TV TIME: Impact Earth (You Tube)

 This was a very good disaster movie. It was not the typical meteor movie. There were layers of interpersonal relationship, compounded by the evil nature of man. Catch it free on You Tube! 

INTERVIEW: High Fantasy Author Dana Alexander

Dana Alexander

Southwest, USA

Good morning, Dana! Welcome to Vision and Verse, the blog dedicated to Art and Authors and those who love them. Can you tell us a little about what you've written? 

A Lara Croft meets Lord of the Rings-style fantasy series, blending what one editorial reviewer called, “Tolkienesque fantasy” with modern-day technology and ancient myth. Fans of strong heroines, love that transcends lifetimes, and a bit of magical realism will be most drawn to this series. 

Sounds wonderful! What is your favorite genre to write? 

Primarily fantasy, but I love to blend that fantasy with other elements for crossover appeal, where I can attend to details without miring a reader in too many of them. This series contains romance, light sci-fi elements, ancient mythology, and a hint of true scientific theory woven into an adventure, a quest to rescue two worlds. 

Favorite food. 

Growing up in the southwest, I tend to prefer authentic Mexican food. But in general, I like to taste various flavors of different cultures. I’ve been gravitating toward vegetarian with the improved flavors.

Tea or coffee? 

Tea throughout the day. But I’ve also come to find comfort in a single cup of espresso from my mini machine each morning.

Pizza or ice cream? 

Actually, I don’t favor either.

Wine or beer? 

It really depends on the venue. I like a crisp ale in the summer but also a dry chardonnay. With an allergy to both, I’m unfortunately limited on my intake of either.

Where would you like to visit? 

Scotland. New Zealand is as far as I’ve really traveled, meeting some of the nicest people. But I’d really like to see Scotland and one of the places I included in book two, Doune Castle.

(I think I could fill a plane with the number of authors I talk to who want to go to Scotland! Hmm...maybe when this is all over?)

Favorite musical artist.  

I like many genres of music, from blues to rock, possibly too many to choose a favorite artist. However, I recently discovered the beautiful Scottish melodies of Loreena McKinnett, that really take a listener to another place.

Do you listen to music when you write?  

I won’t listen to music when I write, but sometimes certain 

songs will inspire details for scenes. 

Like what? 

An example is “Hells Bells” from 

AC/DC that helped the creation of a fight scene develop.

What makes you laugh? 

Believe it or not, my husband. After several years, and I don’t know how, he still manages quick wit and humor to keep things interesting and fun.

He sounds like a keeper, Dana. Favorite work of art or sculpture. 

I like many forms of art, but esp. the highly imaginative creations of Alexander Jansson or illustrative work of Gary Benfield. One of my favorites, though, is the Kuan Yin statue the previous homeowner left us that watches over our Koi pond.

How old were you when you started writing? 

I believe I was about age ten. I’d write all sorts of short stories.

Do you plan out your book with outlines and notecards? Or just write? 

I’m what most writers would call a pantser. I write/fly by the seat of my pants. I have a general idea of the story arc, more detail about the characters, and sometimes even the ending. As I get details I’d like to include, I’ll jot them in a notebook but only refer to it once or twice throughout the entire writing of a novel. I like to let the details of the story flesh out as I write. It’s important to let the muse speak/work through me. In some instances, there have even been occasions where the idea I have will appear in a documentary I stumble upon within a day or two of developing or writing about it.

Describe your perfect evening. 

Oh, to dream! A quiet, dimly lit space, outside or in, with no distractions or deadlines. Perhaps watching the sun set on the beach, toes sunk in the sand, or sitting beside a fire in the mountains with the crisp, clean air and a perfect view of the stars above the treetops.

Where do you get your inspiration? 

I often get inspiration for characters from average people, a look they might have or a mannerism. I created a character in book two from a woman I met at my local drycleaner who had the most beautiful wrinkles (so many) I’d ever seen on one small face.

What do you do when you get a writer's block? 

I try to identify what other area in my life needs attention and clear it. Many authors can write through a block. I will most assuredly cut everything I write if I try to do that. So, it’s best for me not to try to force write in such times.

Who is your favorite author? 

Several authors appeal to me, but Diana Gabaldon writes with such detail and characters that I feel I could know in person that it allows me to connect with the story.

Best book you ever read. 

There are too many to name only one. I have several that as a child inspired me; Where the Red Fern Grows, Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Great Gatsby, The Grapes of Wrath, To Kill a Mockingbird. But I read anything from Margaret Atwood to Marcus Sakey, and even a couple debut authors, if I like the plotline.

Last book you read. “The Cuckoos Calling” by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling)

What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer? 

I’d probably return to Medicare policy and audit.

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?

That’s a tough one, as I’ve had many early influencers in my life, but unfortunately not many that were good. Not by choice per se, but by circumstance. The outcome, as a survivor, taught me strength, compassion, and appreciation for the little things. I’d have to say it’s a tie for one primary person as a positive influence; my son who, despite his challenges, I’m convinced is a wise, old soul in a young body and the absolute kindness of my late father-in-law, who believed it better to leave people happier than they were when you met them.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why? 

J.R.R. Tolkien. I’d want to hear how he was inspired to create his fantastic Middle-earth, the language of the elves and his thoughts on mythopoesis – the art of producing mythology.

What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer? 

The best advice I received; to read everything, even things you don’t like, to see what it is you love and don’t care for about the writing or the constructs of sentences.

Amazon Buy Link for Boxed Set:
https://www.amazon.com/Three-Keys-Books-1-4-ebook/dp/B0896QJ5TV
Individual Book Links: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z9C2RJ4. 

Readers can also find my books at B&N, Apple, Kobo, etc., or even on my website. I also have a free offer for readers who want to "Join My Newsletter" on my website: https://danaalexander.net/ 
 🙂 I do very much appreciate the opportunity you've provided to be listed on your beautiful site. 
Thank you, Dana. It is my pleasure to introduce my audience to such quality writers as yourself!

Do you have some other links for us to follow you?

Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z9C2RJ4

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDanaA/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8312253.Dana_A_Alexander

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorDanaA

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BOOK REVIEW: Goodbye Foxbridge Lane by Anne Shillolo

 

 

NOTE FROM CAROL: Changes Coming to Vision and Verse

Dear Readers, 

     Some changes are coming to Vision and Verse in 

October. They regrettably affect some of our most popular features; Monday Art Posts and Wednesday Interviews. I am still open to them and will gladly post them when I can.

     Times are changing. Podcasts and live interviews are more popular than our old questionnaire with photos that has delighted our readers since 2013. Interviewees found them fun and easy to do. Readers said they were informative and were an avenue to discover new authors. 

     Artists are concerned that sharing their work may lead to unauthorized copying, which is a legitimate problem these days. 

     I will fill those days with book news, excerpts, and book promotions during the months of October and November.

     Vision and Verse will continue to do Christmas for the entire month of December, as we have done in the past.  Christmas is always popular on Vision and Verse.

     In January, we’ll see what’s working and what isn’t, and then go from there. If you have a suggestion or something you’d like to see as a feature on Vision and Verse, please let me know.

     Thank you for your continued support. I appreciate each and every one of you who stop by to see what’s happening here.

     With warm regards, 

     Carol

     

    

    

     

     

    

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SCHEDULE: October 12-16, 2026

  Monday, October 12 - NOTE FROM CAROL:

Changes Coming to Vision and Verse

Tuesday, October 13 - BOOK REVIEW:

Goodbye, Foxbridge Lane

by Anne Shillolo

Wednesday, October 14 - INTERVIEW:

High Fantasy Author:

Dana Alexander 

Thursday, October 15 - TV TIME:

Impact Earth

(You Tube)

Friday, October 16 -  BOOK:

October Masquerade

by Carol Ann Kauffman

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BOOK: Sea Witch by Carol Ann Kauffman

 

Dr. Laura Martin, Chief Extraterrestrial Life Scientist at The Touchstone Institute of Oceanographic Research, noticed troubling but subtle changes in the Atlantic Ocean. 

Before she could make sense of it all, her longtime assistant abruptly walked out. 

Laura hired young, handsome Scott Conner to be her personal assistant. Mayhem ensued, mainly because of Zara, the mermaid/siren/monster in the basement of the Touchstone Institute, who eyed on Scott as her possible mate in a plot for total domination of planet Earth.

“The Touchstone Institute of Oceanographic Research is the most fantastic, exhilarating place on the planet to work. It is high energy, exciting, sometimes maddening, often frightening, heart pounding work. It’s not a job. It’s a lifetime commitment. It gets in your blood. It grabs you by the throat and possesses you, body and soul. And it is work. If you’re not prepared to work your ass off day in and day out, weekends, holidays, your birthday, and your mamma’s birthday, leave now.”

Amazon Buy Link: https://tinyurl.com/y7dkbt5qu

Excerpt:

“Scott? Come!” called Dr. Martin from the stairwell. Scott came bounding up the stairs two at a time, smiling ear to ear.

“Will you look at this guy?” Laura said to Sylvia. “I’ve never even had a dog who came when I called him.”

“Oh, Laura, please be careful. He’s so young and tender. You could mangle him.”

“Don’t worry, Syl, I’m not going to keep him long enough to do him any permanent damage. But I am going to enjoy the hell out of him for next two weeks.  Then I’ll release him back into the real world and give him his freedom. He’s just so, uh, refreshing.”

 

“Yes, Dr. Martin?”

“Scott, I need you to assist Dr. Vanna Johanssen in Operating Room Three. We have an alien-octopus emergency.”

“We have an alien octopus here?” he beamed, wide-eyed and excited.

“No, we have an octopus who ate an alien. Have you ever operated on an octopus who may have swallowed an alien lifeform before?”

“No, Dr. Martin.”

“Then suit up. And don’t forget to adhere your goggles securely. You’ll get wet.”

“Yes, Dr. Martin.” He ran back down the stairs to suit up for surgery.

“I love his enthusiasm.” Laura admired him as he bounced away. 

On hour later, a wet, still smiling, happy Scott emerged from Operating Room Number Three holding a fluorescent Panoptilarius.

“Look at this little guy! Where’d he come from?”

“A small planet is a distant solar system. Panoptila. He’s a Panoptilarius.”

“He’s adorable,” said Scott, playing with the Panoptilarius. “Did you ever play with jacks when you were a kid? I had older sisters who did. This little guy looks just like a big blue glowing jack with an eyeball at the end of each knob.”

“Close. But one knob… isn’t an eyeball.” 

“Oh. I see,” said Scott, examining the elimination knob. “Do we have any more of these guys?”

“Yes. We have a whole tankful of those happy, little fellows. Tank #153. Come on, I’ll show you. We’ll put him with the rest of his family.”

“Come on, little guy. I think I’ll call you Larry. Let’s get you back home, Larry,” Scott petted him. 

“Now, little guy, stay away from the octopus tank, okay? He’s in a bad mood,” Laura said softly. “The Panoptilarius are a psychic species, and they bond very quickly, Scott. He knows you saved him from the octopus’ deep, dark, excruciatingly painful, burning digestive system. You’ve made a friend.”

Scott gently placed him into the seemingly dark and empty tank. As soon as the Panoptilarius got back into his home tank, he was swarmed with happy blinking relatives, jumping and rolling all over each other, squeaking and squealing. Laura and Scott watched them, laughing and enjoying their antics, when suddenly they all stopped and crowded the tank window, looking up at Scott. They nodded at Scott and hummed. Tears rolled down Scott’s cheeks, understanding the Panoptilarius chorus of sincere, humble gratitude. He glanced over at Laura.

“If you ever tell anybody about this,” he pointed to his tears, “I’ll deny it.” He wiped them away with his sleeve.

“Why? It shows that you understand Panoptilarian, and that you’re a kind and gentle soul with a good heart. Those are good things.”

“To us, maybe.”

“Who else counts?” She smiled a big, beautiful smile at him and winked. 

He blushed. He stood a little taller.   

 

They worked late into the night.

“Okay, pack it up, guys. Let’s go home.” 

Scott hung around while the others ran off. “Scott, go home.”

“First, I’m walking you to your car.”

“No. You don’t have to.”

“Yes. I do. I need to know what you’re driving and where you park. Because after tonight, I’ll go get your car and bring it to the door for you when you’re ready to go home.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s late, it’s dark, that parking deck is isolated, you’re tired, and your safety is important to me.”  

They walked to her parking place in silence. 

“Get in. I’ll drop you off. You’re doing your best to wiggle yourself into my good graces, aren’t you?”

“Ahh, you noticed! I live right here, Dr. Martin. Thank you for the ride. Remember to lock your doors. See you in the morning.”

“Good night, Scott. I hope you don’t have nightmares.”

“No chance,” he smiled shyly.

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TV TIME: Jurassic Park: Rebirth (Netflix)

 Once again, the critics hated this film. They complained it was unimaginative and lackluster. What’s the matter with those guys? Don’t they know we only want to be momentarily entertained? Not everything needs to be Oscar-worthy. 

As with the other Jurassic Parks, there was some great cinematography. The story premise was decent, as well as the acting. There were some great scenes. Give it a chance. 

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BOOK REVIEWS: Blue Lake, Time After Time, by Carol Ann Kauffman

 

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BOOK REVIEW: Murder at Blackburn Hall by Sara Rosett

I enjoy all of Sara Rosett’s books. They are well-written, with tight plots, and great characters. Murder at Blackburn Hall is no exceptional. In this 1920s broke-society-lady-turns detective story, Olive Belgrave and her friend Jasper set out to find a missing author. The more Olive digs, the deeper the mystery gets. Olive has all the makings of a great detective. 

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ART: Dutch Artist and Pattern Designer Robin Pieterse

 

Follow Robin at http://robinpieterse.nl and on Instagram. 

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