The Inspiration Behind Kyra of the North
David Decker discusses his journey from battling a learning disability to crafting Kyra of the North, blending perseverance, passion, and world-building inspiration from Dungeons & Dragons, fantasy, and anime.
Few authors have the ability to ignite the imagination quite like David Decker. A creative mind with a passion for fantasy, science fiction, and anime, Decker captures the essence of storytelling in a way that feels both vivid and enthralling. His debut novel, Kyra of the North, is a testament to his determination, vision, and belief in the power of perseverance. What makes Decker’s journey even more inspiring is his candid openness about overcoming personal challenges, including a learning disability, to pursue his dream of becoming an author. It is this blend of resilience and creativity that shines brightly through his writing and brings his characters and settings to life.
In Kyra of the North, Decker’s rich imagination is on full display, weaving a tapestry of compelling world-building and heartfelt themes. From the epic inspiration of Dungeons & Dragons to the intricate storytelling of anime classics like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, his influences have culminated in a work that captures both the grandeur of heroic quests and the intimacy of personal growth. Decker’s commitment to his craft and his ability to channel a deeply creative process, from visualising scenes like a cinematic reel to enhancing them with music, serves as an inspiration for writers and readers alike.
In this interview, we delve into the mind of David Decker to explore his journey as a writer, his creative process, and the passion behind Kyra of the North. He speaks candidly about how he channelled his drive and determination to overcome obstacles, the role perseverance played in completing his novel, and the deeply emotional messages of hope and acceptance woven into Kyra’s journey. For anyone who has ever struggled to believe in their own abilities or dared to dream of crafting a story, David Decker’s words are a powerful reminder to keep going, keep growing, and never stop creating. Prepare to be inspired by an author whose story is as captivating as his novel.
David Decker is a creative powerhouse whose perseverance and storytelling abilities deliver a heartfelt, imaginative masterpiece in Kyra of the North.
What inspired you to create the character of Kyra and her journey in Kyra of the North?
Back in 2018, I started playing a game of Dungeons & Dragons with a few friends from work. As part of playing the game, I had to create a character based on the game mechanics. This required me to create a simple backstory along with character traits and abilities. Being me, I developed more than a simple backstory. I included bits and pieces of her past and why she acted the way she did as I role-played with her. As we played, my creativity was reignited. I started to see our characters in the game battling monsters and traveling throughout the world that our Dungeon Master created for us.
Fast forward a few years, I kept thinking about my character, who had a different name at the time. What was she like when she was young? What events throughout her life guided her to be who she was when I was playing the game? I kept thinking that would be an interesting story. One evening, I found myself at the computer and I just started to write. That’s how I started down this journey, and I haven’t looked back.
How did your love for fantasy, science fiction, and anime influence the story and world-building in your novel?
Since I was young, I have always been a fan of fantasy, sci-fi, and anime. I have fond memories of reading my brother’s D&D books and trying to copy the drawings in them. All of the monsters and characters fascinated me. I also became infatuated with anime when I was around five years old. I remember watching early translations of Battle of the Planets to Robotech/Macross Defense Force. The anime that cemented me into the world of anime was Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki. It was unlike anything I had ever seen. I was mesmerized by the visuals and the story of hope.
Can you share your creative process for developing such imaginative and vibrant settings in your work?
I have a highly active imagination. When I close my eyes, I can see the settings and characters. It’s almost like I am watching a movie in my mind. I also learned that listening to music was a great help for me in translating the visuals in my head into the written word. For example, during instance scenes, I had epic fast-driving music playing, and when there was an emotional moment in the story, I had somber music playing. Over the course of writing Kyra of the North, I started listening to The Badlands by Magic Sword, and over time, this album became the music score for the story.
How did you overcome the challenges of your learning disability to embrace writing and complete your first novel?
I have a personality where when I become focused on something, it becomes a primary focus in my life. Examples of this are drawing and design. When I started to write Kyra, it quickly became a focus; no, focus is not the right word. It became a passion. I was determined to finish it. The challenge was that I had never written anything more than a term paper for school. So, I started to research and teach myself from various sources such as YouTube and blogs. I even talked to English teachers about how to improve my writing. I also relied on software proofing tools as well as people to proof my writing. Having multiple views and perspectives helped catch and refine many things in the story.
What message or themes do you hope readers take away from reading Kyra of the North?
The message I want readers to get from Kyra is hope and acceptance. Kyra was born into a life she had no control over, and during her journey in the story, she learns many life lessons. But the most important one is that she has the power to be who she wants to be and she should not allow others to change that.
What role did perseverance play in your writing journey, and how has it shaped you as an author?
Perseverance was critical in completing Kyra of the North. It took me almost two years to complete. During these two years, I must have rewritten it close to five times, sometimes rewriting whole chapters or even reworking a whole part of the story. Without perseverance, I would not be here now, an author of a passion project that I thought I would never ever do in my life. I wrote a novel. At times, I still can’t believe it.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors, especially those who face personal or creative challenges?
The only advice I can give anyone who is thinking of writing or is currently writing is just to do it and continue writting. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I made many during the time I wrote Kyra, but I learned from them. With any creative project, there will be challenges, and when you find the solution, it’s a growing experience. So the next time, you will have a new tool in your belt.
