by Angela Arndt, @aearndt

I battle with dragons every day.

Oh boy, I can see some of you frowning but whether you write speculative or women’s fiction, you must know that dragons are real! Sure, there are the mythical ones like the Chinese dragon kings with their kingdoms on the ocean floor, but did you know there are thirty-four verses in the Bible that pertain to dragons? Remember the great battle in Revelation between the angel Michael and the dragon?

Each day I battle for time to create my stories. I’m certain I’m not the only dragon-slaying writer. Here are a few of dangerous beasts that only do battle with writers:

The horrible Distraction Dragon attacks from every angle to wear down even the most prolific writer. His clutch-sister, the mighty Tension Dragon, is a fire-breather and headache-maker whose breath turns my fledgling ideas to cold, grey ash. Battles with these two beasts can last for days. But I’ve learned there’s a mighty swordsmith in the land of Focus who forges a blade that will cut through the heart of both with a laser-like swath. If you’re too weary to travel to that faraway land, then try turning off the siren call of the Internet. Set aside your cell phone with its alluring apps. Instead, listen to soothing instrumental music or invest in a sound machine or try writing in a darkened room.

Next, there are the twin flying monsters, Greed and Envy. These terrible siblings have a horrible breath that will poison a writer’s mind and turn even the brownest eyes bright green. Their victims turn and attack those who get a publishing deal or are higher on the Amazon lists. If you’ve been exposed to their noxious fumes, the best cure is choosing to celebrate another’s success.

Another most troublesome critter is the Gossip, a small, sickly orange dragon who flits from ear-to-ear spreading wild stories. Cousin of the twin dragons, it thrives on low self-confidence and maliciousness. If a writer listens to or, worse yet, responds to Gossip, they are sure to be bitten by this aggravating beastie. An injury isn’t deadly, but it can injure a writer’s career. The only way to escape its yellow teeth is to ignore it. If you don’t move, Gossip can’t see you. Soon it will wing its way to another unfortunate author.

Not all dragons are frightening, however. Fear has bright yellow fur and big brown eyes. This creature looks like a giant puppy and is so tame he’ll even nestle beside you on the couch. But while you’re watching your favorite television program, he’ll hide your manuscript in his damp cave. How can you evict this fluffy creature from your home? Simple: write. When your ideas start flowing again, your manuscript will be restored.

The palest dragon, Reader, is also the most elusive. Spending most of its life in its lair devouring books, this unpredictable beast generates great treasure for some writers but paralyzes others. Those who study mythical beasts have determined that most Readers prefer books with well-crafted stories and characters that walk off the page. I must admit, the thought of facing this creature at some point frightens me, but I’ve found a special concoction called LearnHowtoWriteANovel.com to help me craft a little tidbit for him.

I know dragons are fictional creatures but don’t we spend much of our real lives writing fiction? Remember as you weave together your stories, in unknown waters “there be dragons!”

Angela Arndt writes women’s fiction with a thread of romance, telling stories of strong, independent women in difficult situations set in small Southern towns. Her biggest hope is that she will encourage her readers to overcome their own “back roads” and find joy in the Lord again.  Represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary Agency, Angela has a Master’s Degree from the University of South Carolina and continues learning the craft of writing fiction through the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Novel Academy. Connect with her at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram