So castle leadership decides that male has to replace the bell until it's fixed. Not a treat for anyone's ears. (But within this patchwork solution, can we find opportunities?)

The castle’s cooling system (frost giants and their icy breath) won’t allow the castle's heating system (fire sprites tossing fireballs) to move into the basement cave. A scheming leprechaun wants a new costume to disguise the fact he has acquired no gold for his rainbow pot. A fussy fairy queen commands her cannons to shoot exploding acorns at the gremlins, who copy and mock her every turn. (Detect any parallels regarding these dilemmas with today’s news?)

Those nasty Gremlins have also shut down the carpenter’s shop, so the woodwright can’t work. The blacksmith, a half-ogress named Draleen, has a fine workshop—gremlins aren’t crazy enough to tackle an ogre—so she can work all day. But she won’t. Not until the castle leaders find her a suitable man to marry. She’s certainly not fixing any bell, thank you!

So when a local village boy finds he’s an orphan, and the sheriff intends to collect him to sell to the next caravan to pay family debts, it just seems to be more trouble. Can Dragon Mist's dilemmas offer some hidden chance for the lad? This is a story about friendships, hope, and how we may hold part of an answer our neighbors need.

Can the trouble we see today offer authors the opportunity to reach out and help those around us? When the world comes apart, people often will stop and listen. They relish stepping out of their troubled life and into a favorite story, trading out their own shoes for our hero’s, if only for a couple of hours.

Now it's our job to take them some place worth going. As writers, we offer them the relief of escape. But like Lewis and Tolkien, we can do more. We can give the other fellow a chance to see old truths in a fresh way. And if they catch that, we all find a little hope.

Leave a comment below and L.A. will randomly choose a winner for an e-copy of Riddley Bundleforth & the Banshee Bell!

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Check out Roulf Burrell’s debut novel at Amazon!

  Website~Facebook~Amazon Author Page

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Take Five with Debut Author Dena Netherton

 

I've got to tell you there is really little for a writer that is as exciting as publishing your first book.  Please welcome debut author Dena Netherton. 

She is as charming as she is an excellent writer. 

Welcome to An Indie Adventure, Dena.  Tell us, what inspired you to write your book, Haven’s Flight?

When I was twelve years old, this image of a young woman standing in a field of snow, surrounded by dark forest popped into my mind. She was looking over her shoulder nervously as if she were being pursued. The image was so compelling that it stayed in my mind for days, and finally, I sketched it on a sheet of paper. I kept the sketch in my desk drawer and every time I saw it I’d ask myself, “What is going on with this girl? What is she frightened of?” Over a period of weeks, a story started to unfold and develop. But I didn’t even try to write it down because I knew I wouldn’t do it justice until I learned how to be a writer. Forty years later, the girl in my sketch has found her name— Haven—and readers are about to find out who she’s running from.

Have you been a lifelong reader of suspense?  What are some the first books you remember reading?

I found my love of reading as a little kid when I discovered books like “Lad, A Dog” by Terhune, and the “Flicka” books about horses. In my teens, I loved Fantasy novels, such as Tolkien’s “the Lord of the Rings” trilogy and C.S. Lewis’s “Chronicles of Narnia.” I went through a dark phase in high school where I read everything I could get at the library (remember libraries?) about the last two world wars. Actually, I think reading about the horrors of war made me wonder what I would do if someone threatened my life. Which led to my fascination with how people survive and cope in times of great personal danger. I love Stephen King’s writing. His stories are way creepier than mine, but reading his books have helped me develop the ‘creep factor’ in my own bad characters.

What do you do to rev your creative juices?

When I’m stuck, I go for a drive and play classical music. Nothing makes the ideas flow faster.

To you what makes a great romance hero or heroine?

They’ve got to be complicated. When I read a good book, I want to love the hero or heroine in spite of their flaws. Sometimes, I even want to enjoy their flaws. When they do something stupid, I want to yell at them, “Don’t do that! Can’t you see what going to happen if you do?” But that makes me cheer them on when they finally make the right choices.

You’re having a dinner party.  What character from your novel do you hope doesn’t show up? Why?

I would certainly hope you don’t invite Judge Bartholomew Boone. Knowing how he treats his wife and little boy when no one’s looking—well, I don’t think I could be polite to him.

Give us a brief summary of Haven’s Flight:

Haven Ellingsen enrolled in Life Ventures Therapy Camp in the Cascade Mountains to help her heal from horrible memories of her mother’s violent death at the hands of an armed robber. But now, a greater fear dogs her steps. In the mountains, the rustle of leaves or the snap of a twig could be nothing. Or it might signal the presence of the man who won’t stop following her.

Buy:

Amazon

Write Integrity Press

Bio: Dena Netherton grew up in the San Francisco bay area, studied music in the Midwest, and eventually settled with her husband and three fantastic children in Colorado. After being a musician, singer, music theater director, and teacher for over three decades, Dena is now living another kind of dream as a writer of Christian Suspense and Romance. 

Find Dena:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Take Five and Meet Debut Romance Author J.L. Regen

  

Meet J.L. Regen and her debut Contemporary Romance.

Welcome to An Indie Adventure, J.L.  Tell us, what inspired you to write your book Secret Desires?

Thanks for having me L.A., Secret Desires was written to inspire people to take a second chance on love.

Have you been a lifelong reader of Contemporary Romance?  What are some the first books you remember reading?

Every book has romance but as a young reader, I adored Tolstoy and Gone with the Wind.

What do you do to rev your creative juices?

I do yoga and hug my husband.

To you what makes a great romance hero or heroine?

A man with empathy and passion in his soul.

You’re having a dinner party.  What character from your novel do you hope doesn’t show up? Why?

The annoying guy who bothered Margo. He’s only into self-gratification.

Blurb:

Secret Desires is a love story with Edward and Margo meeting and falling in love and the obstacles they face to joining as a couple with a happy byproduct of her becoming a foster mother at 23.

Buy Links: 

 B&N | Amazon

Bio:

Joan has three published nonfiction books, several short stories on mystery genre, and is a freelance reporter/photographer. Her next series will be intrigue in fragrance industry.

Find J.L.:

Facebook | Website | Amazon Author Page

Take Five With Author Karen Van Den Heuvel & Her DEBUT novel.

It's always an exciting time to see your first book in print.  

Please welcome Karen Van Den Heuvel and her debut book!

Welcome to An Indie Adventure, Karen.  Tell us, what inspired you to write your book Hidden Bloodlines?

Hi, L.A., thanks for having me on your blog for my launch week. Talk about an exciting time.

The inspiration for Hidden Bloodlines originated from two sources. The first was a weekend stay my husband and I took at the historic Stanley Hotel, registered as the second most haunted hotel in the country. It was a unique experience which started when we checked in and had the pleasure of speaking with a group of “ghost busters,” replete with electronic devices they planned on using to detect ghosts. The second was my daughter’s first romance. The young man’s mother wanted only one thing for her son — to become a priest, and I asked, “What if…”.

What were your experiences as a child or adult that contributed to you becoming a writer?

I have always had a passion for writing and reading stories. As a very late bloomer (in 9th grade I was only 4’9”, weighed 60 pounds, and looked like a 7 year old), I was severely introverted. I spent my time either reading mysteries or playing basketball with my male cousins and their friends. I learned perseverance at a young age.

What is most difficult for you to write?  Characters, conflict or emotions?  Why?

I am a plot driven writer which means I need to work extra hard creating emotional characters.

What is the first thing you do when you begin a new book?

When I begin a new book, I research. My research includes visiting either the real place in the story or the place that inspired the fictitious setting. Even though I am writing fiction, it’s very important to get the facts straight to make it “real.” I confess to being more of a “seat of the pants” type of writer so I don’t make a true outline, but I do create the GMC (goals, motivation,conflict) for both the hero and heroine. Often I don’t know what a character is going to do until it “happens.”

If you were a TV, film or book character, apart from one you've created, who would you be?  And why?

I would be Dr. Elizabeth McCord because her life is professionally exciting, she has an interesting family and a happily ever after relationship with her husband.

Give us a brief summary of Hidden Bloodlines :

Gutsy Colorado attorney Victoria Bailey has just successfully prosecuted a serial killer…or has she? Betrayed by her college sweetheart, she’s vowed to remain single and dependent on no one but herself. All goes according to plan until her best friend’s wedding rehearsal. A missing groom, a murdered trial assistant, and an unexpected encounter with two men from her past bring her well-controlled life crashing down.

Highly decorated, retired Navy SEAL Christian Van der Kruis has seen much death and is ready to experience a new life. Now part of a global special ops organization, he attends a wedding, never expecting to be brought face-to-face with death and the only woman he ever loved … Victoria.

Buy Links: 

Wild Rose Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

  

Bio:

Karen Van Den Heuvel’s diverse experiences as an attorney, certified civil mediator, registered dietitian, teacher, speaker, and published author with more than 20 years experience in the corporate, government, and private sectors have fueled her desire to help people live fuller, richer lives. She has two grown children and lives with her husband in Colorado.

Find Karen: 

Website | Email | Twitter | Facebook