Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Eugene, Oregon where I teach music at Northwest Christian University. My love for children’s literature began when I was about five years old and sat on my mom’s lap as she read me the story of Heidi. I wrote tons of stories when I was in school, but stopped writing as an adult until my son was born. Totally bored during his naptimes, I decided on a whim to join NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and my first book, The Purple Elephant, was born out of that experience. I had so much fun that I just kept on writing. I’ve now published five books for children and five music books and textbooks.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a MG novel set in Mars of the future. The title is Sam and the Dragon: A Medieval Mars Story. It’s been 1000 years since Mars was terraformed and colonized and the civilization has collapsed, leaving people to live in much the same way they lived in medieval days. My story is about a 14-year-old boy named Sam and his 12-year-old cousin Ahni. Sam and Ahni journey through the wilderness of Mars in search of a dragon who has been eating their goats. My book was inspired by the Medieval Mars world created by author Travis Perry. Travis created the world and then invited other authors to write stories for it, which he will be publishing in an anthology in Spring, 2015.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My Duck and Friends early readers are based on characters which my now 10-year-old son made up when he was a toddler. When I brainstorm for a new Duck story, I bounce my ideas off of my son, who invariably has lots of ideas on how I can make it better.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and so I’ve read as much as possible about Laura Ingalls Wilder’s career, which has been my inspiration. Charlotte’s Web is my ideal of what a good children’s chapter book should be and I often read it when I get to the editing process of each manuscript. Recently, I’ve enjoyed Cidney Swanson’s Saving Mars series and have been inspired by her character development and how she keeps the action moving at a whirlwind pace.
What are you working on now?
My next project is to write several more Duck and Friends manuscripts and then begin searching for an agent to represent them.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Using KDP promotions (kindle) on Amazon has been my all-time best tool for getting the word out about my books.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write! Read! And if your first book doesn’t succeed, write another, and another, and another as you keep learning and improving your skills.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get an editor. 🙂
What are you reading now?
I’m reading John Grisham’s MG series: Theodore Boone.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Hollywood picks up Sam and the Dragon and wants to make a movie out of it? Probably not. 🙂 I’m hoping to find an agent and break into the traditional publishing world.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d bring the Bible. Also, the sequel to The Hobbit (also known as The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) and Charlotte’s Web.
Author Websites and Profiles
Donna McFarland Website
Donna McFarland Amazon Profile
Donna McFarland’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile