Local author Rebecca Steiger prepares 'The Dragon Prophecy: The Quest for the Keeper' for publication

Rebecca Steiger with her proof  copy of  'The Dragon Prophecy'
T. Lucas photo

"I grew up in this community, I have lived here pretty much all of my life,"  explains author Rebecca Steiger.  She is a certified cosmetician, a single mom, and is taking courses to become an administrative professional.  All that, and she decided to write a book.  "The desire to write the story has been with me for 20 years or more, at least.  It took about a year to write the bulk of it, and about three years to get it to this stage.  It got put away then dug back out a few times," said Steiger.


"It's based on a group of warriors that meet each other haphazardly, and they are seeking out the Keeper.  The title is actually called  'The Dragon Prophecy:  The Quest for the Keeper.'  He's the keeper of souls.  He takes your soul before you can pass on, and then he can turn you into one of his minions, basically. It's not a dragon story.  Dragons are in it, but I never intended it to be that much about dragons.  The original title was going to be 'The Bloodline Prophecy'."

The book is written in a first person narrative style, from the perspective of a number of different characters in the book.  "There's a lot of humour in it, but there are some dark parts.  It was really therapeutic to write the dark parts.  There are a few chapters that are written from the point of view of the Keeper, and it was so much fun to write that evil, dark, mean character."

"I really struggled to find an appropriate ending. I would write some of it out, and go ugh, it's not right. Delete, delete, delete."  Then while washing dishes one night, the ending came to Steiger and she scrambled to get it typed out while it was fresh in her mind.

"I sent it Deanna, like I always do," she said.  Deanna DeLaurier has been a confidante for Steiger throughout her writing process.  According to Steiger, DeLaurier called her back very excited when she read the ending. "I wasn't expecting that!" DeLaurier said.  "I know!" Steiger exclaimed in return.

"She didn't help me write the book, but she was the constant cheering section, she was the constant push. To me, these people are like real people.  So if I got stuck, I'd contact her, and we would talk about these people like they were real, and talk through the situation to get me unstuck."  DeLaurier would talk with Steiger about how she would feel or react in a situation,  and how she would see the characters reacting in a situation. The two wanted all the emotions to be plausible, even in a fantasy setting.

Coming up with the characters was the easiest part for Steiger.  "I used to write in a group, it was kind of like role play.  We all had characters and we would write, then (others in the group) would write in response.  I did that for two years, and that's where I found out I really love to write.  It was fantastic."

"You can't submit a copy for sale, unless you have a proof, like a draft, made."  This is the copy that she now has in her possession.  Steiger, a digital graphic artist, also did the cover artwork.  The graphic is of the eye of a red dragon.  "I think it turned out great."  There are a few copies that are currently in print.  One is with her friend Peter Dressler, who will be editing the book.  The steps of taking the ideas and making a story is only on part of the process. Next she had to arrange for the story to be published.  "It was actually through Peter Dressler.  It was a little complicated, and intimidating," Steiger said about publishing.  Peter had gone through a company called Create Space for a book that he had written and Steiger did some of the editing work for him on that project.

"I wanted this for me.  Having other people read it is almost like having them read a diary, so much of my emotion is in there.  It's very personal to me," she explained.  She has been surprised with the reaction that she has received from her family members that are in the process of reading it.  "My dad read 16 chapters in one night, and I wasn't anticipating him reading it at all.  My daughter has just turned 13, and she's been reading it.  She said 'It just never stops, it's just go, go, go!'."  Her daughter was happy that 'There is no bore' in the book.   Steiger has two children, her daughter Mackenzie and younger son Ethan.  "Mack's just tickled, and it's inspired Ethan to start writing.  He wants to write his own."

Once the book goes through another edit and some legal processes it will be available in softcover and for e-readers on Amazon.

"She deserves to have this book dedicated to her," said Steiger about her friend Deanna DeLaurier.  "She has been such a source of support."

Excerpt:  "His words fell and when I looked up he was rushing full on towards Lilly and the others.  Seconds later a cry of pain echoed down the crevasse. The sound of knowing someone you loved was gone."