Donna Sundblad | Updates

I Am a Writer

Donna Sundblad — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This week wasn't exactly productive.

In fact, I spent a good part of it worrying about an interview. Not writing. Not creating. Worrying.

Imposter syndrome had me firmly in its grip. That nagging little voice kept asking questions I didn't want to answer. What if I don't have anything interesting to say? What if I sound like I don't belong? What if people think I'm not really a writer?

And then came the interview.

Yesterday, I sat down with Robert Batista, host of The Funky Writer, for an audio interview. I was nervous going in, but Robert has a wonderful way of putting people at ease. He's down-to-earth, easy to talk to, and before long, I forgot I was supposed to be nervous.

I was just talking.

We talked about writing, books, and the journey that brought me here. And somewhere along the way, something shifted.

I had a blast.

By the time the interview was over, I felt almost euphoric. And today? My creativity is flowing again.

Ideas are popping into my head. Words are coming. I want to write.

And that little voice that spent the week telling me I didn't belong? It's much quieter today. Maybe that's because I finally remembered something important:

I am a writer.

Not because I always write every day. Not because I never doubt myself. Not because every writing session produces something wonderful. I'm a writer because I write. Because stories live in my head and insist on being told. Because creating worlds and characters has become part of who I am.

And apparently, sometimes I need to step outside my comfort zone and talk about that journey out loud to remember it.

So, thank you, Robert, for making the experience so much fun. What started as something I was dreading turned into something I genuinely enjoyed—and maybe even gave my creativity the nudge it needed.

The interview is coming soon, and I'll share it when it's available.

In the meantime, I'm going to take advantage of this creative flow.

Because I have stories to write.

I am a writer.

]]>

Upcoming Interview on the Funky Writer

Donna Sundblad — Mon, 7 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Stepping outside my comfort zone this week! 🎙️

I’ll be interviewed on The Funky Writer with host Robert Batista. Interviews aren’t exactly my favorite thing, but I’ve learned that once I start talking, I’m usually just fine. 😄

And Robert is so down-to-earth, I’m sure he’ll make it easy to relax and have a good conversation.

I’m looking forward to sharing a little about my books, writing journey, and what goes on behind the stories. Stay tuned for the interview! 📚✨

Stay tuned.

#funkywriter #authorinterview

]]>

Beyond the Fifth Gate — Now Just $0.99!

Donna Sundblad — Fri, 4 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Looking for your next fantasy adventure? Beyond the Fifth Gate is on sale for just $0.99 during Kobo’s September Weekend Sale!

Sale runs September 3–9, 2026 on Kobo US & Canada.
Get Beyond the Fifth Gate for $0.99 on Kobo

#beyondthefifthgate #fantasybookrecs #FantasyAdventure #booksale #99centstore

]]>

An Interview About The Inheritance

Donna Sundblad — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Every book has a story behind the story.

With The Inheritance, that story includes questions about faith, truth, courage, and what it means to follow the path set before you—even when you don't have all the answers.

I recently had the opportunity to talk about The Inheritance in an interview with Peter Okonkwo Literature. We talked about the inspiration behind the book, the themes woven into the story, and what I hope readers—especially young readers, families, and those who enjoy clean fantasy—will take away from it.

The Inheritance is a standalone fantasy with a deeper purpose beneath its adventure. While it takes readers into another world, at its heart is a story about seeking truth and discovering that sometimes the answers we need aren't the ones we expected to find.

I’m always grateful for opportunities to talk about the stories behind my books, because writing a novel is only part of the journey. Once a book reaches readers, it becomes part of their journey, too.

If you’d like to learn more about The Inheritance, what inspired me to write it, and some of the thoughts behind the story, you can read the full interview here:

[Read the interview: Donna Sundblad on The Inheritance]

Thank you to Peter Okonkwo Literature for inviting me to share a little about this book and the journey behind it. I hope you'll stop by and take a look!

]]>

New Interview: The Story Behind The Inheritance

Donna Sundblad — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I’m excited to share a new interview about The Inheritance with Peter Okonkwo Literature.

The Inheritance was the first book I wrote, and it is also one of my most personal. The story grew out of my own journey of questioning what I had been taught, searching Scripture for myself, and learning to distinguish truth from human tradition.

In the interview, I talk about:

What inspired me to write The Inheritance
Jejune and his unusual companion, Wigglewot
The River of Tradition and the Narrow Way
Why I chose to tell the story as an allegory
How danger, temptation, and grace work together
Why I wanted the story to encourage readers to think about what they believe and why they believe it

At its heart, The Inheritance is a coming-of-age journey as Jejune searches for Truth—and discovers that the road to the Eternal City isn't necessarily the road everyone tells him to take.

To reach the Eternal City, you must travel the narrow way.

Read it here: Donna Sundblad on The Inheritance

]]>

Donna Sundblad — Fri, 7 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Good stories don't come with an age limit. Sometimes I forget my books are shelved as YA... Most of my readers are not. Turns out dragons, found family, hope, and cozy fantasy have no age limit. #CozyFantasy #FantasyBooks #BookTwitter #BookX #DragonBooks #Readers

]]>

Cozy Fantasy. Is that a thing?

Donna Sundblad — Sat, 1 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I thought about how much I enjoy reading cozy mysteries and the thought struck me. Is there such a thing as a cozy fantasy? My fantasies are considered YA because of the things I don't put in them, and I smiled. My fantasies are cozy fantasies. I wonder if there is such a thing.

I looked it up and yes—cozy fantasy is absolutely a thing, though it’s a newer and somewhat loosely defined subgenre compared to cozy mysteries.

I might describe Dragon’s Oath as:

“Epic fantasy adventure with a cozy heart.”

Or:

“A dragon-filled epic fantasy where friendship, courage, and hope are the strongest magic.”

Actually, I think this realization could be valuable for reaching my readers... Because readers who love cozy fantasy also love:

magical creatures,
safe-but-wondrous worlds,
loyal companions,
found family,
hopeful endings.

My series may sit in an interesting middle space: cozy epic fantasy or hopeful epic fantasy—where the stakes are enormous, but the emotional experience is comforting.

Cozy mysteries are often about restoring order: someone disrupts a community, and the detective brings truth and justice back. Dragon’s Oath does something similar on a much larger scale: darkness disrupts the balance of the world, and my characters work to restore harmony.

In fact, this might actually be one of the underlying threads connecting all my books—the belief that good can uncover the truth and restore what was broken.

]]>

Check Out My Latest Read

Donna Sundblad — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In the darkest corner of Hell, mercy becomes the most dangerous power of all.

The God of Nazi‑Land Part 1: The Führer’s Master is a dark, thoughtful, and completely unique WWII‑adjacent speculative novel set entirely in Hell. Hoffman’s worldbuilding is unsettling and deeply researched, and the way she blends historical detail with a paranormal afterlife gives the story real emotional weight. The Germans are stripped of their free will as part of their contract, which adds a disturbing and thought‑provoking layer to the narrative. The child Master, 613, is unforgettable. Her innocence and quiet authority create moments of unexpected hope in a setting built on consequence and accountability. As Part 1, the ending left me eager for the next installment.

You can check out the full review at BookHookup.

#bookreview #bookrecommendation #next

]]>

Behind the Scenes: Who is my writing buddy?

Donna Sundblad — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

My writing buddies are Cali, my rescue cat, and Lemon Drop, my cockatiel that I've raised since the day she hatched. Keeping them both happy is a bit of a juggling act since they don't share the office at the same time. Cali prefers a quiet to lie beside me doing keyboard supervision, while Lemon Drop is convinced every writing session should include watching what I'm doing from my shoulder as she preens and even naps. Somehow, between the two of them, the stories still get written.

]]>

The Difference Between Writing a Novel and Writing a Blog

Donna Sundblad — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

People often think writing a blog is easier than writing a novel. Is it?

Well... yes. And no.

A blog post might be 800 words. A novel might be 100,000 words. The word count is certainly different, but both require time, creativity, and plenty of editing.

For example...

Novel: Spend 100,000 words introducing a dragon, building a world, creating a villain, and saving the kingdom.

Blog: Explain why dragons fascinate us—in 800 words.

Both somehow take all day, thought I admit, the novel takes many more "all day" efforts.

Or this...

Novel: Rewrite Chapter 27 because one character made a decision that changes the ending.

Blog: Rewrite the opening paragraph five times because it just doesn't sound right.

Different challenge. Same writer.

Writing a novel is like taking readers on a cross-country journey. Writing a blog is like inviting them over for coffee. One is a long adventure. The other is a conversation.

I enjoy both.

The novels let me build worlds like Dragon's Oath or travel back to 1860s Wyoming with Laramie Hearts. My blog gives me a place to share the research, the writing journey, book reviews, and the little moments behind the scenes.

Whether it's 800 words or 100,000, every piece begins the same way—with a blank page and the hope that the story, or the idea, is worth sharing.

]]>

Donna Sundblad — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I know I’ve been a little scarce on social media lately… but there’s a good reason. Life has been full, and I’ve been writing. It really is a balancing act and at times social media takes on less priority when I have to get a book written.

I’ve added about 5,000 words to Rise of the Variel and completed another chapter in Rekindled Hearts. Rise of the Variel is now moving into that exciting final quarter of the first draft. Several of the big scenes I’ve been building toward are finally coming together, and I’m starting to see that first-draft finish line. My goal is still the end of July—fingers crossed! 🤞

Of course, writing isn’t the only thing filling my days. I’ve been enjoying three Bible studies a week with different groups, time with neighbors and family, and keeping up with the never-ending list of things around the house.

I’ve also moved my daily walk to the morning for now to beat Georgia’s sultry summer heat. The only challenge? I’m a morning person, and mornings are usually my favorite writing time! So I’m adjusting my schedule and finding a new rhythm because those cooler walks are worth it.

Sometimes the creative process is about more than sitting at the keyboard. Life, conversations, quiet moments, and even a change in routine all find their way into the stories.

Back to writing… the dragons are calling, and the ranch is waiting. 🐉🤎

]]>

A Week of Stories

Donna Sundblad — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Author update ✍️📚

It’s been a week of stories!

On the writing side:

🐉 Finished 3 more scenes in Rise of the Variel

🤠 Crafted another chapter in Book 2 of my Laramie Historical Western Romance series

On the reading side, I finished a couple of books worth reading:

📖 Severance — a chilling dystopian thriller where emotions are regulated.

📖 Amanda Cadabra and the Twilight Toxin — a cozy, clever mystery with heart.

Writing, reading, and discovering new stories… that’s what keeps the imagination alive. ✨

]]>

Apparently, writing about time travel has its hazards… 😂

Donna Sundblad — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Apparently, writing about time travel has its hazards… 😂

My latest Imagination in Ink newsletter went out today, and I discovered my own little “Tear in Time.” The newsletter accidentally jumped ahead, calling it the July Newsletter — but this is actually:

✨ Volume 6 — June Newsletter ✨

(Proof that even authors who write about time travel can occasionally get their dates tangled!)

The good news? The Goldenhorn Dragon Clan File — the Sentinels of the Midlands — arrived right on schedule. 🐉

Thanks for joining me on these adventures through time, worlds, and imagination!

— Donna

]]>

Writing update!

Donna Sundblad — Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I'm deep into the final quarter of the first draft of Rise of the Variel, and it's starting to feel real.

Several of the major scenes are now written—moments I've been building toward for a long time. There's still plenty of writing, editing, revising, and polishing ahead, but for the first time I can clearly see the finish line of Draft One.

My goal is to have the first draft completed by the end of July and ready for editing.

No promises—writing has a way of surprising me—but that's the target. 🤞

For now, I'm enjoying that exciting stage where story threads are beginning to converge, long-planned reveals are finally making it onto the page, and characters are making choices that will shape everything that follows.

Back to writing. The dragons... And the Variel are waiting. 🐉

]]>

When “Hobnobbing” Turns Into Tea and Biscuits

Donna Sundblad — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

One of the things I love most about reading British authors is stumbling across words and cultural references that send me down fascinating little rabbit trails. This week’s discovery? Hobnobs.

As an American reader, I’ve always known the word hobnob as a verb. You know—the act of mingling socially, usually with important or influential people.

“She spent the evening hobnobbing with celebrities.”

Simple enough.

So imagine my curiosity when characters in a British novel, The Twilight Toxin: A humorous British cozy mystery, were happily eating Hobnobs and apparently enjoying them immensely.

Naturally, I had to investigate.

Turns out, Hobnobs are a beloved British biscuit made by McVitie’s. (And yes, in the UK, a “biscuit” is what Americans would call a cookie.) From my research, they’re "crunchy oat biscuits somewhere between an oatmeal cookie, a digestive biscuit, and a flapjack." From everything I’ve read, they’re especially prized because they hold together well when dunked into tea or coffee, apparently a very important qualification in British snack culture.

There’s also a chocolate-covered version that seems to inspire near-universal devotion.

But what amused me most was learning that the biscuit’s name was intentionally tied to the social meaning of hobnob.

The word itself dates back to the 16th century and originally meant something closer to “have or have not.” Later, it evolved into a drinking expression associated with toasting and buying rounds together before eventually taking on its modern meaning of friendly socializing and mingling.

McVitie’s apparently leaned into that idea when naming the biscuit, a snack meant to be shared over conversation, tea, and companionship.

So now I’ve learned something new:

In Britain, hobnobbing may involve actual Hobnobs.

Honestly, this is one of the reasons I enjoy reading internationally. Stories don’t just introduce us to new characters; they quietly open doors into language, traditions, food, and everyday life we might never encounter otherwise.

And now I kind of want to try a chocolate Hobnob with a cup of tea.

]]>

Readers Discovering Shadowalkers

Donna Sundblad — Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

There’s nothing quite like hearing from readers after they step into the world of Dragon's Oath, especially when they connect with the dragons, the layered timelines, and the mysteries hidden within the Labyrinth of Times.

My latest 5-star review of Shadowalkers especially stood out to me because it captured several of the elements that are central to the story:

“The dragons in this story are sentient…” “The story is fast paced…” “This tale is told through time travel and it is told masterfully.”

What encouraged me most was hearing that even a reader who hadn’t started with Book 1 was still able to follow the story and understand the backstory naturally. I try to do that with all my books. Building a world that feels deep and interconnected while remaining accessible to new readers has always been important to me.

The dragons of the Dragon’s Oath world are more than creatures of legend—they are guardians tied to time itself, each carrying their own purpose within the unfolding conflict. In Shadowalkers, the tension surrounding fractured timelines, hidden agendas, and dangerous choices continues to grow as the stakes rise for both dragons and humans alike.

I’m incredibly grateful for every reader who takes the journey into the Dragon's Oath with me. Your reviews, recommendations, and encouragement truly help keep this series growing.

If you’ve read, thank you for being part of the adventure—and if you haven’t yet entered the Labyrinth… the dragons are waiting.

— Donna Sundblad

]]>

🐉 May Newsletter Preview: Thornose Dragons Revealed

Donna Sundblad — Tue, 5 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The next edition of Imagination in Ink is taking shape, and this month I’m opening the door a little wider into the Dragon’s Oath world.

If you’ve been following the series, you know the dragons are more than creatures of power. They are part of a much larger design. This May, I’m sharing an exclusive Clan File focused on one of the most intriguing groups:

🐉 Thornose Dragons

Guardians of the Labyrinth. Keepers of emotion. Watchers of what lies ahead.

This behind-the-scenes feature dives into their role, their abilities, and the deeper purpose they serve in the unfolding strategy against the Darkmore Evil. It’s the kind of lore that doesn’t always make it onto the page — but shapes everything that does.

As always, Imagination in Ink goes out just once a month on the 15th and includes exclusive content, writing updates, and occasional extras for readers who want to go deeper into the story.

📬 Not on the Reader List yet?

👉Subscribe

Step further into the Dragon’s Oath world — there’s always more beneath the surface.

]]>

My Cat Cali Is Now Part of the Writing Process (Send Help)

Donna Sundblad — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Writing can get intense—especially when you’re deep in a first draft and trying to bring multiple plot threads together.

Lately, that’s exactly where I’ve been with Rise of the Variel. I’ve identified several key scenes that need to be written and strengthened, and while I know what needs to be done… actually sitting down to do it is another story.

Apparently, my cat Cali has noticed.

Somewhere along the way, she decided she was now part of the writing process. Whether that means sitting directly on the keyboard, staring at me like I’ve made questionable life choices, or appearing the moment I try to focus—she’s made her role very clear.

She supervises. I write.

Or at least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.

To make things more interesting (and a little more fun), I’ve started turning some of these moments into writing-related memes—because if you can’t laugh at the process, you’re probably taking it too seriously.

Cali, of course, has opinions about all of it.

And honestly? She’s not always wrong.

Between working through scenes, fixing what needs fixing, and trying not to get completely sidetracked, I’m making progress—one scene at a time.

With supervision.

Lots of supervision.

]]>

Writing Update: Progress on Rise of the Variel

Donna Sundblad — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I’ve now drafted Chapter 30 of Rise of the Variel, and the story is reaching a point where several plot threads are beginning to converge.

As I move forward, I’m taking a closer look at some key strategic scenes—moments that will need a bit more development to fully support what’s coming next.

It’s one of those stages in the writing process where the pieces are all there, but refining how they connect will make the difference between a story that works… and one that truly holds together.

I’m still deep in the first draft, but getting closer to a complete story—and that’s an exciting place to be.

I share more behind-the-scenes progress and story insights with my newsletter readers, including how these moments evolve as the draft comes together.

]]>

Question of the week: What Was I Like as a Child?

Donna Sundblad — Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

As a child, I was a mix of independence and quiet fear; the oldest of seven kids. I loved being outdoors—climbing trees, exploring, and spending time with animals—but I also carried a cautious awareness of the world around me. I wasn’t reckless, but I was curious, always drawn to what might be just beyond reach.

I was also a storyteller. I'd make up episodic tales of animals that lived on the moon to entertain my siblings on the long car rides to visit my grandparents each weekend. My grandmother used to say my overactive imagination would one day get me into trouble. She wasn’t entirely wrong. My mind was always busy, turning ordinary moments into something more—stories forming before I even knew what to do with them.

Growing up in the 1950s, life centered around family and simple pleasures. There was freedom in those days—room to roam, to imagine, to climb a little higher and see a little farther. At the same time, that thread of caution stayed with me, a quiet balance to my curiosity.

Looking back, I can see how those early years shaped me. The independence, the imagination, the love of the outdoors—and yes, even the fear—have all found their way into the stories I write today.

]]>