Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Author Bryan Davis - Free Book

Our author today writes for the young adult market, but any other fans of Sci-Fi and Fantasy would love his books. If you haven't tried any Sci-Fi or Fantasy, maybe now's the time.

Welcome, Bryan. My brother's name is spelled Brian, but I love guys with that name. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

My protagonists will usually possess a world view similar to mine as well as a determination to do what’s right, at least according to the moral code he or she has at the time. My other characters are usually quite different.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I am so “unquirky,” I define square and humdrum. So, I suppose you might say that I’m so mundane, I appear to be quirky. For example, I considered it a huge change to buy a pair of cargo pants. Since I almost always wear jeans, when I wore the new pants, my kids looked at me like I had lost my mind. “Who are you, and what did you do with our father?”

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

About thirteen years ago, I began writing a story to help teach our kids how to write. They were all homeschooled, so I was looking for a good method to instill a desire to write. As the story I was writing grew, I developed a passion for story creation that hasn’t waned to this day.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I enjoy stories with strong, moral characters, rather than foolish protagonists who do stupid things. I like complex plots that don’t spoon feed their themes. I want descriptions that flow with the action rather than those that make me sit and read page after page of boring details.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

I have written the four-book Dragons in our Midst series, two books in the Oracles of Fire series, two non-fiction books for men, The Image of a Father and Spit and Polish for Husbands, four children’s picture books, and three unpublished, contemporary novels.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Who says I’m keeping my sanity? Actually, my family is so supportive, the pressure isn’t too bad. I get to work at home, set my own schedule, and, since my kids are homeschooled, I get to take one or more with me when I go on book tours. It’s a great life!

Sounds like it. How do you choose your characters’ names?

Some just occur to me and just seem to fit. With others I search for original meanings. Since I have so many fantasy characters, I can choose odd names with obscure heritage. I have also used a fantasy name generator on the Internet.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Having seven children who have, so far, grown into godly young men and women. They are precious jewels, and I love them very much. I am thankful to God for His guiding hand.

What is your favorite food?

I enjoy so many foods, I can’t pick one, but most Italian dishes are great, and I love a seasoned, broiled fish. And I love cakes and ice cream!

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Get a seasoned author to critique your work. Develop a thick skin. Be willing to take advice. Realize that good writing is very hard work, so if you’re hesitant to bleed over your manuscript, you might be in the wrong profession. If you have a passion for a story, never give up on it. That passion is there for a reason.

What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

Raising Dragons was my first novel and marks the beginning of a fantasy journey through eight books, four in the Dragons in our Midst series and four in the Oracles of Fire series. Two unrelated teenagers in our world and our time learn that they each have a parent who was once a dragon. The parents had been transformed into humans by a miracle back in the time of King Arthur, and since they retained their dragon genetics, they were able to live for centuries. When they finally married and had children, their offspring had dragon traits.

A dragon slayer, who also survived those centuries, has tracked down the dragon-humans and their offspring. He will stop at nothing to kill them all.

Wow! Sounds exciting. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is http://www.dragonsinourmidst.com

Bryan, thank you for spending this time with us.

Readers, check out his web site. If you want a copy of his book, leave a comment.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Bryan with a "y". OK-this series was recommended to me sometime in 2007 and I've had it on my wish list ever since. Bryan, your picture doesn't go with your commentary - jeans, Italian food, cakes & ice cream - and 7 kids??? You're in great shape for all that. What's your secret? Enjoyed the interview; looking forward to the series. Just started writing (or at least thinking about) my first novel, so pray for me - I'm way out of my league!!! Kay Clark

Kathy said...

I'd really like to check this book out. Thanks for the great interview. I enjoyed it. Kathy
sumballo at gmail.com

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

Great to learn more about Bryan Davis. IPlease put me in for the drawing. This book really looks good.
Thanks
Nora

Anonymous said...

Good interview. Would love to to read Bryan Davis' book.

Lauralee Bliss said...

Love to win a book, esp for my son who loves this kind of reading. thanks!

Melanie Dickerson said...

Just wanted to let Bryan know that my daughter really liked Raising Dragons and loaned it to her friend at school, who's an avid reader but is also Hindu. She read it and loved it, so we bought her the second book as a Christmas gift.

So we are using it as a tool to perhaps lead her closer to Christ. Thanks for being faithful to the call!

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book! I think my oldest would love it!

I have 7 kids too :)

Bryan Davis said...

Lena,

Thank you very much for posting the interview. It looks great.

Anonymous, my secret is exercise. I run quite a bit, especially when I indulge in the cake and ice cream.

Melanie, thank you for the word about your daughter and her friend. The second book is more clearly Christian, so it will be interesting to see how her friend reacts. Thank you for being faithful to reach out.

I'll check back here for a while to see if there are any further questions.

Thank you again, Lena!

Bryan Davis

Donald James Parker said...

Bryan had a book selling party about 10 miles away from me but I was unable to go. Now I get a chance to meet him at Mt Hermon. Thanks for sharing more about him and entering me in the drawing.
Donald James Parker

Unknown said...

With nine birthdays in the family a year, you probably have more chances to indulge yourself the average person. =)

windycindy said...

Thanks for the introduction to this wonderful writer and his book! I love Sci-Fi and would appreciate being entered into your drawing. Thanks ver much.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Sci-fi. Hey, this sounds like a good book. I'd love to win it.

Anonymous said...

opps forgot to add name to first comment. I'd love to win this sci-fi book.

Anonymous said...

My daughter RAVES about Bryan's books. In fact, the only time I have ever seen my gregarious child speechless was at ICRS 2006 when she turned around and discovered he was standing behind as at the elevators! Keep up the good work, Bryan. God bless~Kim

ChristyJan said...

Wonderful interview! I'd love to be entered to win a copy of this book.

hawkes@citlink.net

Bryan Davis said...

Kim,

Thank you for expressing your daughter's enjoyment of my books. Are you coming to ICRS in Orlando this year? Let me know, and I'll bring a poster for your daughter.

Bryan Davis

Sonya said...

Wonderful interview! I'm excited about this book. Everyone in my house loves fantasy/sci-fi so it's right up our alley! Count us in for this one!

As always, thanks for doing these wonderful interviews and informing all of us about these great books!

Patty said...

My daughter would love this book. She has read other fantasy books about dragons and loves them, so I'm sure she would love this one too. Count me in.

pleblanc_1 at charter dot net

Cherie J said...

Sounds like a great book. I love dragon stories. Enjoyed the interview.

Roheryn said...

Well... I have to say, I LOVE Bryan Davis' books!
His books have been such a blessing to me ever since I discovered them over two years ago...
the books, and his forum 'bout them have changed my life so much... I sometimes wonder where I'd be if I'd never found them... can't imagine it
~Roh

Tarasview said...

Good interview. I would love to to read Bryan Davis' book.

tetewa said...

I'd like to be included in the draw! tWarner419@aol.com

cathikin said...

I have had this book, he whole series actually, onm y wish list for way too long now. It was good to learn more about the man behind the dragons. 7 children!! I wonder if that had anything to do with the thought of "raising" dragons? I wold love to win a book, then pass it on to some teens.
chassan2 at hotmail.com

Hawk said...

Bryan Davis's Dragons in Our Midst are good for kids, and those like me who are a kid at heart! It touched and taught me on a personal level.

I love them and have introduced 4 people to them.
Currently awaiting with great aticipation his next Oracles of Fire books!


Additionally his Spit and Polish is also quiet good for the young adults who are looking to get married and those who have been married for a while.

Anonymous said...

I think that your books are THE BEST books that I have read. I have told everyone I talk to about them. I have also read the first two in OoF. and cannot wait to read the next one.

Bryan Davis said...

Hawk and Anonymous,

Thank you for saying such nice things about my books!

What a lift!

Bryan Davis