An Author's Journey: Althea Damgaard Guest Post
Happy Valentine’s Day, dear Reader!
I hope it is a lovely day for you. Today I am excited to have Althea Damgaard over to talk about her own journey through the realm of fantasy, first as a reader, and then as an author.
I am doubly pleased, because today is the release day for her second novel: Truth Bearer, which I recently had the privilege of ARC reading. Truth Bearer is the second book in her fantasy series.
Please help me in welcoming her to the blog today!
An Author’s Journey
by
Althea Damgaard
Fantasy is my primary go-to for reading, gaming and writing, despite my devouring of entertainment across multiple genres. My introduction came through JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Since then, I’ve read through hundreds of fantasy books.
Fantasy appeals to me because of the freedom of world creation. You can make up about anything as long as you include something that humans can relate to. I find this easier than having to research history to be sure I don’t put incorrect tech or culture references into my stories. Not that I don’t love history. I just get a cramp in my creative brain dealing with it. Rather humorous considering I’ve had jobs in tech industries since the late 80s and worked in a local history museum.
I prefer stories that have a redemptive arc, and the Light prevails over the Dark. It doesn’t have to be happy-ever-after, but I need to see the characters growing and overcoming internal and external issues in a positive way. The war doesn’t have to be won, but the immediate battles should be resolved enough by the end. It’s even better if the character learns from some mistakes or stumbling. We learn far more from our failures than from our easy successes. The characters must live and breathe on the pages. They must deal with conflicts that cause choices and consequences.
Writing is something I’ve done since I was a kid, despite being a lousy English student. I think my lack luster grades were more about how I was taught because I devoured all sorts of books while in school. It was my senior year when I finally received an A. I told the teacher to ask me some questions when she did not believe I read Grapes of Wrath in one weekend. What else was I going to do on a rainy weekend? Well, I could have done some writing, but I really enjoyed that book even if it wasn’t a fantasy. The only thing I regret is losing the materials of a study by mail sci-fi writing course I did while a junior and senior in high school. I have everything I did course wise since 2005.
I have around twenty different novel ideas I have written since I was thirteen in notebooks, printouts, and digital form. So much reading and practice at writing has gone into my life and continues even now, four decades later. The following picture shows around three quarters of what I have in notebooks and printouts.
I published two flash fictions out of seven attempts with Havok in 2022. Writing a full story that fits in 1000 words or fewer is no easy feat. It helped me learn how to choose my words wisely.
My novel rough drafts are pretty ugly and need considerable polishing when done. I start with a high-level plan, but I let it come out organically through what the characters want to do. Or in some cases, the weather.
The first book I published was Champions of Light in June 2023. The idea was pulled from a book written two-thirds of the way in 2008 that I thought would work well in a contest. I had to finish it, summarize it, and send a polished start. I got first place in the speculative category in 2021, but that wasn’t even close to the end of the editing that book required. It took two years of learning the industry while editing the book to decide to become an indie author. I’m still learning and that is part of the fun.
Champions of Light led me to writing a series. Truth Bearer, book 2 of the Light Series, releases February 14th. The third book, Council of Light, is in process and I’m hoping to have it ready in the fall.
The series follows Rhoanda and Versont on their journey of learning how to have faith in the Light and continue doing so no matter what life throws at them. Champions of Light starts out with both of them running or hiding out from what they should be doing. He is angry at the Lord of Light for his sister’s illness and untimely death at a young age. He is hiding out in the Cathedral of Light under the alias of Sergeant Vern to remain sober and sort himself out. She ran away because she doesn’t want to be a part of an arranged marriage. She counts this as a betrayal by her father, who allowed her freedom to do things her sisters never could.
I found the right ending for Champions of Light, but it required the writing of the next step of the story. I won’t share it here, but if you look at Truth Bearer first, you may guess how Champions of Light ends. It is better to read them in order to enjoy the full story and not miss out on any nuances that roll over.
I would be in deep trouble if I shared nothing about my closest assistants, Jenny and Boots. I turned them into a writer meme because they loved watching the printer when I put Truth Bearer on paper for the last two rounds of editing. They help a great deal by laying across my desk in front of the monitor using my notebooks and papers as a bed.
About the Author
Althea has always loved writing stories and reading since she was a kid. Now disabled with Multiple Sclerosis, she spends most of her time writing, reading and improving her craft. Her go to fiction is fantasy and science fiction, but she will read any story that promises some adventure and the need to overcome. When not doing that, she is spending time with her husband, playing with her cats or playing games.
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Had to use a sword today since it goes really well with one of the main things in Truth Bearer… I mean, the sword is a hint… but you’ll have to read the book to get the reference.
What are your favorite things about Fantasy? What brings you back to the genre over and over again? Have you read Champions of Light?
Quick reminder that Yorien’s Hand is on sale for just 99 cents until Friday! Grab it while the deal’s on!