Amie Rose Rotruck
Amie Rose Rotruck is a very organized, creative, and determined person who was able to envision a life as a writer even as she planned her career. After receiving undergraduate degrees from the University of Pittsburg in both electrical engineering and children's writing (a special, self-designed degree program), she went on to earn two Master's Degrees from Hollin's University, a MA in children's literature and a MFA as well. Well prepared to do the writing in which she has been interested since attending the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts-Writing Program, Rotruck has become a published author. Having been fascinated by dragons since childhood, Amie Rose Rotruck considers herself very lucky to have been able to write about a particular dragon, Simle (a Bronze Dragon), and to have her novel set in the realm of the Dragonlance books which she had read as a young teenager. Her love of dragons and her love of writing have come full circle with the publication of the Bronze Dragon Codex.
Her well developed organizational skills have served her well as she balances her work as an electrical engineer with her writing career. Having met editor, Stacy Whitman, at an academic conference, Rotruck was hired to write The Bronze Dragon Codex, which is part of the "Dragon Codex" series. Each book in the series has its own author; but, in order to capitalize on having all of the series shelved together in libraries and in bookstores, it was determined to name an author for the whole series. The name R. D. Henham was chosen with care and humor. R is for the recurring R's in several of the real author's names, D is for dragon (of course), and Henham has its own wonderful story. In the 1600's, the small hamlet of Henham was terrorized by someone with a fake dragon, proving the power of dragon-lore. As an "assistant scribe" to R. D. Henham, Rotruck was tasked with telling the story of a character from the Dragonlance: New Adventures series (intended for a somewhat younger readership than the original Dragonlance series). She chose Tatelyn, a minor character whom she could give full development and as her website states, "...was chosen to interview Simle, a young bronze dragon, about her adventures with a human girl named Tatelyn." Rotruck admitted during our phone interview that she liked the dragons better than the people in the stories and often "likes the animals better than the people in other stories." A rapid reader, Rotruck has read prodigiously but is not fond of "hard science fiction."
As she works on a writing project, she budgets her time by preparing a spread sheet of exacting deadlines for each division of the novel or article. Jotting notes here and there as she thinks of things is helpful but she mainly works in a focused manner after starting the project. She told me that she may "paddle around" for thirty to fifty pages to let the sense of place and character build but then she creates a story- outline that gives her direction and keeps the pace going to the end. Her strict adherence to planning is often jolted by the surprising actions of her characters. Because her characters are fully-realized as people, they often have their own ideas about how things should proceed and Rotruck has to consider just what motivated such deeds and thoughts. This interplay of author and character makes for captivating reading.
The field of historical fantasy is calling to Rotruck and she is working on several things that will have appeal to those steeped in the world of fantasy. One of her areas of interest is in a "generic Medieval England" with well-developed characters who live in the historical setting but do not have direct interaction with particular historical events. She is also fascinated with the history of Roanoke Island and the settlement there. I can hardly wait to see how she will develop that idea - which may end up not being about the Lost Colony at all, but just capturing the mystery and the sense of history in another time and place. Her next book, Monster Hunting part of the "Young Wizard's Handbook" series, will be out in September 2010. She told me that it is "sort of Dangerous Book for Boys meets 'wizardology.'" It sounded as if she had a great deal of fun writing this "how to" book on hunting for monsters, which will translate into a great read that includes lots of illustrations and "camp crafts, cooking outdoors, and woods-lore."
Giving rich details to a fantasy world is easier if the author has a deep background in a variety of areas. Rotruck meets this demand with great panache as she has extensive science at her fingertips, has read widely, and is gifted in many areas of art. Her attention to details reveals itself in her various crafts: sewing, crocheting, beading, working in stained glass, needlework, pysanky (elaborately decorated Ukrainian Easter Eggs), and "working on my dollhouse." She has observed and cared for a variety of pets, including Lucy the rescued greyhound. She is also active in a number of groups concerned with writing and the world of fantasy, such as The International Association of the Fantastic in the Arts, the Children's Literature Association, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Because writing requires exquisite attention to details to make a "really good read" and Rotruck has experience with writing "for hire" (specific assignments) as well as creating her own novels, readers will not be disappointed with anything written by Amie Rose Rotruck.
Visit her website for more details: www.amieroserotruck.com
Submitted by Sheilah Egan
Reviews
Bronze Dragon Codex
R.D. Henham
Bronze dragon Simle and cleric Tatelyn have one thing in common: their hatred of each other's species. Tatelyn watched her brother be killed by a dragon; Simle mourns the kidnapping of her siblings by humans. Tatelyn is the leader of a group dedicated to banishing all dragons from Krylnn; Simle seeks the humans responsible for her family's anguish. However, their causes must be put on hold when a strange connection is established between them. Tatelyn and Simle are unwillingly forced to work together to save themselves and their loved ones from the threat of the draconians. This story has a strong theme of reconciliation between those with differences. As such, the plot becomes more about the forging of a relationship between two enemies than about a larger conflict. Because of this, the story as a whole loses a sense of complexity. It is a heartwarming story with exciting moments. 2008, Mirrorstone/Wizards of the Coast, $9.95. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Amalia Selle (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780786949304
ISBN: 0786949309
Updated 12/28/09
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