D.J. Dalton - Action-packed, Thrilling and Suspenseful Urban Fantasy

D.J. Dalton enjoys being active and is always looking for the next glorious adventure. From getting her black belt in Tae Kwon Do to joining Wild Garden Bellydance performance troupes Blue Caravan and Black V, or tumbling around in an adult gymnastics class, she looks for physical and mental challenges to grow and enrich her life.

Please give us a short introduction to what Magic Transformed is about.

Magic Transformed is the fourth and final book of the Twisted Curse series. Keren, the protagonist, has grown in maturity and magic use throughout the series. She's faced with difficult decisions and situations to bring resolution and healing to the magical beings of the world.

What inspired you to write about someone who accidentally unleashed a plague among the fox shifters?

In book three, to solve one problem, Keren unwittingly caused the fox shifter plague. In Magic Transformed, she strives to right this wrong.

Tell us more about Keren Stewart. What makes her tick?

Keren, born a normal human, received magical powers through a twisted curse. She's a young adult trying to figure out how magic fits into her world along. She's looking for love and is committed to friends and family.

Besides writing, what other secret skills do you have?

Not really a secret, but I was a competitive artistic rollerskater for several years. After competing, I judged and coached. Through skating, I met some awesome, talented people.

Interesting cover. Please tell us more about how it came about.

Thanks. I wanted the cover to show Keren in motion. I wanted it to depict the chaos around her as she works to save the world.

This is the fourth book in the series. Can it be read as a standalone? How do the other books in the series tie in with this one?

Yes, this can be a standalone. There is enough background to not lose a new reader but not too much as to bore the series reader.

What did you have the most fun with when writing this story?

I had the most fun with writing the mature Keren. She's a risk taker and a true leader.

Do any of your characters ever go off on their own tangent, refusing to do what you had planned for them?

Absolutely, the dragon warlord, Calypso, started as a minor character. But he would have no part of that! He turned out to be one of my favorite personalities.

Balance is an important theme in this story. Why?

With Keren's choices, there are always pros and cons. She has to balance not only her wants but what is best for the greater good.

Did you plan the entire plot out before you started writing, or did some of it just "happen" along the way?

I'm a planner, so I did have a rough outline before I started writing. All the open threads of the series had to be concluded so an outline made sure I didn't leave anything out. I do allow myself tangents when something is unplanned but working.

When starting on a new book, what is the first thing you do?

When I start a new book, I mindmap the characters' traits, powers, and environment. I also mindmap the world. It's a nice reference as I write.

Do you have any interesting writing habits? What is an average writing day like for you?

I work full-time, so I fit in writing as I can. I do write at least five days per week.

What are you working on right now?

I'm working on my new series. The first draft is about halfway completed.

Where can our readers discover more of your work or interact with you?

They can go to https:www/djdalton.com or email me at [email protected]