Monday, May 20, 2013

Interview with L.R.W. Lee author of Andy Smithson Blast of the Dragon’s Fury ~ WOI May 2013 Tour



Andy Smithson
Blast of the Dragon’s Fury

Ten-year-old Andy Smithson lands with a thud on a cold, hard floor. He hears the sounds of breaking glass, things falling and something fizzing. It’s pitch dark. Strange smells erupt around him. So begin Andy’s adventures in the Land of Oomaldee.

From the After Life, dead King Hercalon IV is tired of waiting. Put nicely, his daughter, Imogenia, is being difficult. She cast a curse on her brother, Kaysan, for murdering her. After 500 years, she’s still ticked at him and is refusing to lift it. The King thrusts Andy, through no fault of his own, into this “sticky” situation to resolve the impasse.

Family issues? That’s not the half of it. Andy has a few issues of his own to deal with, like that tiny problem of him single-handedly flooding the castle, nearly destroying it. But wait, there’s more… After barely surviving quicksand, giants, capture and vicious vulture attacks, Andy fails to retrieve a red dragon scale, an ingredient critical in breaking the curse. Now, he faces the biggest challenge of his life, defeating the evil King Abaddon, monarch of Oomaldee’s northern neighbor. Will he survive a battle with this ferocious, seven-headed-fire-breathing dragon? Will the curse ever be broken? Will he ever return to his normal life?

Publication Date:
April 2013

List Price: $11.99

ISBN: 978-1482312645

Specs: Paperback, 245 pp.

Wholesale Orders:
Ingram, Baker & Taylor

Retail Orders:



Praise for L. R. W. Lee
Her humor is visible and the book has many clever touches in this multi-layered story. L. R. W. Lee is a strong and determined writer with a well-thought-through plot and vivid characters and situations.”
— Barbara Bamberger Scott, Editor
A Woman’s Write

About the Author
Since the age of eight, L. R. W. Lee wanted to write a book that not only entertained, but also impacted people, changing lives. She began her creative journey by placing 3rd in a writing contest in middle school, and winning an essay contest in high school. After a career in public and corporate accounting, she became a mom and accomplished business owner. After 12 years of growing her business, she successfully sold it in early 2012. Now L. R. W. Lee has turned her creative energy and talent to writing her debut novel, Andy Smithson: Blast of the Dragon’s Fury (Book One).


Contact:


Website: www.LRWLee.com


Twitter: @lrwlee




Joining us today is L. R. W. Lee, author of Andy Smithson: Blast of the Dragon’s Fury (Book One). This is a children’s book geared toward ages 9-10.

Can you please start off by telling us a bit about yourself?I was born in Upstate New York. My family didn’t have a lot of money so my older brother and I were encouraged to use our imaginations to entertain ourselves. And use them we did – climbing trees and creating tree forts, using a quilt for a matchbox car city, making puppets and putting on shows, and much more.

I went to college and got a degree in Accounting. However, most folks frown on “creative accounting”, so I put my imagination on hold. My business interests eventually led me to founded and grow a successful company which, with my partner, I sold in January 2012, leaving me time to imagine and write for the first time.

I live in scenic Austin, TX with my husband, my daughter who is a Longhorn at UT Austin and my son who is in high school. The Sound of Music is my favorite musical. I hate scary movies. But, I love piano and strings music, sunsets in Hawaii and a good cup of decaf, French press coffee (yes, decaf!). I also love Ansel Adams prints, as well as all manner of kinetic art.

When did you first get published?This is my first published work.

Do you feel you were bit by the writing bug?I don’t know that writing was a sudden urge. I remember as far back as 8 years old wanting to write a book. At the time though, I felt that I did not have anything meaningful to say, but hoped I would one day.

Why did you decide to write for children?I’m a kid at heart. I love the innocence of childhood and the trust that kids give to willingly accept a world I have invented and just go with it.

Do you believe it is harder to write books for a younger audience vs. a teen or adult reader?I don’t know. I approach writing for middle grade with respect, knowing this age is very flexible and willing to absorb what I invent. I think this grade can be talked down to when this age kid can get some very advanced subjects if you lay it out in a logical manner for them. When I write, I assume my readers can get what I’m saying.
What is your favorite part of writing for young people?My favorite part is inventing worlds out of nothing more than words. To me, words are magic! Everyone’s reality is just words. To be allowed to construct a world or people or a scene out of nothing but words and have readers trust me with that, is a privilege. The greatest challenge to writing to this group is communicating the messages I am passionate about in a way that readers can get for themselves without preaching. At times, this is a big struggle for me. I know what significant change happened for me, personally, that fuels my passion for writing – I just want to tell people about it! However, in the context of a book, I can’t. This adds a lot of challenge for me. The character of the inneru came out of this conflict, so much good can result!

Can you tell us what your latest book is all about?Ten-year-old Andy Smithson is magically brought to the Land of Oomaldee while he is doing dishes one night. Unbeknowst to him, he is there to break a 500 year old curse. Andy learns that his quest is the Dragon’s Lair to find an ingredient critical to breaking the curse - the scale from an elusive red dragon, the fiercest of all dragon species. Andy nearly destroys the castle amidst adventures battling fire-breathing dragons, fighting vicious vulture attacks, escaping people-eating giants and more. I had a lot of fun interjecting humor throughout the book in the form of fart jokes that appeal to middle graders, but also more advanced word play for adult readers. One example, when Andy is faced with crossing a raging river, he speaks of overcoming the “current” problem. I love doing word plays like this. You’ll find these throughout the book, particularly in the prologue.
There are many teachable moments sprinkled throughout the book. I’d say overcoming frustration, fear and impatience are important messages in this book as well as commitment and dedication to a cause because of those you love.
I am passionate about helping others embody new ways of approaching these and similar situations. As a result, I have included on my website discussion questions for parents to work through with their kids.

What inspired you to write it?I founded and grew a business for 12 years beginning in 2000 and successfully sold it in January 2012. In 2005, I chose to bring on a partner/mentor to continue to grow it. He taught me not only business narratives, but also shared his personal philosophies. He is Korean and therefore has many philosophies that you might call Eastern-based that are refreshingly different from Western-based philosophies I was raised with. Many of these, including overcoming frustration, impatience and fear among others, significantly changed how I think and act. It is these life principles that I seek to share through my books. I hope to help others better enjoy their journey through life. I am passionate about helping others embody new ways of approaching these and similar situations. As a result, I have included on my website discussion questions for parents to work through with their kids.

Where can readers purchase a copy?Both the eBook as well as the paperback are available at Amazon.com or you can get the paperback and other gear, like T-shirts, at my website at www.lrwlee.com. While you’re there, be sure to check out the Read, Review, Refer reward program where you can get a free copy of the next book.

Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?My website is at www.lrwlee.com and my Facebook author page is at www.facebook.com/lrwlee.

What is up next for you?I’ve started the second book in the series, Andy Smithson: Venom of the Serpent’s Cunning that I hope to have out winter 2013.

Do you have anything else to add?Just that authors love to hear what you think of their work. It’s a vulnerable business inventing something and then putting it out there for the world to critique. Please tell me what you think by posting a review at Amazon.com, even if you don’t buy the book there.

Thank you for spending time with us today, L. R. W. Lee. We wish you much success.



1 comment:

  1. Thank you for hosting L.R.W. Lee today and letting her share about her new book series.

    ReplyDelete

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