It’s time for another chat day. It’s Valentine’s Day, so I won’t promise to respond to questions or comments as quickly as I did last month, but I should be able to answer everyone eventually.
Everyone smile, think about unicorn figurines, and let’s get tangled in a great conversation.
Feel free to join any comment thread with questions or comments.
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Categories: Author/Reader Chat
So, I’m writing a nuclear holocaust type of fiction. My best friend is working on it with me, because she is pretty good at keeping details in her head, but I am much better at writing them down. I am just about to pass the eight hundred word mark. You, Lisa Bergren, and Donita K. Paul inspired me. I have read from all of you, and I always wanted to write something of my own. The thing that always struck me the most, however, was the fact that God was always glorified by your writing. It absolutely makes my day when I read things like that. It taught me to make sure that I glorify God in ALL of my work, from writing books to riding horses. Thank you so much.
That sounds like a fun collaboration. Nuclear holocaust? That sounds chilling … or broiling, I suppose. 🙂
Thank you for the kind words. I hope the project works out great.
Is it true that you were offered the part of Dr. Conner in The Candlestone movie by Christian Friends Productions?
I have some memory that they asked me to participate in some way, but I don’t remember the specifics. In any case, I declined because I can’t be away from my work for the amount of time necessary to make a movie.
wait they’re making a movie?? that would be amazing. I’m reading the Echos of the Edge series, I think they’re pretty cool 🙂 and I’ve read alllllll the Dragons in our midst books 😀 you are now my favorite author and I think its really cool how you fit homeschooling into your books, I’m homeschooled so I totally appreciate it ^.^
so my question is 1: besides Billy and Bonnie(because everyone loves them) who is your favorite Character from any of the books and why?
you probably get asked this a lot but I just found out about the chat day so I hope you don’t mind 🙂 also are you coming to Knoxville TN anytime soon? I would love to meet you!
There is no officially licensed move based on any of my books. A group has produced a hobbyist version of Raising Dragons and is now moving on to The Candlestone.
I don’t answer favorites questions well at all, so I will decline answering the question about my favorite characters. Sorry.
I have had events in Knoxville a couple of times, but I have no tour events scheduled anywhere right now. I hope to concentrate on writing for several months.
also have you heard the song “throne” by Remedy drive? it reminds me of the dragons series so much!
No, I have not heard it.
Mr. Davis, what would you say if we needed to get up the courage to talk to people in our class? I’m the only girl in my class;the rest are boys.
First, I would ask what you are afraid of?
I’m scared that the boys will think that a) I’m either flirting with them or b) I’m crazy.
The flirting concern is real. Some boys are lonely, and any attention from a girl might be taken the wrong way.
Yet, we can’t avoid kindness just because people might interpret it wrongly. If they do, just keep being kind.
If someone makes an inappropriate advance, you need to be gentle to deflect gentle advances and firm against stronger advances.
One way to avoid the idea that you’re flirting with a particular boy is to spread your kindness around.
I’m not saying that this will always work. Some boys are aggressive and clueless. But it’s better to be kind than to be a recluse.
If they think you’re crazy, I don’t see a problem with that. Just be crazy. 🙂
Thanks! That helps a lot.
Yep. If they think you are crazy, let them think you are crazy. 🙂 There are more boys I know than girls, and most of them I have known since birth, and I have no doubt everyone thinks I am crazy. lol. I’d rather be crazy than boring.
Yeah, just be yourself. If a boy can’t handle “hello” and casual conversation from a classmate, he has other issues. If they have the guts to actually, ask of you’re flirting, just be truthful: you want friends. You’ll learn a lot by their response (are they cool, or do they get awkward?).
I’ve had a similar experience, with the exception perhaps that I grew up with most of them, of being the sole girl. Pretty much, be yourself. I can’t guarantee there won’t be the occasional joker who comments about the guy friend you’re closest to, but that’s not the class’ business; that’s yours and his.
So now that Omega Dragon is finished, as well as the entire DIOM, OOF, and COB series, what other books do you have in the works? I know of Reapers but was curious to know if you have anything planned for the upcoming future?
As you noted, I am working on a sequel to Reapers. I am also working on The Scent of Her Soul, an adult novel about human trafficking. In addition, I have started a story for middle graders that I hope will turn into a series. The device is super heroes and tech wizardry.
I’ve been reading your Dragons In Our Midst series for a long time now (can’t wait for Omega Dragon!!!), but only recently did I start reading your blog and seeing all the other books you’ve written. I would love to branch out and read some of your other books as well. I’m seventeen and I love reading just about anything, so which book/series would you recommend I start first?
If you like overt spirituality, you might like Dragons of Starlight and Tales of Starlight. If you like dystopian that isn’t overtly Christian, you might like Reapers.
Thank you for the recommendation! Dragons of Starlight and Tales of Starlight look like they are in the same universe, which one comes first?
If you want to read the two series in tandem, here is a reading guide – http://www.daviscrossing.com/msauthorsnote.pdf
Thank you!
Is there any chance you’ll be attending the Realm Makers conference in St. Louis this year?
I have not been invited to speak, so unless something changes, I will not be there.
I think you mentioned a few times that you weren’t big on fantasy before your son James told you about his dream of the fire-breathing boy. Did you have any interest in other kinds of speculative fiction before that? I’m mostly thinking of science fiction; things with spaceships, future society, technology, so on.
Just FYI, I had the dream. My son helped me brainstorm the story from the dream.
No, I wasn’t interested in spec fiction before that time.
Whoops, sorry. I got you two mixed up.
I was curious, as personally I found the genres, as similar as they can be, have different appeals. I liked science fiction as a kid but it took my early teenage years to warm up to fantasy, as I had thought the genre was just forests, castles, people on horseback in armored suits speaking medieval English, nothing that I could relate to or that interested me.
To me, science fiction is a story that could happen if technology developed enough, and fantasy is a story that cannot happen no matter how far technology developed. I think some of the stories about medieval knights aren’t fantasy at all, unless there be dragons.
Speaking of “Unicorns”, where did you get the idea of the Bridgelands and Second Eden? Did they come to mind as you wrote, or did something else trigger the idea?
And the Circles of Seven! How did you come up with all of those different portals and dimensions? I would think it would be complicated to come up with.
On a different note, where did you get the idea for the “Dragons of Starlight” series? I really like the Starlighters’ abilities. [I wish I had them, because then telling stories to my family would be so much easier. 😉 They could see it instead of my trying so hard to describe it.]
You’re my number one favorite author! Thank you for your amazing work! 😀
The Bridgelands and Second Eden came to me as the story developed. Parts of Circles of Seven were inspired by Dante’s Inferno. The seven circles of Hades vs. the nine levels of the inferno. I chose seven instead of nine so I could create parallels to the seven deadly sins.
The Dragons of Starlight series idea started with my daughter Amanda. I invented the Starlighter concept (Koren and Cassabrie) as the story developed.
Thank you for your kinds words.
Very interesting… Now to recall the seven deadly sins. Research time!
Cool!
You’re very welcome. 🙂
Speaking of Circles of Seven, I recall you mentioning that that book is chock full of symbolism. I’ve been curious ever since–what are some of those hidden meanings (aside from the seven deadly sins)?
Tracey, it would take a lot of work to write all of the symbols and their meanings–the dragon at the tree, the fruit, the snakes, the scentsers, the food in the different circles … so many!
I imagine you could write another whole book explaining it all. XD It’s very intriguing! Next time I reread it, I’ll have to keep a sharp eye out. Thanks!
There are so many things to remember when writing, it’s hard to keep it all straight in my head. Thank you very much for giving writing tips on your blog, I am continually learning and hope to eventually write as good as you do. How did you learn so much about how to write?
Experience is an excellent teacher. I have learned a lot simply by writing a lot. The more you practice, the easier it is to remember to employ what you have learned.
I also study the craft. I read books on writing, and I go to writing conferences. I am always trying to improve.
Good writing is hard work, so a writer has to be willing to work hard.
Are there any writing books your would recommend?
Self-editing for Fiction Writers by Browne and King, and Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight Swain
Thanks!
Prayers, please. Tomorrow (Sunday) I’m going to Mexico with 116 other people. We are building 7 houses in a week, and I’m just hoping that everything goes well and nobody gets hurt.
My wife and I prayed for you and your group.
Thank you so much!
Lol. XD That picture.
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