Of course my book has a setting. I would describe my setting (and characters) as whimsical, magical, and wintry mostly. Readers will tour cities and towns and the woodlands in between.
It also takes place during the 1990s, so how do I make it look like it? I have human teenagers say phrases like:
“Not.”
“Da bomb.”
“Whatever.”
“Take a chill pill.”
Just as a story has to have conflict, there also has to be sidekicks. Friends. Family members. Acquaintances. Mentors. Any kind of ally. The purpose of the sidekick is to encourage the main character to keep going or to think differently about the world.
Here are the friends my main character, Starlight, makes in my upcoming book.
I’m back with more character bios, and I have to share the villains in my story. Every good story has to have conflict, and Starlight is up for some major conflict with dogs within and outside her family.
By the way, this book is Book 1 in my series called “Wonder Around the Corner.” It’s a series of fairy tale retellings set in both an urban and woodland world, and this story is a retelling of the Ugly Duckling.
Hi, Summer Bash guests! Party crashers are welcome, too.
For those of you who followed me for a while, you may already be familiar with what I write. However, let me share more about my writing journey by answering Who, What, Where, How, and Why questions.
WHO am I?
I’m K.A. Ramstad (of course), a creator of fantasy and fairy tale retellings. I write for children, middle grade, and teens, and you’ll see me write a review on a picture or middle grade book every once in a while.
Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there.
Here’s a book for grades K-3 about a dad who, even though he’s on the road working a lot, he still takes time to visit his kids. Here’s Brian Monica reading “Always My Dad.”
Remember when I told you I have a story about a fox that makes light for the Northern Lights?
I found a publisher for it! It’s going to be the same publisher that did my “Friend of the Dire Wolf” novella. This new book, called Starlight, is fit for a middle grade audience who loves fantasy and fairy tale retellings.
Writing a search-and-rescue story? Imagining a mountain-climbing expedition? Looking for ideas on how to write an adventure story and make it as plausible as possible?
Check out this article on Hannah Ruth Johnson’s site, where guest M. Liz Boyle shares tips on research and character development.
If you haven’t heard yet, I wrote a review on a fairy tale story, and it’s complementary with my “Friend of the Dire Wolf” novella. It’s the Caldecott Medal winner Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China, and you can find it on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog.
There’s also a summer bash coming! Beyond the Bookery can’t wait to invite you to join their party on Facebook. It’s their Summer Book Bash, where there’ll be giveaways for you to join.
Apparently, my novella isn’t the only book released in March. Lou Allen of Christian Faith and Fiction has made a list of new releases, covering a wide range of genres for adults and teens.
Which books look interesting to you?
I absolutely cannot talk about my Of Dangers and Dreams story without mentioning my friends Liv Hammonds and Jenny A Bee. Their stories are also in the book.
K.A. Ramstad 