Premium Indie Reads: FEATURED AUTHOR: DAVID BLAIR and Dragons in the Clouds

Do you believe in dragons?

Get to know our featured author, DAVID BLAIR and his novel, Dragons in the Clouds.

Tell us something about the man, David Blair. Who are you?

Since grade school I have been on the creative side. Back then, I was known for drawing Dinosaurs and I would get lent out to other classrooms to draw Dinosaurs on the walls. During the 8th grade, I wrote, directed and starred in a student film called ‘’Destination Destiny’’. Also, as far as I could remember, I have always loved going to the movies.

Now at the age of 59, I can tell you, I have been through a lot. At times, my journey has been a difficult one. Nothing is handed to you. You have to work hard to obtain your dreams. My experiences have been from the lowest valley all the way to the highest mountain.

I most recently worked as a production supervisor for EnterAktion Studios.

And who's the writer? How was Dragons in the Clouds conceived?

My most favorite and influential writer would be Rod Sterling, of the famed television show The Twilight Zone. I was captivated watching that show. My favorite author is Charles Dickens. A Christmas Carol to this day has a place in my heart. All my work has a paranormal feel to it.

I started my storytelling at the young age of 14. I created and started writing the story, Dragons in the Clouds over 20 years ago. It started with the song, "Puff the Magic Dragon". I always did love that song as I am sure you did. And I thought it would make a great story. As I was creating the dragon story based on Puff, I had lunch with Kathleen Kennedy’s hair stylist, the film producer at Universal. I mentioned that I was working on a dragon story based on Puff, and then wouldn’t you know it, about a month later I read in Variety, an industry magazine that Kennedy had bought the rights to Puff. That taught me a lesson to keep my mouth shut. So, part of the story behind Dragons in the Clouds is "Puff".

The other and most important part is, I was in a smoke shop that had crystals and incense and such. And there I was with early stages of a Dragon story with nowhere to go, when I came upon a pewter dragon statue. It was a dragon standing upon clouds holding a crystal ball. The minute I picked it up. I had the story formulating in my head. In the time it took me to drive home, I had the outline/treatment in my head. I immediately sat down at the computer and wrote it out.

I originally wrote Dragons in the Clouds in screenplay format and only recently converted it into novel format.

Why did you choose to write Young Adult Fiction?

Well, I write in all genres, Dragons in the Clouds just happens to lend to the younger audience. But there is something in it for everybody. It’s a story that has a combination of Harry Potter and Jurassic Park blended together. Also with the way it was written, it’s an easy read for the younger audience. But it is action, action and more action.

Is there a book or author that inspired you to be a writer?

Here I have to revert back to A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. That story has it all --- paranormal, ghost, excellent plot, and most of all wonderful characters. I also love Great Expectations.

What can readers expect when they read Dragons in the Clouds?

They can expect the ride of their life, for sure. There is a lot of action. Dragons battle it out among the clouds --- lightning strikes are dragons blowing fire and thunder is a Dragons roar. My wish is that when this generation and future generations see lightning and thunder storms, they think of Dragons battling it out for domination of the skies above.

Are you releasing a new book anytime soon?

I plan to. I do have two other completed stories. One is a contemporary crime drama called Meaner than the Devil, which features paranormal activity. And the other story is a western called, The Hunt for the Apache Kid, of which I really like the climax of that story. It takes place in Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. I also have about 7 treatments ready to go into full blown stories.

What do you love about being an author?

Everything. I love everything about writing. From the initial idea, to formulating the plot, to culminating an exciting ending. To the finished product.

Here is my process. I develop a treatment, a twenty page summary of the entire story. That is where i work out the plot from ending to beginning. This method prevents writers block to almost nonexistent. After I have a satisfactory treatment, I dissect sentence by sentence. This is where I add dialog, character development, scene and basic description. Writing is a ride I am blessed to be able to take.

What is your message to readers?

There is a saying, "If you love what you do for work, you never work a day in your life. Chase your dreams and never give up. The greatest word ever is "Try". As long as you keep trying, you will never be a failure. Be a loyal friend, put integrity first, and always remember... character counts.

FOLLOW DAVID BLAIR:

www.dragonsintheclouds.com

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