Encountering dragons and swimming with sharks? Today’s interview features Hope Bolinger, who shares about her experiences that led her to write a book about a boy who sees dragons perhaps no one else does. And if that isn’t impressive enough, check out her credentials!
About Hope Bolinger
Hope Bolinger is an acquisitions editor and the author of almost 30 books. When she isn’t accidentally writing a middle grade book in five days, she likes to do theater, model for runways and shoots, and get lost on hikes. She wishes she could have a pet dragon but will settle for her two silly cats.
Paintball with Dragons
On his first day back to school in 7th grade, Xander Carson discovers a large black dragon blocking his locker. Soon he’s seeing wyverns, wyrms, and other lizard creatures, but no one else seems to notice them at all. Was he going crazy?
His life was tough enough already. His older brother – his best friend – had been killed in a car accident during the summer. And now dragons.
Through an unlikely friendship with a nerd named Zayn, Xander discovers that there may be a reason he’s seeing dragons – and these discerning creatures may be just what he needs to solve his paralyzing grief. But doing the wrong thing could make them disappear, exactly when he’s growing to need them.
Review
I confess, contemporary fantasy usually isn’t my thing (there was a time when I told myself if one more scene took place in front of a locker, I’d close the book. I’m over it now, fortunately, so I could enjoy this gem!), but when I heard about this book, I just had to check it out. Paintball with Dragons and my novel, On Hidden Wings, were neck and neck for the Realm Award for middle grade fantasy and Book of the Year, so I knew this book would be good—and it did not disappoint. The text has an easy flow, carrying with delicacy and beauty its theme of walking through grief. At the time I read it, I had lost my dear step-daddy just a few months before, and found this book a sweet companion on the confusing journey of dealing with an unexpected loss. Yes, I teared up, but this wasn’t a sad, heavy book. The mystery of the dragons’ appearance, what they meant, and how to keep them from disappearing again, wove a compelling thread of intrigue throughout the story amid heartwarming moments with friends old and new. Xander made for a very real, relatable boy character, and acts of kindness filled the book with sweetness leading up to its poignant conclusion—a message I definitely needed. I would heartily recommend it to any fantasy lover or young reader who has experienced a loss or has a connection with someone experiencing grief.
Find Paintball with Dragons on Amazon (affiliate link)
Interview with Hope Bolinger
After writing such a heartwarming book, Hope graciously shared more of her heart and her inspiration this book in an interview!
1.) What do you love about Paintball with Dragons that made you want to share this book with the world?
Grief is something that’s really hard to understand at a young age, especially if you lose someone close to you. I wanted a book that touched on it with something we all love…dragons.
2.) What inspired the story as a whole or elements within it?
My grandpa had passed away about a week before I wrote the story. It was a tough loss because, toward the end of his life, we were losing him to Alzheimer’s. In the last year of his life, he didn’t remember most of us, and I could tell he was really struggling with it. It was a way for me to tackle my grief for someone who had been so involved in my life.
3.) What fuels your passion to write?
I feel storytelling in my bones, every form of it. I love stories that are entertaining, but have grains of truth in them. I find that my faith plays a huge role in that. Jesus was a natural storyteller, too. He was constantly telling stories.
4.) Which of your books is your favorite (or the first you recommend to new-to-you readers)?
Oh! They’re all my babies, I can’t choose. But I can say that some were more fun to write than others. I really enjoyed writing Dear Hades with my coauthor; that was a hoot. If you’re a history nerd, I loved writing the Sparrow duology (Why the Sparrow Cries*/How the Eagle Dies*). But honestly, I cannot choose. I love them all equally.
5.) How do your personal beliefs/faith system shape your writing?
Oh, they shape everything. I wouldn’t have a writing gift without God. Anything good from me comes from Him. I tell stories because He’s telling my story every day. And I get to be part of the greatest story ever.
6.) What is a fun fact about you?
I once swam with sharks! I think sharks are severely misunderstood, like dragons. They’re honestly sea puppies in my opinion, but that could be the autism diagnosis I have talking.
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Many thanks to Hope for giving insight into the inspiration for her book! If you want to see some dragons, go check out Paintball with Dragons*. To learn more about her and her other books, visit hopebolinger.com.
How has a book helped you with a personal struggle? Share in the comments below!
Author Interview Series:
Carrie Anne Noble, The Mermaid’s Sister
Tara Grayce, Lost in Averell
Ariel Avelar, Influent
H.L. Burke, Ashen
Constance Lopez, Of Stormlarks and Silence
E.J. Kitchens, Wrought of Silver and Ravens
Ashley Bustamante, Vivid
L.A. Thornhill, The Prophetess of Arden
Sharon Hinck, Hidden Current
Emily Golus, Escape to Vindor
Kyrie Wang, The Thief’s Keeper
E.A. Hendryx, Suspended in the Stars
Hope Bolinger, Paintball with Dragons
*Affiliate link
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