Hello and a big welcome to the blog! 

Today, we are excited to feature a special guest whose talent is truly remarkable. If you have kids who adore fantasy or if you're dreaming of becoming a fantastic fantasy writer yourself, you won't want to miss this! 

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Dakota McElhinny, the brilliant author behind the children's book 'The Wall Between The Woods.' We loved his insights and can’t wait for you to dive into what he shared! So without further ado...

Hey Dakota, thanks for taking the time to chat with us!

Hey, thank you for having me!

To kick things off, could you share a bit about your background and how you first realised your passion for writing?

Of course! I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and Morganton, North Carolina, so I gained both the “bustling city life” and “rural country life” experience. The summer before 6^th grade I had to practice my cursive handwriting. Like any disciplined sixth grader, I chose to sit down and write a “book” to practice my cursive. I say, “book” because it was only a ten page story and I made each page a chapter. I realized my love for writing then, though, and I just never stopped. 

We're so glad you never stopped, and it's obvious you haven't either because your body of work is quite impressive, spanning poetry, short stories, and fantasy. Do you have a genre that you enjoy writing the most?

Fantasy would easily be it. That’s the genre that I first started in years ago. I cut my teeth on Arthurian legends, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Lloyd Alexander, reading wise, so when I write fantasy, I do lean more high fantasy or fairy-talish style.

You undeniably embody the same standard of greatness in the genre! Now, let’s talk about your pen name, Arthur Y. Wharton, which you use for your acclaimed middle-grade novel, ‘The Wall Between The Woods.’ Is this name a way to distinguish between different genres? What inspired you to choose it?

Yes, I chose to go with a pen name because of writing in different genres. I wish I knew this ten years ago, when The Realm was published, because I would have started then. laughs I never saw myself writing and publishing in different genres. I didn’t even consider any future fantasy books or series, after The Realm Series. I guess that’s the ignorant bliss of youth, but I’m blessed.

I chose the name Arthur Y. Wharton because it’s a good, strong name and, being a lover of genealogy, there are several on my family tree.

It's definitely a strong name that fits the genre perfectly. We’re also very curious about your creative process. How do you go about crafting such memorable characters and intricate plots?

Characters are always easy for me. I typically visualize the character’s physical makeup in my mind, and then I write down how I think the character would be and little quirks. Sometimes, I might see or read something, and I’ll think, “oh, I like that” and I’ll make a note of it. Then, later on, I’ll look over my notes and assign those traits or behaviors to my characters, or I may carve and create a brand new one.

I always try to keep my plots simple and straightforward, so readers know what the main objective is. It’s sub-plotting that’s a bit trickier, but just as important. It's about being a good storyteller, knowing the mechanics and how it should flow, pacing it properly, and refining it over and over and over. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be enjoyable for readers.

Looking at ‘The Wall Between The Woods,’ we know your storytelling talent is fantastic, and you definitely know how to keep readers entertained! Among the vibrant cast of characters in the tale do you have a personal favourite? And, would you say that you share any adventurous traits with the characters you create?

Absolutely! My favorite would be Tweedsmuir. He’s a special character to me, both him and his brother Kilmuir. I guess this will answer the second question too, but yes, I do share traits with characters. Tweeds is very much me. Loves to write, witty, bit of a daydreamer, and looks for the good in things. Kilmuir is a child-like version of me, wanting to be a knight, wanting to prove his worth.

There is some piece of me in each of the characters. I think every author puts a bit of themselves into their characters, the good and the bad. That’s what helps bring stories to life, relation and realism.

What a fantastic response! We feel like we know you even better now, and you are so right. Not only do your stories have relatable characters, but they also have a magical quality that allows readers to escape into different worlds. Did you enjoy reading similar immersive tales when you were younger?

Yes. I stayed in books all the time growing up. Some of my favorites that I sunk into include: The Wishbone Series (Romeo & Juliet, Frankenstein, Ivanhoe, Joan of Arc), The Hobbit (still my favorite book), The Prydain Chronicles (Taran Wanderer is an amazing coming of age piece), and then there was Greek mythology and Arthurian legends. I had a vivid imagination, so I could sink myself into those stories, read them, and watch them play out in my mind. Love those days, those books, and I hope mine impact future young readers and inspire them too.

We have no doubt they will! About your other books, can you give us some insight into ‘The Realm Series’? What can readers expect from it?

The Realm Series is high fantasy. It follows a group of four main characters who find themselves in the middle of disturbing times, as there’s a demon prince who wants to conquer their homeland, and these characters accidentally end up together and they try to stop the demon prince.

I started writing The Realm Series in high school,  so one could say it was by a teenager for teens and teenagers. The first book came out a couple years afterwards. The first book has a faster pace than the other two, and I wanted to pour out my imagination and show everything! laughs It’s evident that I grew as a storyteller, writer, and author throughout the series. I’m very proud of those books because everyone has to start somewhere, and I had fun writing them.

Absolutely! You should be. Reflecting on your journey as an author, what has been the most rewarding experience for you so far?

It’s really difficult to choose only one because there’s so many! Publishing The Realm Series and The Wall Between The Woods, knowing kids are reading those books and their having an impact on them, that’s very much a dream come true.  Being a recipient for The Golden Wizard Book Prize, that’s an honoring experience because it’s my first. Serving on the board of the South Carolina Writers Association, serving our members, connecting with them, and giving back. I would cite all of these experiences as my most rewarding up to this point.

Amazing, and what a great feeling it must be to see children enjoying your work! Thinking back to your childhood, who were the authors you admired, and who do you admire now? 

Favorites growing up would be J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Lloyd Alexander, and Robert E. Howard. Now? I would include Brian Jacques, John Claude Bemis, and Kieran Larwood when talking middle grade writers, and for YA or adult, I would include Michael Moorcock, Tad Williams, and Sara Douglass.

So much talent there, and while we’re on the subject of talent…could you share some advice for aspiring writers looking to follow in your footsteps?

Write every day. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it doesn’t even have to be good, but write every day for practice. Read inside your genre and outside your genre; you’ll pick up on things and learn. Find classes or get a book so you can study the mechanics of storytelling, pacing, dialogue, and plotting. Join a writing association for a supportive community, and join a critique group so you can learn and hone your skillset. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions, don’t be afraid to mess up, and have fun.

What incredible advice! Thank you for that. Lastly, where can readers find your books?

Amazon has all my books. The Realm Series and The Wall Between The Woods is available everywhere. Best place to go is my website: Official Author Page: Dakota McElhinny

Awesome. A huge thank you for coming on the blog, Dakota!

And, to all our blog readers, we highly recommend that your next action is to delve into the creations of this gifted author, especially the award-winning 'The Wall Between The Woods.' You won't regret it, we promise!

With magic, 

The Golden Wizard