I had the opportunity to assist a Canadian gentleman who was looking for guidance with writing his new book. He contacted me due to my history of writing stories set in Scotland, and which included dragons. (Did I mention I LOVE dragons?) I suggested an editor, and said I would be happy to help him with a cover...for a price.
Long story short, Kathy Rothenberger got him through the first edits, but a problem with his word processing software had him asking me to look through it.
VERY long story short, I reformatted the story, added some dialog suggestions, and created the front and back covers. The book is finally out in both ebook and print (my first experience with Lulu.com and its print on demand software).
The Story:
DRAGON QUESTS moves
through the centuries with the youthful Johnathan/Ianatan, Wizards, Crusader
Knights and the shape-shifting dragon clan Draco, following their war with the
Wyverns.
Actions take place
through ancient and contemporary Europe, Canada,
Scotland and Israel
in the passing of times. There are young
captured dragons to be rescued from a Wizard’s spell.
With puzzles, for
hidden gold, for a magic sword, a religious relic, and the resolution of a
murder occurring in Dragon Quests.
A Free Excerpt:
The conference call was connected, and put on
speaker. Mr. Ronaldson and his grandson, Ian, were both on the Ontario connection.
Everyone introduced themselves, and then,
Lora acting as coordinator, explained that the Pendregans were interested in
perhaps, visiting the castle. They outlined their intent with Alex’s
permission, to perhaps do a search for articles, such as religious relics they
had been led to believe might be hidden there. They explained briefly that they’d
received information that had turned up just recently, from their long dead
ancestor, an Oberon Pendragon. There were only some rather vague directions for
locating the relics on the castle site. Perhaps Alex could accompany them, all
expenses paid, of course, for a few days, or even a week or two?
The reference to the name ‘Pendragon’ struck
both Alex and Ian into quick looks at each other, they stopped, thoughtful and
quiet for a moment.
“Hello? Are you there?”
Covering the phone, Alex Ronaldson expressed
puzzlement to Ian, “Pendragon? Oh, at first, ‘Pendregan’ didn’t sink in. But
Pendragons, arriving in Aerie! That may be cause for concern there, if the way
isn’t properly cleared. What relics? None in Aerie, or the castle, as far as
any have told…not even the dragons had ever even hinted at anything of the
like, and they’ve been about near forever.”
Ian shrugged. “Might be interesting though,
eh?” he whispered.
Alex continued the call, “Sorry, we were conferring.” Alex declined any
visit, citing his health, but he suggested that perhaps, if they might wait
until school was out for the summer, his teen-aged grandson, Ian, just might
take the trip again, as he had old (he
thought, verrry old), friends there.
“Give me a couple of days to talk to Ian and
his parents before deciding anything, then I’ll get back to you. As for any
search,” he agreed, “as long as there was someone present representing my
interests, to keep me informed.”
He added with a laugh, “so that the castle
ruins are not damaged. I’ll certainly have to talk with him and to his parents,
and he might have plans already. Ian usually keeps quite active in sports
leagues over the summer, but we’ll see, and we’ll be in touch.”
Lora placed a call to Lunette late the next
day. “I received another call back from Mr. Ronaldson. It seems that Ian
Ronaldson, the young man on the conference call, the one that deciphered the
location of the treasure, will happily accompany you, and be glad to act as a
guide and intermediary with the townsfolk, if needed, if you can wait until
school’s out in a couple of weeks or so. He knows the lay of the land and
should be an asset. He seems to have a curious and investigative mind, from
what I’m told. I’ll pass on their location and phone number in Niagara on the Lake, and leave the rest to you two, to arrange things
with the Ronaldsons. Stay in touch, don’t hesitate to contact us if we can
help.”
Dragon Quests is good, clean fun...an adventure spanning many countries, with unusual characters and beasties. Author Ron A. West was a joy to work with. He would love to hear what you think. Please give it a look!
Buy Links:
About the Author
Ron had always dabbled
in writing anecdotal short stories and had written dozens of poems, many of
which were whimsy. Flirting with writing a book, he'd never found 'the' story.
One morning at breakfast
he mentioned to his wife a Southern Belle, that he'd had a dream about their
grandson finding a young dragon in a dungeon cell. Her response was the three
words too seldom exchanged by older married couple. “Write it down.”
And now Ron has.
