"The Dancing Dragon" by A. R. Kaufer
It’s Halloween, and what better author interview to present today than A.R. Kaufer’s The Dancing Dragon, which takes place on Halloween and features a parallel world where magic is real.
Rebecca: Tell us what spawned the idea for The Dancing Dragon.
A.R. Kaufer: My debut novel, The Unexpected Queen, is a YA fantasy romance with merpeople and sirens. While it hasn't been a big success, I have a few readers who love it but don't care to read my adult romantasy books. So I wanted to write something for them, something with magic, fantasy, and romance, but it's no-spice and a fun, cozy read.
Rebecca: The Dancing Dragon takes place on Halloween--well, the moment Elle, the main character, ends up in the parallel world is on Halloween. Did Halloween vibes play a role in the world you created?
A.R. Kaufer: The events due start on Halloween night, but for the fantasy world,I drew more inspiration from D&D and fantasy video games I've played.
Rebecca: Since D & D plays a role, did you base any of the characters in the novel off typical fantasy roleplay games? Maybe characters from D & D?
A.R. Kaufer: The characters were based more off people I know in real life. My husband, Kevin, was of course part of the inspiration for the MMC, Kevyn, and I wrote this story as a love letter to him, for being such a wonderful and supportive partner in my writing career.
Rebecca: Many readers will identify with Kevyn, the fae cursed never to find true love. Any other inspiration for his character besides your husband? (It made for a unique love interest..and I have to say that I identified with him too.)
A.R. Kaufer: Parts of him came from me, as well. I grew up, longing for love, seeing everyone so happy with a partner, and I felt like I would never find someone like that. It felt at times as though I were cursed, that I would never have a love like the one I saw in movies or read in books. Then I met Kevin, and everything changed.
Rebecca: I would personally love to see this drawn out as a short-movie anime or manga. Do you have any plans to write more novels set in this universe?
A.R. Kaufer: Not currently in the works, but you never know what the muse might do!
Rebecca: Let’s hope the muse strikes again! I personally want to see more set in this universe. There you have it, world. Check out A.R. Kaufer’s The Dancing Dragon and see what happens when you end up in a parallel universe on Halloween.
Twitter (X): @AutumnK2022