Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I am a trained as a geologist and paleontologist. I work as a curator at the Pioneer Trails Regional Museum in Bowman, ND. My first book “Rise of the Dragon Queen” was released March 9th. I am also an avid board gamer, enjoys playing music with my husband, and cuddling with my pets.
How do you make time to write?
I write in the evenings and on the weekends. I tend to carve out times in the evenings to work on my projects. I also take advantage of days when my husband has conferences and school. And I never underestimate the power of carrying a notebook with me for spontaneous inspiration
Do you believe in writer’s block?
I definitely believe in writer’s block. I don’t think that you should force your writing. Sometimes you will have days that you cannot come up with the plot. These are times that you need to go out and find new inspiration!
Tell us a bit about the genre you write and why you love it.
I write in the fantasy genre. I love this fantasy because anything can happen. It stretches the limits of your imagination.
How are you publishing your recent book and why? (Indie, traditional or both)
Indie, I like the freedom and autonomy available in Indie press.
Are you an Introvert or Extrovert? How does this affect your work?
I am an introvert. I think that this helps because I am fairly observant. I sit in the background taking in other people’s actions and use them to build the interactions between my characters. I think it can hurt my work a bit because I do not always understand the motivations of people wanting to be around others all the time.
What is your favorite motivational phrase?
Don’t wait for an opportunity. Create it.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Write what you are interested in. Chances are someone is going to be interested in it too!
Where can readers find you on the World Wide Web?
darrahsteffenwrites.wordpress.com
Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share with us?
Prologue for “Keepers of Knowledge” Book 2 of “Legends of Ethota” series
Akamon stood in the trees. His concentration focused perfectly on the spell he was conjuring. Black magic seeped up from the ground around him. The magic took the form of different creatures.
Akamon gave them an unspoken command. The creatures moved to different points around the forest and waited. The air reeked with the scent of the Elvateth. She was carrying something very dear to Akamon. He would find out who those humans were.
Jennica crept forward along the path. She muttered in elva connecting with the forest. The wind whistled urgently to her ears.
She had more acute senses in the human world. Everything in Mythral had a voice. None of the humans seemed to hear them. Whenever Jennica visited, they assaulted her with their voices.
The wind tugged at her hair. Jennica ignored it. It pulled sharply at her. She realized it was trying to speak to her, and she let go of her mental block. She listened carefully. The wind whispered, “Danger! In danger… Black magic!” The wind whipped away from her, leaving the forest silent. Jennica slowly surveyed her surroundings. A shadow sat by a tree that did not belong. Jennica stared at it for a moment. The shadow pulsed. Jennica sprinted away as it leapt toward her.
The panther was stealthy. It kept pace just behind her. Jennica gritted her teeth. It was toying with her. The beast would attack her, but only after it tormented her.
Jennica whispered to the wind, asking it to rampage. The wind whispered listlessly around her. She cursed the human realm.
Her Power was useless. She could hear the voices, but she could not command anything as she could in Ethota.
Jennica raced down the dirt path. She had to make it to the glaret. If she could only get there in time. Jennica ducked behind a large tree and grabbed her bow. She nocked an arrow.
The panther darted into the trees. Jennica didn’t relax her bow. She watched the shadows. The darkness shifted in the trees. Jennica stepped out from her hiding spot. She carefully aimed and released.
The panther leapt from the tree. Her arrow slammed into its eye. It exploded.
Black magic seeped into the ground.
Jennica gripped the bow, satisfied. She listened to the wind as it beckoned her. She raced along the path. She would be able to make it before the glaret closed. Akamon cursed. He clutched his walking stick, his knuckles turning white. Pain coursed through his body. He muttered curses under his breath. Akamon ordered his creatures out amongst the trees. They quietly surrounded the fleeing girl. Akamon wanted those papers.
Jennica skidded to a stop. The land did not look much different from the rest of the trail she had been following. Jennica tossed sand into the air before her. The air shimmered and pulsed. Jennica whispered a string of words in old Elva. The portal opened.
The old growth forest called to her. She took a step toward her home. A growl pulled her back to the park in which she now stood. The black magic creatures stepped out of the trees. The wolf howled at her. It swiped at her with its large paws.
Jennica glared at it. This was not the first time she had encountered its ilk. She took another step toward the open portal. A spider jumped in her path. It hissed.
Jennica pulled a small bronze ball from her belt. She kept her eyes locked on the two creatures before her. She cupped the bronze ball in her hand. She tapped it three times with a single finger.
Jennica glanced at the portal behind the spider. It reared at her. Jennica took a step backward and launched the ball into the portal.
The spider screeched. It released a web of silk after it. The ball slammed into the portal crackling as it passed between the worlds.
The black line of silk burned on contact with the pulsating portal. The spider writhed as the fire trailed up the web and onto its abdomen. The spider fell. The wolf leapt. Jennica stumbled backward. The wolf fell atop her. Jennica kicked the beast off her. She rose to her knees muttering in old Elva. She raised her arms above her head and dropped them.
The portal closed with a bang. The wolf sprang at her. Jennica rolled out of its way and jumped to her feet. The wolf clamped down on her leg. Jennica fell to the ground, howling. She thrashed in its grip. Blood flowed from her lacerated leg.
Akamon stepped out of the trees and waved his hand. His phantom creatures froze in place. They seemed to melt into the background. The wolf dropped Jennica.
Jennica pulled herself to her feet, grimacing. Akamon simply looked in front of her. The spider moved to block her.
Jennica limped back. She frantically searched for an escape. With her damaged leg, she would not be able to outrun the creatures.
Akamon sneered. He moved with unexpected speed and seized her by the neck, “Where did you send it?”
Akamon dropped her and turned his back to her, “Tell me and I won’t have to harm you.”
The wolf snapped its jaws in anticipation. Jennica rubbed her throat. She steadied herself on her damaged leg, “Why would I ever tell you?” Akamon spun, a dagger appearing in his hand. He pressed it into her neck. She gasped as the cool iron bit her skin.
He growled, “Let’s try this again. What did it say?”
Jennica said nothing. Akamon laughed, “I am not afraid of hurting you, Princess.”
Jennica winced as he nicked her skin. Jennica glared at him. Akamon threw her to the ground. The wolf stepped on her chest and lapped at the trickle of blood on her neck
Jennica turned away in disgust. He kneeled down at her side. He pressed the dagger to her throat once more, “Tell me or pay the price.”
Jennica said, “Poor Akamon. You will search the world, but you will never find what you are looking for.”
The old sorcerer’s yellow eyes burned hot. He muttered in an old language. The creatures disappeared, pulling into a black ball hovering in his hand. Akamon said, “Ah, yes. You should be afraid, Princess.”
Jennica whispered to the wind. The wind whispered back, crying for her. Akamon pressed the black ball to Jennica’s face. Her screams echoed throughout the park.
Akamon stood over her limp body. He stared down at her and smiled.
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Please welcome Mia to the Clog Blog! Mia, Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
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Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
Terin chuckled. “Could you be more perfect?”
The cheering grew in volume. Veronica saw the small shapes of the approaching sculls, the white water thrown up by the oars glistening in the sun. 
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