About

Hi! I’m Dana.

In real life, I work in tech, and my degree is in engineering (but, clearly, this is not what I write about). Like all human beings, I’m a bundle of paradoxes and apparent contradictions. I’m a Christian, and our culture may call me intolerant, but I believe Love rejoices with Truth. I have a background in technology, but in my spare time I would rather spin tales than write code. I’m a realist in living, but I prefer my happy endings in storytelling. I’m an introvert, but I’ll be your friend as long as you’re willing. I give my friendship easily, but my trust sparingly. If I could have more of one virtue, like the Cowardly Lion in Oz, I would choose courage because sometimes I fear too many things too much – and like C.S. Lewis said, “Courage is the form of every virtue at its testing point.” I love to laugh, but often at things that aren’t funny. You may think I’m mad, and you just might be right.

My Debut Novel

The Vermilion Riddle releases March 1, 2022. Preorder it on Amazon now.

“To enter Faerie’s blessed demesne
four secrets must be found:
the land unbound by time and space
opens only to the one who knows
the Light, the Song, and Mortal Gate.”

A wealthy new gentleman comes to town and proposes to Leah, just as her family faces financial ruin. But none of them realize that August Fox is a warrior locked in an ancient struggle to protect the mortal realm – and his brother is on the other side.

Stayed tuned! The Vermilion Riddle is my first novel, but I don’t intend for it to be my last.

The Blog’s Beginnings

I’m pursuing a career in an entirely different industry, but I’ve had a lifelong passion for stories and the written word. My love for writing grew out of my love for reading, and it has always been a hobby I dabbled in on the side. I’ve written a fair amount over the years, and I have an assortment of literary topics that I could go on and on about. Some of them may be ridiculous. Some of them may inspire you. Who knows.

Hence, I resolved to open a blog, publicly own my passion, and dedicate time, breath, and energy to practicing the craft and sharing my creations and ideas. Voila, Pen and Fire. The name? Well, I think these are two things every writer needs.

What’s on Pen and Fire?

• Musings on writing, books, and ideas
• Reflections on life, truth and story
• Short stories
• Snippets from my longer works
• Poetry / lyrics
• Book reviews
• Links to good posts elsewhere

As the blog grew over a few months, I thought the motto chasing truth and making art aptly summed up my purpose, both in writing and in living.

So come have a conversation with me. Write back when I write. Tell me what you really think, in all the glory of brutal honesty. Here’s to truth, adventure, and good stories!

S.D.G.