One thing that inspires me to write is finding magic in the things we take for granted. My entire nature wizard series hinges on the idea that our natural environment is full of wonder we don't truly understand. It doesn't matter if I'm deep in the woods or just taking a short hike up a local trail, I love that "you are small" feeling you get walking somewhere that humankind has minimal impact.
Also, Mother Nature never ceases to amaze. Did you see this earthquake lightning video, taken after the quakes in Mexico last week? Read NPR's explanation of the phenomenon here.
But for my portal fantasy series, I went in the complete opposite direction from the natural world. As a kid, I loved the spectacle of a carnival. It didn't matter if it was the annual county fair, the regional theme park a few hours from my hometown (shout out to anyone who's ever been to Lagoon in Utah!), or Disneyland: something about walking between hulking roller coasters hearing peals of laughter seemed like another world.
The incredible lights at night set the mood too. The Lane County Fair Ferris wheel near sunset, 2019.
As I grew older, I met people who actually worked their college summers at amusement parks. Something about that experience struck me as ripe for a modern day fantasy: a college age student, already struggling to find their place in the world, encounters a strange fae on the job. Weaving in some of my own experience dealing with the isolation and loneliness that comes with leaving home for the first time, I wrote Magic Portal.
Grab the ebook for 99c/p in the US/UK Amazon stores until Sept. 20th.
What everyday place do you think has magic? (And is there anyone reading this who has been to Lagoon, so we can swap stories about riding the Colossus upside down for the first time?) Send me a line at [email protected]. I love reader emails!
More Bookish Thrills for Free or $0.99
The Shadow Prince is a free book about Rowan, an elemental prince. Banished to the mortal world, he doubts he will ever return to Avalon and claim the fire court throne, until he receives a challenge from his estranged mother.
The Cursed Academy Complete Box Set is available for only $0.99. Giselle Bowman never thought she'd be descended from a Greek god...or a monster. Is she ready to learn the terrifying truth about herself and her powers?
Combat Origin is a $0.99 dystopian gamelit adventure. Will Kiriai fight for her dream to battle in the arena? Or will she buckle under her grandfather’s pressure to become a healer?
Until next time, happy adventuring!
-DM Fike
Stories by DM Fike
Available in Ebook, Paperback, and Kindle Unlimited
Magic of Nasci Nature Wizard series
A secret society of wizards live in our national forests, protecting nature against supernatural threats. Ina may command the four elements at her fingertips, but she can’t stop the savage creature leaving corpses along the Oregon coast. Will summoning forbidden lightning defeat her enemy, or will the storm destroy Ina first?
Book 7 coming Fall 2021!
Legends of Llenwald Portal Fantasy series
As Avalon gets pulled toward a secret world where others covet her legendary powers, she must decide whom to trust—an amnesiac fairy, a shapeshifting trickster, or even her former doctor—all of whom may only be exploiting her for their own gain.
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