A Bard Is Born
by Mary DeSantis
Far, far back, years before now, a young girl no more than the tender age of seven was sat down by her parentages, who delivered to her a message that could (and did) change her life.
“Mary, we’re going to play a game,” they said, for they were wise and learned in the ways of getting their seven-year-old child to pay attention.
“I love games,” Mary said in giddy response. “Is it a card game?”
“No,” said her parents. “It is a fantasy game where you play a character on an adventure who’s part of a story.”
At this news, Mary’s jaw dropped, and her sparkling eyes went wide. A fantasy game? With magic? And wizards? And dragons and treasure and mysteries to solve? “That sounds awesome! What game is this? And how do I play?”
Knowing they had accomplished their mission, her parents began to explain. “It is a role-playing game, and the first thing you must do is decide what kind of character you will be on this adventure…”
Hey, Mary here, and confession time: Despite the story, my first ever RPG character was not a bard. She was a mix of a thief-type (by which I mean built like a thief but who didn’t actually steal things) and a wizard (because she used magic, but in a really vague sort of way). Really, seven-year-old me didn’t actually care how any of it worked. She just cared about pretending she could shoot a bow and turn invisible while romping through a world where dragons were real.
Fast-forward to today, I’ve moved on to play an actual bard (as well as a ranger, rogue, and other cool characters), but the bard has been my favorite, hands down. Bards are all about storytelling, drawing in audiences until they hang on every last word and long for the next performance. As the mastermind behind a bard, I have to give my character the tools she needs to wow audiences and make them come back for more, which requires a level of immersion in the game that’s primed me to dig deep into what makes stories become true experiences for readers.
Mix that with my MFA and 10+ years working with fiction, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. There’s nothing, literally nothing, like getting so lost in a book I forget reality and feel like that story is my new world. If an author can do that for me, I shout about it from the rooftops. I want everyone to read that book.
Similarly, I want everyone to read your book.
In an age where the machines are trying to take over creativity, the world needs as many amazing, immersive books as it can get. Human-told stories aren’t just a bunch of words on a page. They are shared understandings, a chance to give someone else an experience they may otherwise not be able to have. Experiences that leave lasting, vivid memories stick with us long after the final moment. They become ideas to share. That’s what I want your book to be.
At this point, you might be thinking “yeah, you and every other editor/writing coach. What makes you so special?”
Seriously, I’m glad you asked. There is no shortage of coaches and editors who work with fiction, and I realize I might be one of many people you’re considering. So to answer this question, I’m different because my background with role-playing games means I’ve been at the middle of stories and know how to build them from the center out. If you’ll have me, I’ll plop myself into the middle of your concept, figure out what makes it tick, and give you the tools to create an experience that will bring readers back time and again to see where you’re sending them next.
So, if you’re writing or want to write fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, and/or romance for middle-grade readers and up (or work in another fiction genre but have gotten this far and think I’m the writing coach/bard you need), tell me about your story, and let’s get building.
“Mary has beta read two of my books, so I’m a repeat customer. Her comments are thoughtful, incisive, and, most importantly, useful. She’s also quick to respond to follow up questions and is honest with her feedback.”
Steven Saltman, author of Adventures in Radio Astronomy