(Courtesy of author Cindy Koepp, from the When Your Beauty IS The Beast anthology)
Special News Bulletin
Ella Font: Good morning! This is Ella Font of the Interdimensional News Network bringing you news from the story front. I have with me today novel, resource, and comic book writer Cindy Koepp and Level 6 tinkerer Angie Neer from the tale “Damsel in This Dress.” Hello, ladies.
Cindy Koepp: Pleased to be here, Ella.
Angie Neer: (blushing) Hey!
Ella: So, Cindy, tell us about your writing.
Cindy: (adjusts her hat) I’m told (and there’s evidence to back up the claim) that I started writing when I was about 7 years old. That first story was a tale about a dog and his talking pet cactus or something like that. From that odd beginning, I went on to writing X-Men fanfic then graduated to writing original stories. My first book published in 2012, and now I have 8 novels, about 15 anthologies, 4 teacher resources, and a comic book in my credits.
Ella: And “Damsel in This Dress” is the latest?
Cindy: Actually, the comic book released just 5 days after the When Your Beauty Is a Beast anthology, so “Damsel in This Dress” is the penultimate.
Ella: That’s terrific! So, Angie, you’re the point of view character in this tale?
Angie: Right. I’m the tinkerer for a developer’s team led by Morgrim Thanyu, a dwarven warrior. By day, he works for the gaming company. We also have an elf herbalist, Leif Etree, and a sprite acrobat, Gemina Stex.
Ella: So, what can you tell us about your adventure?
Angie: We picked up a quest to make sure a kidnapped princess was safe.
Ella: Was safe? You weren’t supposed to rescue her, but you had to make sure she was safe?
Angie: Yeah, we thought that was weird, too, until we met the prince, her “loving fiancé”. Wow, was he a piece of work. Morgrim just about wanted to use his “attitude adjuster” on the guy.
Ella: Attitude adjuster?
Angie: His warhammer.
Ella: (stares wide-eyed) Well, that sure would adjust an attitude or two.
Angie: And has.
Ella: So, how does it end? Were you able to make sure the princess was safe?
Angie: (jaw drops) I can’t tell you that!
Ella: A little hint?
Angie: (shakes her head)
Ella: Cindy? You wrote this story.
Cindy: (smiles) Spoilers!
Ella: (sighs) Well, okay. I guess I’ll just have to read it and find out. And this is Ella Font of the IDNN signing off. Goodnight everybody!