Writing fantasy fiction is not as easy as I once thought…

a young J.R.R. Tolkien, fantasy fiction author

a young J.R.R. Tolkien, fantasy fiction author

So says I, author of now 2 novels out of an originally planned 5 (It’s since dwindled to 3. It’s all I can muster at this point in my life).

But it’s been a lot of fun, regardless.

I’ve always enjoyed fantasy fiction, especially growing up. By the time I was in Jr. High school was reading Tolkien, Piers Anthony, and others. It was a very fun time for my growing mind…

But I never dreamed I’d be writing my own fantasy fiction series. That is, until I had kids.

These fantasy fiction stories come from the same place that many authors find their inspiration – stories they told their kids when they were small.

I don’t know how I decided to tell the first story to the kids. It was probably a lark on a car ride home from church or a friend’s house.

Dragons sounded good, so I created this character out of thin air: Hon, the Dragon Slayer.

Each installment of the story featured this brave, resourceful Dragon Slayer who fought a different dragon (of a different color and with varying breath weapons) in each story.

They were fun, childish stories then, with Hon winning every battle, never getting seriously hurt, and being the sterling hero that kids appreciate.

I remember the car rides home from various places and the kids yelling, “Daddy, tell us a “Hon story!” Those were the first iterations of these books.

These fantasy fiction books have come a very long way from their original inspirations.

Now the “Hon stories” have become 350+ page adventures, full of real-life issues that challenge the reader on a deep level.

I know, because writing about the issues in these books challenged me on a personal level.

There are struggles with loss, hope, anger, tragedy, faith, and the goodness of God in all of it. And I try really hard to address those things without coming off as “preachy” or sanctimonious.

Reviewers of the first book have said that I’ve done a pretty good job of it. I’m thankful for their encouragement.

These Christian fantasy fiction books are available… almost…

Dragon Slayer Beginnings fantasy fiction

Book one in my fantasy fiction series

If you’d like to get your own copies of book one “Dragon Slayer: Begnnings” with it’s new and improved red cover, it’s available in ebook or paperback at http://amzn.com/B00IUMGOPU

The new book (at the top of this post) releases tomorrow – May 1, 2015 in both ebook ( http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VU6XGHC ) and paperback (https://www.createspace.com/5423699 ) formats.

I appreciate any feedback on the books and would also be totally blessed if you are able to pass the word along to anyone you think might be interested.

You can use the social media buttons on this post to do that.

And also, if you could leave a review of the books on Amazon once you’ve read them. That would be great too!

Most of all, I’d appreciate your prayers for this new series to break into the fantasy fiction market so more lives can be impacted for the kingdom of God!

There’s nothing that would matter more to me.

Thanks for your encouragement and support!