Gretchen Steen

Griffin’s Quill interviews Gretchen Steen as our second featured author.

About the Author:

Gretchen Steen is a ‘write by the seat of her pants’ author who pours her heart and soul into her work, recalling every detail as if the story manifested into words from her own memories.  The fresh prose stems from feeling, not knowing, her characters as they cope with the adventures she throws at them.  Inspiration she finds in strange and curious

places.  Read on to discover what inspired “Legend of Dragamere”!

When asked what she wanted her readers to know about her, she had this to say:

“Well, let’s see, I started writing when I was in high school. I had one “Composition Writing” class in my sophomore year and that was the extent of my ‘training’. My teacher, Mr. Delzingaro, told me then, that I had real potential and I should go further with my writing. At sixteen, I thought it sounded ridiculous, and quickly forgot about his suggestion. I dabbled with small pieces over the years, but nothing ever came of it.

I am the oldest of three children, grew up in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area, was married for nearly 30 years, now divorced and have two grown children, Justin and Chelsea.  My son is now enrolled in an online college taking up journalism. My daughter is currently in Greenville, South Carolina, working for a printing company.

I began writing again in 2000 when my dragon stories emerged. I am known by family and friends as “the Dragonlady”, not just for my stories, but the year I was born, 1952, is actually a “Year of the Dragon” in the Chinese calendar. Fascinated by all the myths and legends involving dragons, I created my own.”

At Griffin’s Quill, we believe an amazing debt is owed to the teachers who inspire us, and it seems Mr. Delzingaro was on to something.  Chelsey, the main character in “Legend of Dragamere”, jumps off the page with the penning of a truly talented author.  Thank you Mr. Delzingaro and great educators everywhere for believing in us when it matters the most!

Style Sampling:

“Close Encounters of the Worst Kind” by Gretchen Steen

For twenty-five years, I lived in the upstairs apartment of an old country house. The outside door to the enclosed, unfinished stairway was “guarded” by a dusk-to-dawn light, or so I thought. Born the day before Halloween, all the creepy “business” surrounding it was just a part of life. Except for one thing…

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                It was out first summer in the apartment, a warm evening in mid-August. The breeze blowing in the open windows, with no A/C, was our only relief. Sitting, watching the television, we tried to be comfortable. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement in the open window. I got up from my chair and looked closer; again, a fluttering and scratching on the screen. My heart started pounding, “It’s a bat – DO SOMETHING!” I screamed, and ran from the living room to the hall.

“Get out of my way,” my husband yelled, coming out of the room and closing the door. Quickly I went to the dining room and closed myself in. I heard the attic door open, footsteps running up and then back down, and the door slamming. A pause and the living room door opened and closed again.

I couldn’t hear anything, so I moved from the dining room to the closed living room door. Silence for what seemed an eternity…then a blood-curdling screech. “Got you, you son-of-a-bitch!” was all I heard.

Stepping back from the door, it flew open. My heart was in my throat, but standing before me was a sight that instantly turned the situation humorous.

Wrapped in a bed-sheet from head to toe, stood my “brave” husband, wielding an arrow, a smile – and a skewered bat! I laughed ‘til I cried. He disposed of it, I checked the screen. Sure enough – he got it too!!

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                “Come on, Missy, it’s time for bed,” I said to my nine-month-old daughter, as she rolled over and slid down off the sofa. She was almost walking, but still had to hand on to the furniture. She wasn’t talking yet, but made peculiar, odd sounds. SHE KNEW WHAT SHE WAS TRYING TO SAY.

Slowly she stepped sideways to the end table. She stopped and pointed to the milk-glass shade atop my Victorian lamp. “Tssst! Tssst!” she repeated, shaking her head.

“Come on,” I repeated. She shook her head “NO” and repeated her “Tssst, Tssst!” more indignantly.

I walked over, bent down to pick her up and saw what she saw. Quietly, I picked her up, walked into the hall and slammed the door behind me. “We’ve got ANOTHER ONE!” I called, Missy pointing and “Tsssting” bravely.

Again, he came to the “rescue”. He peeks in the door and the damn thing is flying; back and forth below the rotating ceiling fan. He closes the door and informs me “I need something to knock him down.”

I thought ‘good, no arrows this time!’ I heard him rustling in the kitchen cabinets and he returned with my fish-fillet board. I shook my head; he opened the door, entered and slammed it shut.

I listened and so did Missy, her fist in her mouth hiding a smile, eyes bright and saucer-wide.

“It’s behind the clock, but I’ll get him,” he replied.

“Don’t break it!!” I shot back, as it chimed 9 p.m.

Hearing a scuffle, I waited patiently; then pounding on the floor. “It’s clear, I got him!”

Missy and I looked at each other and I slowly opened the door. There he stood, holding a bloody board and a dead bat – in the middle of my RUINED oriental rug.

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                Clearing off the TV trays, I heard my 15 year-old son, J.D., open and close the back door.

“Mom?” he called, as he always did when he came home from his skateboarding adventures.

“Yeah, I’m in here, what’s up?” I replied, my 6’3” lanky teenager greeting me with a hug and a kiss.

“Not much, Matt got messed up trying some crazy stunt, he went home, so…” he replied.

I stepped around him and turned to speak, but he interrupted. “What’s that?” pointing to the hallway. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and turned around. Not seeing anything at first, I exhaled. All of a sudden, there it was…flying back and forth, from corner to corner in the hallway; each pass got closer to the living room doorway. The last pass, it flew in!

“Get down and get out; go get your father!” I yelled and we both hit the floor. On our backs, we watched the bat fly around the ceiling fan, in the opposite direction. Leaving its circular route, it flew corner to corner, back and forth and closer with every pass. We both screamed as it dove toward us. Hearing our screams, my husband walks into the living room. Having switched rooms, this room has NO door.

J.D. and I crept on our bellies out of the room; the bat swooping less than a foot above our heads.

To the rescue again but this time the fold-up TV tray. He swung several times and missed, like a batter and his strikes. “Smart little sucker, this one!” he said, and swung the tray again. This time it connected, with a thud, a screech and a splat – he drove it into the freshly painted white wall.

“OK, got him!” as he put down the tray. Yes he got him alright – dented the metal tray and spoiled the new paint in the process.

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                These were not the only encounters. Very early, in all the years we lived there, I lost track. The dusk-to-dawn light attracted bugs, which drew the bats. The door squeaked when it opened, making the bats dive for it. The enclosed stairway provided good hiding places until the back door into the apartment opened – then “Game On!!”

I still love Halloween and all its trappings – as for the bats, well…to say “I HATE THEM WITH A PASSION” is putting it mildly.

Featured Author Interview:

Griffin’s Quill:  So, what can you tell us about the dragons of Dragamere?

Gretchen Steen:  There are six dragons in “Legend of Dragamere”. Four are unwavering protectors, allies and servants to their masters (the main characters), one, is a nobleman cursed to a dual existence of man/dragon by an evil, spurned wizard. He, Lord Naguum, is the father of the “Dragonchild”, which was my first book and the story leading up to “Legend of Dragamere”. Dragamere is actually the castle. And the final dragon, the evil one, is the alter ego (or sorts) to the evil wizard Moorlange.

The story is very involved, and my current rewrite is condensing 3 books into 2. “Legend of Dragamere” was originally book 2, “The Mystery of Dragon Hall”.  “Dragonchild” was book 1 and “Dragon Blood” book 3. In my current rewrite I am transforming 1 and 3 into a sequel/prequel, “Blood of Dragamere”.  Blood of Dragamere picks up where “Legend” leaves off and goes into the future some 20 years. Chelsey has a daughter and to give her background on her “heritage”, she “reads” the original story to her.

Griffin’s Quill:  When prompted for more details, Gretchen provided us with this quote:

“Dragon:  Ancient and ageless, mythical symbol of absolute power—majesty of blazing strength and aged wisdom harnessed in perfect balance.  Fearless and decisive, it moves with bold, confident steps. Its image stirs the imagination and leaves us humbled and in awe until we accept the wisdom that it dwells within each of us.  It is the part of the human spirit that never falters, never fails.”  ~Anonymous.

Griffin’s Quill:  It sounds like you have a solid understanding of the subject matter, and the possibility the reader will discover something new is very alluring.  Many authors, myself included, seemed plagued by a major rewrite or reordering of their story.  Condensing feels like cutting out a piece of flesh with every deletion.  I think I’d rather face one of your dragons with a dull sword!  Do you see anything of yourself in your characters?  Family members or friends?

Gretchen Steen:  Yes, many of the characters were fashioned after people I knew in my life as well as myself. Some of the traits are real, while others are “what could have been”, an enhancement of their personalities if only they would “put themselves out”, if you know what I mean. To try things they’d never done, be who they should have been . . .

The main character, Chelsey, is headstrong and knows what she wants . . . which not until now do I realize that my daughter is that type of person, and her name is “Chelsea”.

The evil wizard, is fashioned after my ex………enough said.

The whole adventure and mystery of solving the curse and time-travel are things I myself have always found fascinating.

I did very little research, except for the old time format and the tarot, which appears later in the book. Those I was unfamiliar with when I began the story.

There are many scenes that grew out of “objects” that surrounded me in my computer room. While I would sit at the comp, thinking about the storylines, different things I looked at would be incorporated into the story. There was never a specific “outline” to follow, most of what I wrote came from dreams while asleep and daydreams while awake. I could “see” the events play out like a movie, that would replay over and over until all the details were clear, then I would write it. A very strange way to be an author. I saw the ending months before I wrote it.

Griffin’s Quill:  Not so strange.  I imagine you giggle every time something nasty happens to your antagonist.  Closure and creativity all in one package.  Where would we usually find you clicking away?  Is there some place you prefer to write?  Some way?

Gretchen Steen:  Where do I write? In a small room just big enough for a computer desk and filing cabinet and my desktop computer (I thought maybe I wanted a laptop, but can’t get used to the keyboard and mouse)…with included headphones and Windows Media Player full of 60′s classic rock, 70′s and 80′s rock and heavy metal and a little bit of the “old masters” thrown in. I was a “child of the 60′s” and music keeps me going. The music blocks out the “outside world” noise that can ruin concentration.

I don’t jot down notes for future scenes, they would get lost in the shuffle or “what did I mean by that?” not remembering what my thought was when it was written down. All the writing is fresh, immediate thoughts.

While I was writing the beginning of “Legend”, we took a trip to Long Island, N.Y. The passage where Chelsey is on her way to the airport, the details were notes I had taken on that trip, for accuracy.

The rest of the story was “made up”

Griffin’s Quill:  I’m a note taker myself.  Each character, place, and thing categorized and recorded. It’s maddening but I’d be lost otherwise, doomed to duplication, enslaved by my manuscript to search out the details of what she looks like or where he’s from.  Have you always been drawn to fantasy? Any plans of breaking out? Romantic thriller perhaps?

Gretchen Steen:  Always loved fantasy, the “what if it is possible” scenario drew me in. I did do a type of “break out” with my book “Dreams Nightmares Visions” which is a collection of short stories and not-so-poetic poems that I wrote over the past 10 years.

I wrote one flash fiction for horror month that was inspired by an “angry TV moment”…which has been floating around in my head since I wrote it. It’s not a romantic thriller, just a thriller based on FF “What is to come?” . . . what our world could possibly become if all the conspiracy theories are correct.

Griffin’s Quill:  I guess “Romancing the Dragon” will have to wait.

Gretchen Steen:  Ummmm . . . . YES!

Griffin’s Quill:  After she stopped laughing, we asked our next question:  Who would you say writes like you?

Gretchen Steen:  Who writes like me? Shouldn’t that be the other way around? Who do “I” write like? I’m not sure, although my favorite is Stephen King. J.K. Rowling maybe (but certainly not in her “class”). I guess, to be accurate, I write as ‘myself’, my own style to add to the variety of fantasy writers we now know.

I’m a “nobody” right now, who’s created an intriguing story that might attract someone’s attention in the future. I don’t expect anything more.

Griffin’s Quill:  Just checking your modesty levels. They’re healthy.

Gretchen Steen:  OK, I don’t have my head in the clouds, and I’m just like everyone else out there, down-to-earth. When I worked at the convenience store and they found out I had written numerous books, they stood in awe…and then after they read them it was…”You’re a ‘somebody’, why are you working here?”…my response, after laughing at their question, was always, “I’m just like you, trying to make a living”.

Griffin’s Quill:  Is there an underlying message in your writing, a theme you express?

Gretchen Steen:  No underlying message, just this . . . what my father always told me “you can do anything, all you have to do is try, and you will surprise yourself with what you can accomplish”. Other than Mr. “D”, he was my biggest inspiration, and he didn’t live to see “what I was capable of”.

Throw yourself wholeheartedly into what you believe in, it’s well worth the effort. I don’t expect to become rich, just having a book, in my hands and saying “I DID THIS” is enough for me. I set out to write a story, which my ‘ex’ told me I wasn’t ‘smart enough’ to do…my ultimate goal was to prove him wrong.

Griffin’s Quill:  Your father sounds like a wise man.  Good advice for anyone.  What do you find most challenging about writing?  Is there a trade tool that you rely on more than any other to meet such challenges?

Gretchen Steen:  Most challenging? Being a self-published author is difficult. Not having representation to further your efforts. Hoping that what you’ve accomplished is good enough . . . but you don’t give up!

A trade tool? All the formats and websites available for little or no cost . . . Smashwords.com, to upload your work, for absolutely nothing, and be made available through so many applications. To Lulu.com, for the ease of creating finished books, of bookstore quality, for a minimal cost (the authors cost is less than the retail cost listed on the site), their “wizards” (are) clean and easy to use. It is possible to get your work out there, but with self-publication, the promotion falls on the author, the only benefit I see to traditional publishing.

Griffin’s Quill:  If you were the Time Traveler in the 2002 movie adaptation of “The Time Machine,” what two books would you carry with you into the future?

Gretchen Steen:  First, and really the only “book” that matters, the Bible, it should be everyone’s guiding light, and “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien simply for the epic fantasy he created.

Griffin’s Quill:  Great choices.  The Bible is one of my own.  What advice do you have for undiscovered authors out there?

Gretchen Steen:  Don’t ever give up, the time and effort and sheer “love” you have for what you have created is worth being recognized, and someday, the right person will pick it up, and from there . . . the sky’s the limit.