
The Adventurous Author | How to Write a Book, Character Development, Write with Consistency, Creative Writing,Story Structure
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.
Latest episodes

7 snips
May 13, 2025 • 6min
Consistency for Time-Strapped Fiction Writers: The Identity Solution | 166
Consistency in writing isn't about productivity; it's about embracing your identity as an author. By connecting your creative actions to who you are, you unlock deeper clarity and strength. Insights drawn from daily practices emphasize sustainable creativity over sheer willpower. Personal stories highlight the transformative power of fully embodying your role as a storyteller. A fun writing challenge invites you to align your character's actions with your own journey of becoming, not just performing. Tune in for inspiration!

7 snips
May 12, 2025 • 8min
How Daily Writing Uncovers Irony (And Sharpens Your Truth Radar) | 165
Discover how daily writing transforms your perception of irony and sharpens your truth radar. Dive into the brain science behind creativity and learn why irony is a powerful tool for clarity in storytelling. Explore a unique writing challenge designed to enhance both your narrative skills and your ability to notice life's contradictions. Unleash your writer's brain and turn everyday observations into compelling stories!

May 11, 2025 • 6min
How Writing Unfamiliar Characters Rewires Your Brain (And Makes You a Better Writer) | 164
🔥 Ever struggle to write characters who are nothing like you?
What if that struggle is the key to unlocking your next level—not just as a writer, but as a human?
In today’s episode, I share:
✔️ How my own characters—Javan, Micah, Taliya, and Krystyn—have deeply challenged me
✔️ The neuroscience behind why writing diverse characters expands your empathy
✔️ Why writing unfamiliar characters is soul training, not just storytelling
✔️ A writing challenge that will stretch your range and deepen your stories
🎧 Listen now.
Keep the words rolling and the adventures unfolding,
Bonnie Jean
Next Steps:
🔥 Adventurous Enough for a 101-Day Mega Challenge?
START TODAY at LeagueOfAdventurousAuthors.com. No cost. Except relentless commitment.
Because the difference between ‘wanting to write’ and ‘being a writer’ is simple… you write.
Escape into the Land of Zandador (the books I write under my pen name of Author D.K. Drake): Purchase one or all of the Dragon Stalker Bloodline Saga books on Amazon.
📢 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.

May 10, 2025 • 5min
Writing Daily Strengthens This One Skill Every Writer Needs | 163
Want to retain the most meaningful moments of your life? Write them into your stories.
In today’s episode of The Adventurous Author, we explore how daily fiction writing strengthens your memory by encoding real-life experiences into scenes, characters, and emotional truth.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
✔️ Why your brain retains story-based memory better than raw data
✔️ How daily fiction writing helps you process, preserve, and repurpose emotional insight
✔️ What Scripture says about treasuring life’s moments and converting them into wisdom
This is how you remember what matters—and give others access to it too.
🎧 Listen now.
Keep the words rolling and the adventures unfolding,
Bonnie Jean
Next Steps:
🔥 Adventurous Enough for a 101-Day Mega Challenge?
START TODAY at LeagueOfAdventurousAuthors.com. No cost. Except relentless commitment.
Because the difference between ‘wanting to write’ and ‘being a writer’ is simple… you write.
Escape into the Land of Zandador (the books I write under my pen name of Author D.K. Drake): Purchase one or all of the Dragon Stalker Bloodline Saga books on Amazon.
📢 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.

May 9, 2025 • 6min
Upgrade Your Story Radar: Why Daily Writers See More | 162
Most people miss what matters. But writers? We’re trained to see what others don’t.
In today’s episode of The Adventurous Author, you’ll discover how daily writing sharpens your internal lens to detect truth, theme, and meaning—even in the most mundane moments.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
✔️ Why your brain is wired for pattern recognition—and how writing trains it to find emotional and spiritual signals in everyday life
✔️ What Scripture says about drawing eternity out of the ordinary
✔️ A simple, powerful challenge to turn chaos, boredom, or frustration into revelation
Write it like it matters—because it does.
🎧 Listen now.
Keep the words rolling and the adventures unfolding,
Bonnie Jean
Next Steps:
🔥 Adventurous Enough for a 101-Day Mega Challenge?
START TODAY at LeagueOfAdventurousAuthors.com. No cost. Except relentless commitment.
Because the difference between ‘wanting to write’ and ‘being a writer’ is simple… you write.
Escape into the Land of Zandador (the books I write under my pen name of Author D.K. Drake): Purchase one or all of the Dragon Stalker Bloodline Saga books on Amazon.
📢 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.

May 8, 2025 • 7min
How to Rewire Your Author Identity Through Daily Writing | 161
Want to transform your identity as a writer? Start with what you write—about yourself.
In today’s episode of The Adventurous Author, we dive into the brain-rewiring power of Narrative Identity Rewiring: how daily writing reshapes the way you see yourself and reinforces who you’re becoming—one honest sentence at a time.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
✔️ How repeated language shapes belief and rewires your internal story
✔️ Why daily writing is the fastest way to upgrade your self-image
✔️ A biblical process to “put off” the old self and “put on” the new with clarity and intention
🎧 Listen now.
Keep the words rolling and the adventures unfolding,
Bonnie Jean
Next Steps:
🔥 Adventurous Enough for a 101-Day Mega Challenge?
START TODAY at LeagueOfAdventurousAuthors.com. No cost. Except relentless commitment.
Because the difference between ‘wanting to write’ and ‘being a writer’ is simple… you write.
Escape into the Land of Zandador (the books I write under my pen name of Author D.K. Drake): Purchase one or all of the Dragon Stalker Bloodline Saga books on Amazon.
📢 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.

6 snips
May 7, 2025 • 6min
Unlock the Curiosity Cascade— How Daily Writing Makes You Smarter | 160
Curiosity is the unsung hero of great writing. Discover how daily writing rewires your brain to seek deeper understanding and enhances your creativity. Embrace the transformative power of curiosity as a vital tool for character development. Unlock the potential of insightful questioning and personal connections through consistent writing practices. Listen in to learn how curiosity can make you not just a writer, but an observant storyteller.

7 snips
May 6, 2025 • 6min
Build the Writer’s Mindset: Frame Reality Like a Storyteller | 159
Ever feel overwhelmed by life's chaos? Discover how daily writing acts as a filter, giving clarity and creativity to your experiences. Transform emotional moments into meaningful stories that sharpen your understanding and direction. Learn about the power of narrative reflection and how it can lead to a more intentional life. Join a community of writers committed to this transformative practice and unlock your storytelling potential!

May 5, 2025 • 6min
Want to Write Better Without Trying Harder? Do This. | 158
Ever wish you could write more intuitively—like the scene just knows where to go next?
In today’s episode of The Adventurous Author, we explore the science (and scripture) behind why daily writing sharpens your creative instincts faster than any course or craft book ever could.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
✔️ How daily repetition trains your unconscious brain to recognize good story flow automatically
✔️ Why intuition isn’t magic—it’s muscle memory formed through daily feedback
✔️ A biblical principle that confirms: truth is revealed through doing, not just thinking
🎧 Listen now.
Keep the words rolling and the adventures unfolding,
Bonnie Jean
Next Steps:
🔥 Adventurous Enough for a 101-Day Mega Challenge?
START TODAY at LeagueOfAdventurousAuthors.com. No cost. Except relentless commitment.
Because the difference between ‘wanting to write’ and ‘being a writer’ is simple… you write.
Escape into the Land of Zandador (the books I write under my pen name of Author D.K. Drake): Purchase one or all of the Dragon Stalker Bloodline Saga books on Amazon.
📢 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.

8 snips
May 4, 2025 • 7min
Unlock the Hidden Brain Filter That Powers Professional Storytelling | 157
Discover how your brain's Reticular Activating System acts as a storytelling superpower, helping you focus on the creative gems around you. Daily writing not only sharpens this filter but also transforms your perception of the world. Dive into a thrilling 15-minute significance scavenger hunt that enriches your creative process. Embrace a 101-day writing adventure to cultivate meaningful connections and inspire personal growth. Tune in for a journey that turns noise into narrative!