

The Adventurous Author | How to Write a Book, Character Development, Write with Consistency, Creative Writing,Story Structure
Bonnie Jean Schaefer | Author & Coach, Founder of the League of Adventurous Authors
Hey, Time-Strapped Author!Wanna write great fiction?BUT writing is hard because you…- Have NO TIME because you work a full-time job or go to school full-time- Doubt your writing ability- Are unsure how to write the kind of captivating stories you love to read.Then welcome to The Adventurous Author, the podcast for underdog authors on a mission to achieve legendary feats in the publishing world but have to overcome impossible obstacles, limited time, and paralyzing inner skepticism along the way.Through these episodes, you will…- Gain confidence in your author identity.- Master the process and structure needed to write captivating stories EVEN WITH limited writing time.- Learn to use AI effectively and ethically to constantly improve your writing skills and story quality.I’m your host Bonnie Jean Schaefer. Under my pen name of fantasy author D.K. Drake, I write action-packed, wholesome adventures without the snooze-worthy fluff. But as your personal writing coach, I’m here to unlock YOUR narrative prowess, guide you in crafting spellbinding tales, and navigate the wild world of writing with AI.Adventure awaits, so ignite your imagination, latch on to that dragon swooping overhead, and let the storytelling quest begin. It’s time to play in our own fabulous fantasy worlds.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 12, 2025 • 4min
Why a Daily Writing Habit is the Key to Becoming a Professional Author | 104
Ever feel stuck waiting for inspiration? Think you need more time, validation, or motivation before you can truly call yourself a writer? Think again.
In this episode, we uncover:
✔️ Why writing daily—not waiting—is the key to becoming a pro.
✔️ The science behind action and how it rewires your brain.
✔️ A simple challenge to break through hesitation and build unstoppable momentum.
Stop dreaming. Start writing. The transformation happens when you show up.
🔥 Adventurous Enough for a 101-Day Mega Challenge?
START TODAY. No cost. Except relentless commitment.
Because the difference between ‘wanting to write’ and ‘being a writer’ is simple… you write.
📢 Subscribe & Review:
If this episode gave you a wake-up call, share it with a fellow writer and drop a review! Your feedback keeps this show alive and thriving.

4 snips
Mar 11, 2025 • 7min
The Writer’s Battle: Outlast Resistance and Win the Creative War | 103
Explore the battle against Resistance that every writer faces. Discover why waiting for the 'right moment' to write is the biggest mistake and learn how to transform writing into a daily habit. Uncover effective strategies like 'habit stacking' that integrate writing seamlessly into your routine. Plus, a seven-day challenge awaits you to ignite your creativity and track your progress. By embracing these tactics, you'll shift from merely wanting to write to becoming a dedicated writer who expresses effortlessly.

Mar 10, 2025 • 4min
Eat Before You’re Hungry—Write Before You’re Ready | 102
Want to be a writer? Then stop waiting to feel like one. In today’s episode, we break down why writing daily—before it feels important or justified—is the key to transforming from “I want to be a writer” to “I am a writer.” Through the story of a soldier in combat, we explore why discipline beats inspiration every time.
🚀 What You’ll Learn:
✅ Why showing up daily makes you a real writer
✅ How discipline fuels creativity (not the other way around)
✅ The shift from waiting for inspiration to writing on command
🔥 Challenge for Today:
Write one sentence. Not because you feel ready. But because writers write.
📢 Subscribe & Review:
If today’s episode hit home, share it with a fellow writer and leave a review! Your support helps us keep bringing you high-impact episodes.
Are you adventurous enough to take on a grand challenge?
Your mission: Pick one daily action. Do it for 101 days. Then watch yourself become the person you were meant to be.
💥 Hit play to join me.
💥 Subscribe so you never miss a reason to write every day.
💥 Join the League of Adventurous Authors for free as an Insider and receive an exclusive Day 101 celebration.
START TODAY. No cost. Except relentless commitment.
🎧 Until next time—keep writing, keep showing up, and prove to yourself who you really are.

Mar 9, 2025 • 3min
The Time Trap: Why You’re Not Writing (And How to Break Free) | 101
You say you don’t have time to write, but is that really the truth? Or is something deeper at play? In today’s bite-sized episode, we’re cutting through the jungle of excuses and exposing the real reason you’re stuck. If you’ve been waiting for more time, this episode will shake you up and show you why you don’t need more hours—you need a better mindset.
🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ Why “I don’t have time” is a trap, not a truth
✔️ The hidden fears lurking behind this excuse (and how to break free)
✔️ What the Bible says about time and why you must take control
✔️ A simple challenge to reclaim 15 minutes today for your writing
Are you adventurous enough to take on a grand challenge?
Your mission: Pick one daily action. Do it for 101 days. Then watch yourself become the person you were meant to be.
💥 Hit play to join me.
💥 Subscribe so you never miss a reason to write every day.
💥 Join the League of Adventurous Authors for free as an Insider and receive an exclusive Day 101 celebration.
START TODAY. No cost. Except relentless commitment.

Mar 8, 2025 • 9min
Writing, Running, and Resilience: The Challenge That Changes Everything | 100
You’re stuck. Writing but not finishing. Creating but not sharing. Dreaming but not executing.
I’ve been there too—until I realized the problem wasn’t my schedule, my skill, or my ambition. The problem was ME.
That’s why I’m launching the 101-Day Triple Crown Challenge—writing, running, and publishing daily, no excuses, no escape. Because freedom isn’t limitless choice—it’s the discipline to commit so tightly that success becomes inevitable.
🔥 You want discipline? Stop giving yourself a way out.
🔥 You want focus? Rip out distractions by the root.
🔥 You want change? Lock yourself in and throw away the key.
Your mission: Pick one daily action. Do it for 101 days. Then watch yourself become the person you were meant to be.
💥 Hit play to join me.
💥 Subscribe so you never miss a reason to write every day.
💥 Join the League of Adventurous Authors for free as an Insider and receive an exclusive Day 101 celebration.
The challenge officially starts on March 9, 2025. Sign up today so you never miss an episode of excuse-busting, power-packed motivation.

Oct 9, 2024 • 23min
Publish Your Poems! with Poet Barbara Sweeney — 99
Whether you are 8 or 80, it’s never too early or too late to become a published author. Today’s guest proves that. I am chatting with Barbara Sweeney, who just happens to be my aunt. For her 80th birthday last year, I offered to compile her poems into a book and publish them for her. It took us almost a year of working together through emails and phone calls to collect the poems she wanted to share, format them, proofread them, create a cover, and finally hit that publish button. And we did so before she turned 81.
I’ve written some of my own poems, but I found that Aunt Barbara really is a master of the craft. I enjoyed getting to know this side of my aunt, reading her poems, and now sharing with you the opportunity to experience the comfort, companionship, and wonder these poems afford.
I encourage you to head over to Amazon to snag your own copy of Echoes of Grace today. Now listen in as Barbara Sweeney and I talk poetry!
Your friend,
D.K.
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 Adventurous Author!” 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!

Oct 9, 2024 • 5min
Embrace Your Adventurous Author Identity — 98
Did you know that your novel writing success depends on what you believe about YOU?
I believe you can master novel writing even if you have no experience, no credentials, and less than three hours a week to write. The secret lies in embracing your adventurous author identity.
That’s what I’ve been doing over this last year and why I’ve changed the name of this podcast to The Adventurous Author. I’ve decided that I get to adventurize novel writing, which allows me to enjoy the process even though the limited time I have to write makes progress slower than I would prefer. When I enjoy the process, I’m motivated to take writing action every day, even if it’s only for 15 minutes at a time.
I want you to feel motivated to write consistently, and it stars with your foundational beliefs. Need help believing? Then listen in and adopt The Adventurous Author Creed as Your own.
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 Adventurous Author!” 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!

5 snips
Mar 22, 2024 • 11min
97 | Fantasy Fiction: Chapter 43 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Join Javan on a thrilling dragon-collecting adventure in the magical land of Zandador! He faces self-doubt while preparing for a mission with his teammate, Gasha. A hilarious twist occurs when he gets trapped in a sticky bush while trying to impress King Omri with his prized dragon. Experience the excitement and chaos of overcoming fears, teamwork, and the unexpected challenges of fantasy life!

Mar 8, 2024 • 8min
096 || Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 42 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy
Enjoy Chapter 42 of The Dragon Collector!
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!

Mar 1, 2024 • 10min
095 || Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 41 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
In Chapter 41 of The Dragon Collector, Javan opens his big mouth and starts the ticking time bomb that makes collecting his first dragon a near impossibility.
But it’s that ticking time bomb that helps speed up the story and send it spinning toward its climax.
Tune in to find out just how long he has to collect that elusive first dragon and what’s at stake if he fails.
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!


