

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

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.

7 snips
Jun 16, 2023 • 7min
058 // Write a Novella in 18 Weeks: How to Outline Your Entire Story in 30 Minutes Max (Week 4)
Summer is the perfect time to dive into novella writing! This session focuses on the essential fourth week of outlining, building a strong story framework. Listeners discover a quick, effective method to draft a rough act outline in just 30 minutes. Gain valuable tips on brainstorming and refining story ideas while staying motivated as a writer. Get ready to propel your creative process and turn your writing dreams into reality!

Jun 7, 2023 • 9min
057 // New Novelist? Do These 2 Weird Things to Speed Up Success
Discover two unique strategies that could revolutionize your writing journey. Embrace your identity as a writer through a symbolic ceremony that sparks creativity. Learn the power of accepting imperfection, allowing mistakes to fuel your growth. Personal stories and motivational insights inspire new novelists to prioritize creativity over the burden of perfection. Ready to speed up your writing success?

4 snips
May 31, 2023 • 3min
056 // Want a Super Simple Overview of the Self-Publishing Process?
Discover the essentials of the self-publishing journey! Learn about common hurdles faced by new authors and hear personal anecdotes that resonate. A clear, simplified roadmap for writing and publishing is provided, guiding you through each step. Additionally, there's an invitation to join a supportive community to share experiences and gain insights. Perfect for aspiring authors seeking clarity on their path!

7 snips
May 24, 2023 • 10min
055 // Follow This 5-Step System for Publishing Success
Explore the essential five-step process to transition from a book idea to publication success. Discover the importance of discipline and accountability in your writing routine. Learn how to break tasks into manageable pieces and why having support is crucial. Dive into the phases of preparation, writing, revising, and publishing, while overcoming perfectionism. Finally, uncover effective strategies for launching and marketing your book, all within a supportive community that helps you thrive as a writer.


