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Award winning author Diane Mae Robinson has announced two new awards for the two children’s books in the Pen Pieyu Adventures series, ‘Sir Princess Petra’ and ‘Sir Princess Petra’s Talent’
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– See more at: http://www.freepublicitygroup.com/release_diane_robinson_dragons_book_nov_114.html#sthash.235E3QgA.dpuf
Re-blog from No Wasted Ink, interview by Wendy Van Camp http://nowastedink.com/2014/10/22/author-interview-diane-m-robinson/
Diane may be a self-proclaimed delusional fantasy writer, but she takes the craft of writing well seriously. Her goal is to leave something original and fun in the minds of her readers. I think she has hit that goal out of the ballpark with this interview. I’m pleased to welcome Diane to No Wasted Ink.
Hello Wendy and readers of No Wasted Ink. My name is Diane Mae Robinson; I am a children’s fantasy/adventure chapter book author who lives in an out-of-the way magical forest in central Alberta, Canada. Yep, magical forest: gnomes, elves, dragons, castles, all of it. People who know me say I am somewhat delusional—ummm, aren’t all fantasy writers?
Besides being a writer I have other
jobs, which pay for the upkeep of the magical forest: dental office manager, art teacher, and writing instructor. In this magical forest, I live in a small castle-type house, which my husband and I designed and built by ourselves several years ago. The forest is also home to my five horses and four dogs. Through the years living here, I have worked on building many wonderful medieval-type flower gardens and stone pathways, filled with sculptures of magical creatures that I have made. These gardens surrounded by the forest is where I get my inspiration for writing fantasy.
When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing around the age of eight–well after I had learned to read and, by then, had read every children’s book in the small town library—when I decided to make up plays and perform them for the neighborhood kids. The only other volunteer in my plays was my younger sister, which was good and bad—the themes of the plays were medieval; my sister would not act the part of the prince unless she was allowed to wear her cowboy duds. So, as I was the princess being rescued by my handsome prince (aka cowboy), the plays were performed to a live audience of five until a particular day when chaos struck. My prince had a simple task—jump from the roof of the house and rescue me where I was tied to a tree by the evil villain. The prince (aka cowboy) jumped, broke her arm, my mom heard the racket, I was untied by mom, sister went to hospital, sister got home from hospital, I asked her: “Why didn’t you just use your cape?” Mom banned me from ever making up plays again. When sister forgave me, I wrote more plays that she agreed to be the prince (aka cowboy) in. So, what else to do but bring my merry band of play watchers deeper into the forest and out of prying eyes.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I have considered myself a writer ever since I started writing plays at age eight: I write, I create, I am a writer.
Can you share a little about your current book with us?
I am currently working on book three of my fantasy/adventure series, Sir Princess Petra’s Mission–The Pen Pieyu Adventures. Book one, Sir Princess Petra,—The Pen Pieyu Adventures, was published in 2012 and has since won three major book awards. Book two, Sir Princess Petra’s Talent—The Pen Pieyu Adventures, was released in Sept. 2013. I am also working on a grammar book for elementary grades; this book has a medieval theme and the characters from my series are in this book also.
What inspired you to write this book?
I’ve always preferred fantasy stories and movies over all other genres. So, once the characters of this series started invading my head several years ago, they became so real to me that I had no choice but to write about their adventures. Often, I just feel like the writer while they tell me what is going to happen.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I am definitely a character-driven writer over a plot-driven writer. Plot is very important in children’s books, but if kids can feel and see the adventures through my characters. to me, all is won. I have an out-of-the box sense of humor and this comes out in my characters and their situations.
How did you come up with the title of this book?
The characters woke me up in the middle of the night, dictated their names, told me the places, declared their situations, and yes, even forced me on the titles of the books. Does this ever happen to other writers? Just curious.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
The main character of this series, Sir Princess Petra, is a princess whose greatest accomplishment is becoming a knight. She accomplishes this through kindness, understanding, and acceptance of others; all to the dismay of her father, the king, who thinks knights have to be big and mean and nasty.
Are experiences in this book based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
All my characters and situations in the stories are purely fictional—made up in my delusional (or so I’m told) mind.
What authors have most influenced your life? What about them do you find inspiring?
I’ve been reading C.S. Lewis for years. His stories influence me by the way the reader can totally get lost in his fantasy world. Lemony Snicket influences me with his sharp wit and humor, and the bizarre situations of his stories. Both of these writers inspire me to write engaging stories for children that leave a mark, have good values, and are fun to read.
If you had to choose, is there a writer would you consider a mentor? Why?
I think anybody that writes a great story is a mentor because they instill in us, other writers, the need to write well.
Who designed the cover of your book? Why did you select this illustrator?
The cover designer and illustrator, Samantha Kickingbird, was selected by the publisher as she works there. I had no choice in the matter and didn’t see the first illustrations until well into the set-up stages of the books. I couldn’t have asked for a better illustrator for this series.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
As I tell my writing students: If you love to write, learn to write well. Don’t be in a hurry to publish. Re-write and edit, and then do it again and again until you have nearly created perfection before submitting your manuscript to publishers. My first book was rejected 27 times over a 9 year period before I finally received a traditional publishing contract. And my 2nd book was well on it’s way to receiving numerous 5 star reviews before I acquired a literary agent. It takes patience, perseverance, and the art of writing well before you have a book that you can be proud of.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Write from your heart, with passion and imagination, and you will breath life into your stories.
Diane Mae Robinson
From a magical forest, near St. Paul, Alberta, Canada
Diane Mae Robinson
From a magical forest, near St. Paul, Alberta, Canada
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AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
Cover Artist: Samantha Kickingbird
Publisher: Tate Publishing, LLC
AMAZON BOOK ONE
AMAZON BOOK TWO
BARNES & NOBLE BOOK ONE
BARNES & NOBLE BOOK TWO
For more information about Diane Mae Robinson and her multi-award winning dragon books for children: www.dragonsbook.com
A PRINCESS FOR ALL
Sir Princess Petra’s TALENT: Book Two The Pen Pieyu Adventure, 5 *’s
Written by Diane Mae Robinson
This is the second book in The Pen Pieyu adventure series. The author provides a synopsis of Book One to get all readers up to speed though the book can stand on its own. Sir Princess Petra is no ordinary princess; she is spirited, stubborn, sensitive, and devoted to her friends and subjects. In the last book, the reader met a nine year old girl who was determined to become the first knight in her magical kingdom. Petra achieved knighthood by slaying the howling dragon named Snarls in a series of adventures; he later becomes her friend and master connoisseur in the palace kitchen.
At the beginning of Book Two, the king and queen summon Petra informing her that she must go away to the Land of Lost Donkeys to attend training in a Talent School in order to become a “proper princess.” This does not sit well with Petra, but she is an obedient daughter and loyal subject and so she acquiesces to her parents’ request. On her journey she meets Prince Duce Crablips who is secretly betrothed to her, but who would really like to go to school to learn how to crochet. The selection of talents available to Petra at the school are all unappealing, sewing, etiquette and knitting are not her cup of tea. Together with Snarls and Prince Duce, they eventually find a satisfactory course and complete certificates before being forced to make a quick exit. The three compatriots become embroiled in an adventure with the ganutes on their way home to the kingdom. Petra assists all her friends in employing their new found talents; Pen Pieyu attains subjects with new talents in the process. Petra enthralls her parents and her subjects with her new abilities, which I suspect might be the start of a new adventure.
This series is the perfect chapter book for new or reluctant readers. Because I write picture books, I have a definite preference for illustration in children’s books; the black and white pencil drawings in this book are a definite enhancement to the plot. The short length of the chapters are perfect for serial read alouds in the classroom or multiple bedtime stories. Petra is a strong role model for encouraging a young girl’s potential. Her strength of character along with the other rich and humorous characters extend the book’s appeal to boys as well. There is humor, adventure, magic, fantasy and just enough silliness to appeal to children and parents of children from early elementary through middle grades. I anticipate a lot more exciting adventures and lessons in store for Petra’s fans as she matures. Another good chapter book by award-winning author, Diane Mae Robinson. For more information about Diane’s dragon books for children: www.dragonsbook.com
Waiting on reviews is always a scary time for an author. Even though the author has done their best to write an intriguing story, the story has been professionally edited, and the author has lost many sleepless hours pondering over the story, one never knows what the rest of the world thinks until the reviews come in.
Here are a few thoughts from some of the reviewers of book 2 in The Pen Pieyu Adventures series. Sir Princess Petra’s Talent, released Sept. 24, 2013.
Rating: 4 *’s Nikki Bennett, Author and Book Reviewer These are fun, easy to read books for young kids. I love the take on a princess who really wants to be a knight, and the silly things she has to go through. My favorite part of this one was when she had to pick what she was going to study in Talent school. Fun books for your kids! Full review here:http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Petras-Talent-Diane-Robinson/dp/1625106823/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1
Rating: 4 *’s Renee, Mother Daughter Book Reviews Sir Princess Petra’s Talent is precisely everything an early middle grade book should be with a multi-dimensional main character who is a great role model for young girls; a great supporting cast of unique and quirky characters; a plot largely driven through clever dialogue amongst the characters and involving much adventure and folly; and unexpected turns and twists that will leave parents and their children laughing out loud. Full review here: http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/blog-tour-book-review-sir-princess-petras-talent-by-diane-mae-robinson/#comment-20417
Rating: 5 *’s Jaylen Grace, Author I’m not surprised Princess Petra has won her awards. On her adventure she meets wonderfully comic characters like Duce Crablips, the Ganutes and others who had me smiling continuously. It’s a great story and book – and I’m sure children will love it. Full review here: http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Petras-Talent-Diane-Robinson/dp/1625106823/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1
Gina, Insatiable Reader Try something different or out of the norm. You just might discover a talent of your own that makes you shine even brighter. In short, a lovely read for the kiddo’s and readers of all ages. Full review here:http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.ca/2013/09/blog-tour-princess-by-any-other-name.html#.UkK-FoaTjGA
Rating: 5 *’s Chris, The Story Reading Ape In this delightful little tale we learn how Princess Petra becomes a Knight and how she gets her Talent certified. A great story for entertaining kids AND educational without them knowing it! Full review here:http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2013/09/29/meet-the-author-diane-mae-robinson-book-blast/
Sharee Wanner, Sharee’s Sentiments Sir Princess Petra’s Talent is written with brilliant imagination intertwined with wonderful humor! Diane masterfully involves readers as they go exploring the road of adventure with Princess Petra as she travels to Talent School. Along the way she meets new friends, earns a certificate for her talent and then returns home to share her new talent with the entire kingdom. Young and old alike are sure to enjoy every word. Full review here:http://shareessentiments.blogspot.ca/2013/09/sir-princess-petras-talent-by-diane-mae.html
Previously on What People are saying: http://dragonsbook.com/blog/2013/10/26/what-people-are-saying/
For more information about the characters in my dragon books for children and award-winning children’s book , visit the Kid’s page here: http://www.dragonsbook.com/for-kids.html
