Interview with Maria Sansalone

Published 2013-10-10.
The art in "Dragon Fights For Good: We Walk As One" by Frederick C. Wilda is amazing. What scene is it from?
Maria Sansalone: Toward the very end! The dragon here is The Ancient One---she's stuck without wings guarding an earth dragon fortress that is about to explode deep beneath the Earth. She is the daughter of the Great Earth Dragon that battled Beowulf, and she hates humans as much as her father once did. Fred Wilda, the artist, is a professional artist and recognized mineral artist. This was done in watercolor. That's using the kind of pigments that typically come out light and fluffy, unless you know what you're doing! This interpretation is meant to represent a throwback to a tyrannosaurus---a very terrifying one. It certainly gives me the shivers, so I think it accomplishes that.
You were the parent co-author for "Childhood Brain & Spinal Cord Tumors," and now you're publishing children's fiction?
Maria Sansalone: Absolutely! First, what an incredible experience to gather the stories and experiences of individuals, families---siblings included! Go sibs!---for this book (available on a different network). I will be forever grateful to Nancy Keene for asking me (and to the parents who, because of their own journey and timing, had to turn down the opportunity).

Second: Going through ANY experience like this, as my family has, a childhood cancer journey, any journey dealing with chronic disease---YOU are the hero undergoing battle. And you look to any and all guides to bolster your courage. Lions and tigers and dragons included.
How'd you come up with your backstory?
Maria Sansalone: Sometimes I get that question, "How'd you come up with all that?" It's happening more often now. First, I had to spend some time "refilling and refueling" at a master's program in Oral Traditions (not necessary for everyone, but integral for me). Those of you who know William's journey or have your own cancer journey will understand why. Just take a few moments to unplug from the World and plug into your Imagination. Then see what visions you find. (Some Storytellers consider this the "stories they were given.")
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Books by This Author

Dragon Fights For Good: We Walk As One
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 7,560. Language: English. Published: September 27, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Science Fiction, Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Mythical animals
(5.00 from 1 review)
Watercolor Art by Artist Frederick C. Wilda highlights this dragon fantasy featuring Dragons, of course! And humans, a volcano, and a long history of differences between dragonkind and human peoples. From the eagle of Aesop fables to the legend of Beowulf: A MODERN TALE OF DRAGON BATTLE and THE WORLD ACCORDING TO DRAGONS.