About the Book

Book: Drandar the Dragon Knight

Author: Terrie Hellard-Brown

Illustrator: Rachelle Brown

Genre: Chapter book for Middle Grade Readers

Release Date: February 12, 2025

Drandar is the dragon that has been prophesied. He will help the king build a strong, safe kingdom as one of his faithful knights. But Drandar doesn’t seem to fit what a knight should be or even what a real dragon should look like. He’s what Seraphina calls a “late bloomer.” Drandar is droopy, discouraged, and doubting. Will he ever become the knight he’s supposed to be?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Empowering families to disciple the next generation every day and everywhere is Terrie Hellard-Brown’s mission. Sparking Everyday Discipleship, the podcast hosted by Terrie Hellard-Brown focuses on discipleship in the 21st Century, great books, and sparking important conversations with our children. Terrie is a writer, speaker, missionary, and mom with a BA in sociology and psychology, an MA in education, and is currently working on her DMin.

Her books include:

• Up, Down, and All Around: A Handbook for Discipling Our Children Based on Deuteronomy 6
• Building Character Through Picture Books: 25 Family Devotions Based on Favorite Picture Books
• A World of Pancakes (a picture book on flexibility and culture and including recipes from around the world)
• Izzy’s Notebook (a picture book about forgiveness, Harper and Izzy, Best Friends Forever Series: Living the One Anothers)
• Drandar the Dragon Knight (chapter book about being who God created us to be).

Terrie creates jewelry, bookmarks, and mini books (décor) with biblical and literature themes. Her writing has appeared in Starlight Magazine, Upper Room, and Inspire Christian Writers Anthologies and blog.

Interview with Terrie

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

In second grade, our teacher had us write a poem. That was the first creative thing I’d ever written, and I knew then I wanted to be a writer. It sparked something inside my heart and mind. It was so fun to be creative in that way. I’ve loved writing since then and thank God he let’s me still do it today.

How long does it take you to write a book?

That’s a great question! Most people think a novel takes a very long time, but a children’s book or chapter book is quick. Not true! From idea to published is usually an average of at least two years, but Drandar was my longest book to write. I originally wrote it as a picture book. I had several Drandar stories written as picture books. But when I had it critiqued by a professional, they said it needed to be a chapter book. I had it critiqued by another professional, and they said the same thing! So, I learned how to write chapter books, and reworked Drandar’s story. It took sixteen years for Drandar the Dragon Knight to be born! And I’m so happy he’s here.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I wrote poetry like crazy when I was really young from second through twelfth grades. I was published in several magazines, anthologies, and other publications during high school and college. My first book was a book of birds. I created a mini book of bird drawings that included probably fifty birds when I was in fifth grade. My first published book was a devotional book I wrote for family and friends about the Father Heart of God and how he parents us. As I was a young mom in my thirties, I noticed how when I would discipline and teach my kids, God would impress on my heart what he was teaching me, and how I was very much like my little children in many ways.

Have you experienced writer’s block, and how do you handle it?

I rarely experience writer’s block because I work to prevent it. First, I keep a list of ideas. In January of each year, I make a list of at least 30 ideas for stories. I add to that often, and I can always look at that list and start writing something. And that is key. I write even if it is truly terrible and I never use that story, I write it down. It’s like keeping a machine well-oiled so it keeps working. Writing badly is still writing and keeps our writing muscle moving. Second, I talk through ideas or a Scripture with my husband or daughter. If I can talk about an idea, I often see if begin to grow into a story, and then I can get it on paper.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I currently have seven books available, but I’ve written at least ten and have had writings included in at least eight other books. I think I’m always most excited about my newest book, but Drandar the Dragon Knight is definitely one of my favorites because I love Drandar so much. He is such a great character who is so far from perfect. He’s learning how to live life, and he has people in his life to encourage and help him find his way. We all need that in our real lives. We all stumble and struggle. We doubt ourselves. And we need a Seraphina who will encourage us and cheer us on as we become the people God created us to be.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

I have a shop and lots of freebies on my website at terriehellardbrown.com. They can find a Drandar page there too with a free Christmas story about Drandar.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

Yes, thank you. I have a Bible study for kids to go along with Drandar. It’s called Discovering the Knight’s Code. It’s available on my website and on Amazon as well as Drandar the Dragon Knight. Also, the second Drandar book should be out next year.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 12

Simple Harvest Reads, September 13 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, September 13

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 14

For Him and My Family, September 15

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 16

Fiction Book Lover, September 17 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, September 18

Stories By Gina, September 19 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, September 20 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain , September 21 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, September 22

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 23 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, September 24 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, September 24

For the Love of Literature, September 25 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Terrie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of the book and Bible study that accompanies the book, three stickers, a dragon velvet bookmark, and an armor of God necklace!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54297