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

By Bonnie Jean Schaefer | Author & Coach, Founder of the League of Adventurous Authors

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Description

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.

Episode Date
How to Build a Writing System When Your Life is a Jigsaw Puzzle | 211
Aug 19, 2025
Why Your Non-Writing Habits Hold the Key to Writing Success | 210
Aug 12, 2025
What a Charging Deer Taught Me About Character Transformation | 209
Aug 05, 2025
Why You’re Already a Professional Author (Even If You Haven’t Sold a Book Yet) | 208
Jul 29, 2025
Why Hero + Goal + Obstacle = Heartbeat of Every Story | 207
Jul 22, 2025
Why Grok 4 (or Any AI Advancement) Makes Your Human Creative Identity More Valuable Than Ever | 206
Jul 15, 2025
Know Your Genre’s Tropes — Then Twist Them | 205
Jul 08, 2025
The Character Development Conversation Every Writer Needs to Hear with Stage Actress Megan Smith | 204
Jul 01, 2025
Write Like You're Catching a Train: The Power of Deadlines | 203
Jun 24, 2025
How Finishing What You Start Changes Everything | 202
Jun 18, 2025
101-Day Challenge Finale: Why Daily Writing Is an Author’s True Professional Credential | 201
Jun 17, 2025
Daily Writing Proves You're Pre-Famous (Not Invisible) | 200
Jun 16, 2025
The Broken Clock That Taught Me How to Finish a Book | 199
Jun 15, 2025
The Confidence Killer Every Writer Faces (And How Daily Writing Fixes It) | 198
Jun 14, 2025
How Daily Writing Creates Professional Authors | 197
Jun 13, 2025
The Success You're Secretly Afraid Of (And Why Daily Writing Is Your Bridge to It) | 196
Jun 12, 2025
Why Writers Freeze—Even When They're Ready | 195
Jun 11, 2025
Want to Build Trust in Your Calling as a Fiction Author? | 194
Jun 10, 2025
Your Confidence as a Writer Isn’t Missing—It’s Buried Under Inconsistency | 193
Jun 09, 2025
You Said You Were Called to Write—Now Prove It | 192
Jun 08, 2025
How Daily Writing Turns You Into a Carrier of World-Changing Ideas | 191
Jun 07, 2025
Stories That Stick: The Brain-Changing Power of Story and Why You Must Write Daily | 190
Jun 06, 2025
How Daily Writing Turns Regret Into Creative Gold | 189
Jun 05, 2025
How Daily Writing Trains You to Catch Inspiration When It Falls | 188
Jun 04, 2025
How Daily Writing Supercharges Your Intuition (Without You Noticing) | 187
Jun 03, 2025
Drill Deeper: Unlocking the Story Core Through Daily Writing | 186
Jun 02, 2025
How Daily Writing Turns Real Life Into Story Fuel | 185
Jun 01, 2025
Surface Stories vs. Soul Stories: Why Fiction Writers Must Show Up Daily | 184
May 31, 2025
Sporadic Writing Won’t Build a Legacy—This Will | 183
May 30, 2025
Write Daily to Leave a Mark That Cannot Be Duplicated | 182
May 29, 2025
How Daily Writing Unleashes Your God-Given Creativity | 181
May 28, 2025
The Invisible Cost of Skipping Your Writing Practice Today | 180
May 27, 2025
How Daily Writing Physically Reinforces Your Professional Author Identity | 179
May 26, 2025
How to Rewire Your Brain So Writing Feels Necessary for Survival | 178
May 25, 2025
The Secret Advantage of a Daily Writing Practice | 177
May 24, 2025
How Daily Writing Activates Your Authentic Voice | 176
May 23, 2025
How I Finally Became a Professional Author (It Wasn’t the Published Novels) | 175
May 22, 2025
Why Writing Daily Keeps Your Brain Curious and Flexible | 174
May 21, 2025
Why Daily Writers Get Better Ideas (Even When They’re Not Writing) | 173
May 20, 2025
Want to Be an Author Who Understands People? Write Characters Daily | 172
May 19, 2025
Train Your Brain to Find Patterns (And Write Better Stories) | 171
May 18, 2025
Why Daily Writing Turns You Into a Story-Detecting Machine | 170
May 17, 2025
Daily Fiction Writing: Plot Twists Begin With the Right Questions | 169
May 16, 2025
How Daily Fiction Writing Extracts Wisdom From Your Soul | 168
May 15, 2025
Write Daily to Stay Present | 167
May 14, 2025
Consistency for Time-Strapped Fiction Writers: The Identity Solution | 166
May 13, 2025
How Daily Writing Uncovers Irony (And Sharpens Your Truth Radar) | 165
May 12, 2025
How Writing Unfamiliar Characters Rewires Your Brain (And Makes You a Better Writer) | 164
May 11, 2025
Writing Daily Strengthens This One Skill Every Writer Needs | 163
May 10, 2025
Upgrade Your Story Radar: Why Daily Writers See More | 162
May 09, 2025
How to Rewire Your Author Identity Through Daily Writing | 161
May 08, 2025
Unlock the Curiosity Cascade— How Daily Writing Makes You Smarter | 160
May 07, 2025
Build the Writer’s Mindset: Frame Reality Like a Storyteller | 159
May 06, 2025
Want to Write Better Without Trying Harder? Do This. | 158
May 05, 2025
Unlock the Hidden Brain Filter That Powers Professional Storytelling | 157
May 04, 2025
Unlocking the Language Engine: How Daily Writing Sparks Original Expression | 156
May 03, 2025
The Writer’s Superpower: Becoming Anyone, Feeling Anything, Building Everything | 155
May 02, 2025
Whisper the Truth: Why Subtext Separates Good Writers from Great Ones | 154
May 01, 2025
How Daily World-Building Unlocks Endless Ideas | 153
Apr 30, 2025
This Is Why Readers Cry, Shiver, or Stay Up Late Devouring Your Novel | 152
Apr 29, 2025
Unlocking Genre Mastery Through Daily Writing | 151
Apr 28, 2025
Forge Wild Ideas Through Daily Writing | 150
Apr 27, 2025
Train Your Inner Author to Feel Story Beats Instinctively | 149
Apr 26, 2025
How Writing Characters Builds Empathy and Emotional Mastery | 148
Apr 25, 2025
Why Writing Daily Makes You a Masterful Story Engineer | 147
Apr 24, 2025
Taste Color, Feel Sound, and Write Worlds That Breathe | 146
Apr 23, 2025
Why Consistent Dialogue Writing Builds Lightning-Fast Creativity | 145
Apr 22, 2025
The Brain Trick Olympians and Professional Writers Have in Common | 144
Apr 21, 2025
The Brain Hack That Makes You a Faster Writer (and Better Editor) | 143
Apr 20, 2025
Sharpen Your Words. Strengthen Your Brain. Speak Like a Storyteller. | 142
Apr 19, 2025
How Daily Writers Develop Elite Narrative Reflexes | 141
Apr 18, 2025
How to Find Your Voice and Write Like No One Else | 140
Apr 17, 2025
Want Writing to Feel Easy? Do This | 139
Apr 16, 2025
This Is How Pro Writers Never Run Out of Ideas | 138
Apr 15, 2025
Your Attention Is Being Stolen—Daily Writing Is How You Steal It Back | 137
Apr 14, 2025
How Daily Writing Rewires Overthinking into Genius | 136
Apr 13, 2025
The Unexpected Secret to Writing with Consistency | 135
Apr 12, 2025
Why Writers Lose Their Spark—and How to Get It Back | 134
Apr 11, 2025
How AI, Discipline, and Daily Deadlines Are Making Me the Creative Author I Was Born to Be | 133
Apr 10, 2025
The Mental Reboot You Need: How Writing Rewires Your Brain for Clarity | 132
Apr 09, 2025
Break the Validation Addiction — Build the Writing System That Makes You a Professional | 131
Apr 08, 2025
Why Focused Writers Win — and How to Train Your Brain to Ignore Distractions | 130
Apr 07, 2025
Why Writing Daily Makes You Mentally Stronger Than 99% of Writers | 129
Apr 06, 2025
Creative Command: Why You Don’t Need Permission to be a Professional Author | 128
Apr 05, 2025
Write the Storm—How to Turn Raw Emotion Into Creative Fuel | 127
Apr 04, 2025
Stop Waiting for Permission — The Brain Science of Courageous Writing | 126
Apr 03, 2025
Write in the Fog—Train Your Brain to Create Without Guarantees | 125
Apr 02, 2025
Write First, Win Later: Why Delayed Gratification Makes You Unstoppable | 124
Apr 01, 2025
The Day I Got a 2-Star Review (and Stopped Writing) | 123
Mar 31, 2025
Write Into the Fire—Train Your Brain to Stop Fearing the Page | 122
Mar 30, 2025
How Daily Writing Rewires Your Brain to Handle Criticism | 121
Mar 29, 2025
Neural Training for Writers: Build Resistance to Creative Fear | 120
Mar 28, 2025
Faithfulness Over Fraud: A Writer’s Cure for Impostor Syndrome | 119
Mar 27, 2025
The Perfectionism Extinction Program: Why Daily Writing Kills the Need to Wait | 118
Mar 26, 2025
What Daily Writing Does to Your Brain (and Why It Changes Everything) | 117
Mar 25, 2025
Write Faster, Think Sharper, Create Deeper—Flow State Unlocked | 116
Mar 24, 2025
Resistance Jiu-Jitsu: Flip Creative Blocks Into Breakthroughs | 115
Mar 23, 2025
The Writing Method That Crushes Burnout and Builds Skill Faster | 114
Mar 22, 2025
Break the 66-Day Writing Curse and Make Creativity Automatic | 113
Mar 21, 2025
Your Creativity Is Under Attack—Here’s How to Defend It | 112
Mar 20, 2025
Why Daily Writing Triggers Creative Addiction (in the Best Way Possible) | 111
Mar 19, 2025
Turn Your Procrastination Habit Into a Writing Superpower | 110
Mar 18, 2025
Why High-Performing Writers Don’t Decide to Write | 109
Mar 17, 2025
Want Writing to Feel Easy? Do This One Thing Daily | 108
Mar 16, 2025
How Daily Writing Expands Your Time (It’s Science, Not Magic) | 107
Mar 15, 2025
Sporadic Writing Is Holding You Back—Here’s What to Do Instead | 106
Mar 14, 2025
What Marathon Training Taught Me About Writing Consistently | 105
Mar 13, 2025
Why a Daily Writing Habit is the Key to Becoming a Professional Author | 104
Mar 12, 2025
The Writer’s Battle: Outlast Resistance and Win the Creative War | 103
Mar 11, 2025
Eat Before You’re Hungry—Write Before You’re Ready | 102
Mar 10, 2025
The Time Trap: Why You’re Not Writing (And How to Break Free) | 101
Mar 09, 2025
Writing, Running, and Resilience: The Challenge That Changes Everything | 100
Mar 08, 2025
Publish Your Poems! with Poet Barbara Sweeney — 99
Oct 09, 2024
Embrace Your Adventurous Author Identity — 98
Oct 09, 2024
97 | Fantasy Fiction: Chapter 43 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Mar 22, 2024
096 || Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 42 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy
Mar 08, 2024
095 || Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 41 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Mar 01, 2024
094 || Write Stories that are Met with the Silence of Awe
Jan 22, 2024
093 || A Poem for the Christian Author who Wants to Write a Book But is Scared to Start
Jan 21, 2024
092 || New Year, New Me, Same God
Jan 19, 2024
091 || Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 40 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy
Dec 29, 2023
090 || RECEIVE God’s Goodness this Christmas
Dec 25, 2023
089 || Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 39 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Nov 24, 2023
088 || Wonder How to Brainstorm Your Story Ideas with Confidence? Listen to this LIVE Brainstorming Session.
Nov 17, 2023
087 || Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 38 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Nov 03, 2023
086 || How to Finish 2023 Strong as a Christian Author
Nov 02, 2023
085 || Try This Trick to Write a Memorable Final Scene of Your Novel
Oct 27, 2023
084 || Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 37 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Oct 14, 2023
083 || 2 Simple Ways to Solve 1 Big Writing Problem for Fiction Authors
Oct 11, 2023
082 || Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 36 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Oct 06, 2023
081 || Why Being a #1 NY Times Bestselling Author is NOT My Goal
Oct 04, 2023
080 || Goodbye, Published Before College
Sep 27, 2023
079 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 35 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Sep 23, 2023
078 // How Fast Can You Write? And No, Texting Doesn’t Count
Sep 21, 2023
077// Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 34 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Sep 15, 2023
076 // 3 Tips for Book Marketing Success with #1 Internationally Bestselling Author Lynda Sunshine West
Sep 07, 2023
075 // How to Use AI as an Author to Conquer the Blank Page
Aug 31, 2023
074 // Feeling Isolated as a Teen Author? 3 Ways to Connect with Other Authors
Aug 18, 2023
073 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 33 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Aug 11, 2023
072 // 5 Fun Creative Writing Prompts to Kickstart Your Story
Aug 09, 2023
071 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 32 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Aug 04, 2023
070 // 2 Recent Discoveries that Verify the Bible is True (Why Believe the Bible series, part 5)
Jul 28, 2023
069 // 1 Unlikely Source Outside the Bible that Helps Prove the Bible is True (Why Believe the Bible series, part 4)
Jul 28, 2023
068 // 3 Evidence-Based Reasons to Believe the Bible is True (Why Believe the Bible series, part 3)
Jul 26, 2023
067 // These 2 Prophecies Prove the Bible is True (Why Believe the Bible series, part 2)
Jul 25, 2023
066 // How Can You as a Christian Author Know the Bible is True? (Why Believe the Bible series, part 1)
Jul 25, 2023
065 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 31 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy
Jul 14, 2023
064 // 7 Tips for Writing a Fast First Draft (Write a Novella series, weeks 7-12)
Jul 11, 2023
063 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 30 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Jul 07, 2023
062 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Chapter 29 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Jun 30, 2023
061 // Draft a Scene Outline to Demolish Writer’s Block (Write a Novella series, week 6)
Jun 28, 2023
060 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Author DK Drake Reads Chapter 28 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Jun 23, 2023
059 // The 15 Steps of a Captivating Plot Outline (Write a Novella Series, week 5)
Jun 22, 2023
058 // Write a Novella in 18 Weeks: How to Outline Your Entire Story in 30 Minutes Max (Week 4)
Jun 16, 2023
057 // New Novelist? Do These 2 Weird Things to Speed Up Success
Jun 07, 2023
056 // Want a Super Simple Overview of the Self-Publishing Process?
May 31, 2023
055 // Follow This 5-Step System for Publishing Success
May 24, 2023
054 // Could This One Habit Help You Reach Your Writing Goals Faster?
May 17, 2023
053 // 3 Tips for Writing Stellar Stories
May 10, 2023
052 // Your Creative Brain Will Thank You for This
May 05, 2023
051 // Enrich Your Writing With Adventures! Author DK Drake and Becky Interview Each Other (part II)
May 04, 2023
050 // Are You an Adventurous Author Who Likes to Hike? Author DK Drake and Becky Interview Each Other While On Their Hiking Adventure
May 03, 2023
049 // How NOT Writing Can Make You a Better Writer
Apr 26, 2023
048 // 3 Reasons I’m Taking Break From Podcasting in March
Mar 02, 2023
047 // Write a Novella Series: 5 Random Questions to Help You Develop Interesting Characters in Week 3
Feb 22, 2023
046 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Author DK Drake Reads Chapter 27 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Feb 17, 2023
045 // Write a Novella Series: 3 Story Elements to Work On in Week 2
Feb 14, 2023
044 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Author DK Drake Reads Chapter 26 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Feb 10, 2023
043 // Want to Write a Novella? Follow This 7-Step Plan
Feb 07, 2023
042 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Author DK Drake Reads Chapter 25 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Feb 04, 2023
041 // Should You Self-Publish? with Children’s Picture Book Author Sheryl Bass
Jan 31, 2023
040 // One Idea to Help You Be a More Productive Author
Jan 24, 2023
039 // Author DK Drake Reads Chapter 24 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Jan 20, 2023
038 // If Writing Was a Competitive Sport...
Jan 10, 2023
037 // Ever Consider the Character of the Characters in the Christmas Story?
Dec 25, 2022
036 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Author DK Drake Reads Chapter 23 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Dec 23, 2022
035 // Graduate College Debt Free AND Have Money in the Bank with Guest Host Kara Walker
Dec 20, 2022
034 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Author DK Drake Reads Chapter 22 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Dec 16, 2022
033 // How Budgeting in High School Leads to Financial Freedom with Guest Host Kara Walker
Dec 15, 2022
032 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Author DK Drake Reads Chapter 21 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Dec 09, 2022
031 // Are You a Young Author Struggling with Doubts About Being Good Enough?
Dec 06, 2022
030 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Author DK Drake Reads Chapter 20 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Nov 25, 2022
029 // Is Self-Publishing Cheating? Three Reasons Why I Chose to Ditch the Traditional Route and Self-Publish Instead
Nov 22, 2022
028 // Fantasy Fiction Friday: Author DK Drake Reads Chapter 19 of The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel
Nov 19, 2022
027 // How Long Should My Book Be? Three Ways to Determine the Word Count for Your First Book
Nov 15, 2022
026 // Day 21 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 18
Nov 10, 2022
025 // Day 20 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 17
Nov 09, 2022
024 // Day 19 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 16
Nov 08, 2022
023 // Day 18 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 15
Nov 07, 2022
022 // Day 17 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 14
Nov 07, 2022
021 // Day 16 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 13
Nov 05, 2022
020 // Day 15 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 12
Nov 04, 2022
019 // Day 14 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 11
Nov 03, 2022
018 // Day 13 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 10
Nov 03, 2022
017 // Day 12 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 9
Nov 01, 2022
016 // Day 11 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 8
Oct 31, 2022
015 // Day 10 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 7
Oct 31, 2022
014 // Day 9 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 6
Oct 30, 2022
013 // Day 8 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 5
Oct 29, 2022
012 // Day 7 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 4
Oct 27, 2022
011 // Day 6 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 3
Oct 26, 2022
010 // Day 5 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 2
Oct 25, 2022
009 // Day 4 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Chapter 1
Oct 24, 2022
008 // Day 3 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Prologue III
Oct 23, 2022
007 // Day 2 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Prologue II
Oct 22, 2022
006 // Day 1 of the 21 Days of Storytelling Featuring The Dragon Collector, a YA Fantasy Novel: Prologue I
Oct 21, 2022
005 // Three Things Every Christian Author Needs to Know to Be a Great Storyteller
Oct 20, 2022
004 // Why You Must Write This One Thing Before You Start or Continue Your Novel-Writing Journey
Oct 11, 2022
003 // Want to Write a Novel? Start With This Simple 3 Step Story Structure
Oct 08, 2022
002 // Are Creative Writing Prompts Useless? How Someone Else’s Writing Idea Turned Into an Income-Producing Fantasy Series
Sep 26, 2022
001 // Should You Use a Pen Name? Three Reasons Not to and Why I Ignored All Three When Publishing My First Fantasy Novel
Sep 26, 2022
Official Trailer for The Adventurous Author
Sep 23, 2022