KRYSTEN LINDSAY HAGER
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​How Writing This Book Kept Me Sane by Darlene Foster

1/26/2017

15 Comments

 
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How Writing This Book Kept Me Sane
By Darlene Foster
The latest adventure in the Amanda Travels series, Amanda on The Danube – The Sounds of Music was released October 1, 2016. In this book, Amanda Ross finds herself on an elegant riverboat with her bestie, Leah, cruising down the beautiful Danube, passing medieval castles, luscious green valleys and charming villages. When she is entrusted with a valuable violin by a young, homeless musician during a stop in Germany, a mean boy immediately attempts to take it from her. Back on their cruise, Amanda struggles to keep the precious violin safe for the poor prodigy. Along the way, she encounters a mysterious monk, a Santa Claus look-alike, and the same nasty boy. Follow Amanda down the Danube, through Germany, Austria and Hungary, as she enjoys the enchanting sounds of music everywhere she goes. She remains on the lookout, wondering just who she can trust.

A question I am often asked is where I get ideas for my books.  In this case, I was fortunate to go on a fabulous river cruise down the Danube with my hubby and some good friends four years ago. We had a fabulous time and everywhere we visited I thought, Amanda would love this place. I took notes and tons of pictures. For a writer, your characters are always on your mind and you never really take a holiday from writing. I had just published Amanda in England and was working on Amanda in Alberta at the time.

When I eventually started to write Amanda on the Danube, I was in the midst of a huge transition in my life. I had just retired from my day job after 48 years of working. Then my husband and I sold, gave away and threw out seventy-five percent of our belongings, packed the rest and moved to Spain to start a new life. I couldn´t see how I would manage to get any writing time in and I was sure I had forgotten most of my trip. But I managed to sneak in some writing whenever I had a few spare minutes, as writers do. Thankfully I had my photographs and journal entries to remind myself of the exciting places I wanted to write about. The rest of the adventure just came to me as I wrote.
Somehow, and I´m still not sure how, I completed Amanda on the Danube, three years after my trip. I honestly feel that writing the story helped relieve the stress of moving and reconstructing my life. I guess I can thank Amanda for keeping me sane. 
​
I hope everyone enjoys travelling with Amanda. This is what mother/daughter reader had to say:
"A mysterious travel adventure with a brave, inquisitive, compassionate heroine. This is a fast-paced, fun read! Amanda will take you on a wonderful, visual, descriptive adventure." —PJ Sarah Collins, author, Sam & Nate and Elena Collins
 
Social Media links
Buy the book https://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Danube-Sounds-Darlene-Foster/dp/1771681020/
Amazon author page https://www.amazon.com/DarleneFoster/e/B003XGQPHA/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
Goodreads author page
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3156908.Darlene_Foster
Website  http://www.darlenefoster.ca
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DarleneFosterWriter/
Twitter https://twitter.com/supermegawoman

BLURB: Twelve year old Amanda Ross finds herself on an elegant riverboat with her bestie, Leah, cruising down the beautiful Danube, passing medieval castles, luscious green valleys and charming villages. When she is entrusted with a valuable violin by a young, homeless musician during a stop in Germany, a mean boy immediately tries to take it from her. Back on their cruise, Amanda struggles to keep the precious violin safe for the poor prodigy. Along the way, she meets a mysterious monk, a Santa Claus look-alike, and the same nasty boy. Follow Amanda down the Danube, through Germany, Austria and Hungary, as she enjoys the enchanting sounds of music everywhere she goes. She remains on the lookout though, wondering just who she can trust.

AUTHOR: Brought up on a ranch in southern Alberta, Darlene Foster dreamt of writing, travelling the world and meeting interesting people. She also believes everyone is capable of making their dreams come true. It’s no surprise that she’s now the award-winning author of a children's adventure series about a travelling twelve year-old girl. A world traveller herself, Darlene spends her time in Vancouver, Canada and Costa Blanca, in Spain.

​PRAISE FOR AMANDA ON THE DANUBE “A charming and fast-paced story that will delight its young audience as Amanda and Leah travel along the historic Danube River to deliver a very unique and mysterious violin." ~ Suzanne de Montigny, Award-winning author, Shadow of the Unicorn: The Legacy “This fast-paced mystery will keep readers guessing until the very last chapter.” ~ Jan L. Coates, Children’s Author, Finalist Governor General’s Literary Awards "A mysterious violin case, two boys and other intriguing characters among ancient castles make this a page turning adventure for young readers.” ~ Margriet Ruurs, Author of My Librarian is a Camel "A mysterious travel adventure with a brave, inquisitive, compassionate heroine. This is a fast-paced, fun read! Amanda will take you on a wonderful, visual, descriptive adventure." ~ PJ Sarah Collins, Author, and Elena Collins, aged 11

15 Comments
Darlene Foster link
1/26/2017 06:26:10 am

Thank you so much Krysten for featuring me as a guest on your blog!!

Reply
Lorraine Carey link
1/26/2017 06:39:15 am

I love author Darlene Foster brings culture to our young readers!
You get a great story while feel as though you take the trip with the character!

Reply
Darlene Foster link
1/26/2017 07:12:44 am

Thanks for those kind words Lorraine.

Reply
Barbara link
1/26/2017 10:10:38 am

Amanda on the Danube sounds like a fun and interesting story, as are all of Darlene’s books.
Thank you for sharing this Krysten.

Reply
Darlene Foster link
1/26/2017 10:50:43 am

Thanks Barbara!

Reply
Patricia Tilton link
1/26/2017 10:27:52 am

I'm glad you completed Amanda on the Danube because it is a delightful mystery in a wonderful location. Amanda must sit on your shoulder everywhere you travel, commenting about the area.

Reply
Darlene Foster link
1/26/2017 10:51:56 am

Amanda goes with me everywhere these days. I'm glad hubby doesn't mind.

Reply
Teresa (Tess) Karlinski link
1/26/2017 11:23:58 am

I believe some books take longer than others to cook before they're written. Anyway, love reading how stories are born. Thanks, Darlene.

Reply
Darlene Foster link
1/26/2017 02:12:25 pm

Yes, stories have a timing of their own. I am glad I carved out some time in my crazy life to get this one down on paper.

Reply
DGKaye blog link
1/27/2017 09:47:14 am

Fantastic interview with Darlene, Krysten. It's always interesting for other writers to learn where we get our inspiration from. :)

Reply
Darlene Foster link
2/2/2017 04:37:54 pm

Thanks! As writers, we get our ideas from interesting places, don't we. That is why we always carry a pen and paper with us.

Reply
Pamela link
2/1/2017 07:12:59 am

I enjoyed learning more about Darlene...and Amanda. My 8 year old granddaughter is just starting the series and loving it.

Reply
Darlene Foster link
2/2/2017 04:39:02 pm

I am so pleased your granddaughter is enjoying Amanda's adventures.

Reply
Sue Slaght link
2/3/2017 01:10:25 pm

Darlene I love that you feel that writing the book helped you relieve stress during that transition in your life. I think that says a lo about how much you love writing. I think Amanda will be on many more adventures in the future!

Reply
Darlene Foster link
2/13/2017 12:53:49 pm

Oh yes, Amanda is far from finished travelling the world!

Reply



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    ​Author of the Landry's True Colors Series, the Cecily Taylor Series, the Star Series, and Dating the It Guy.

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  • Home
  • About
  • Young Adult
    • Can Dreams Come True?
    • In Over Her Head: Lights, Camera, Anxiety
    • Dating the It Guy
    • The Star Series
  • Tweens
    • TRUE COLORS Book 1
    • BEST FRIENDS...FOREVER? Book 2
    • Landry in Like Book 3
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