Dee Marie Shares the Heart and History Behind Her Powerful Storytelling

PHOTO: Author Dee Marie, blending myth and modernity with timeless storytelling

From Arthurian Legends to Hockey Romance, A Journey of Passion, Purpose, and Craft

Award-winning author Dee Marie reflects on her creative process, emotional inspirations, and how her passions for myth, art, and hockey shape her deeply personal and immersive storytelling.

Dee Marie’s storytelling is nothing short of spellbinding. With a voice rooted in both myth and memory, she breathes new life into legends while anchoring them in emotional truth. Whether conjuring the mysticism of ancient Britain in Sons of Avalon: Merlin’s Prophecy or exploring love and resilience on the ice in Shots and Shutouts, her novels are as rich in heart as they are in atmosphere.

A gifted writer, artist, and former Editor-in-Chief of an international magazine, Dee Marie draws from a deep well of creative experience. Her background in digital art and photography informs the vivid world-building in her fiction, offering readers stories that are not only well-researched but visually and emotionally immersive. What sets her apart is the soul she infuses into every narrative—crafted with care, reverence, and an unwavering sense of purpose.

In this exclusive interview, Dee Marie shares the inspirations behind her books, the emotional weight behind her genre shift, and the deeply personal stories that fuel her writing. Her passion for storytelling is unmistakable, and her words are a reminder that even legends must be told from the heart.

Dee Marie is a masterful storyteller whose books blend history, emotion, and imagination with stunning depth, grace, and authenticity.

What initially sparked your deep interest in Arthurian legends and British, Celtic, and Druid history?

It began at birth. My mother swept me away to live with my grandparents in the Avalon Apartments, perched on a hill named after a queen. There, she told me magical tales of Merlin, King Arthur, and the knights of the Round Table. That’s how the Arthurian legend took root and grew into my Sons of Avalon story.

How did your experience walking within the inner circle of Stonehenge influence your writing for the Sons of Avalon series?

Stonehenge played a vital role in shaping the atmosphere of Sons of Avalon. I had dreamed of visiting, but nothing prepared me for stepping onto that sacred ground. Being granted the rare privilege to walk among the dancing stones, to place my hands on their ancient surfaces, was a special moment in my life. That experience became the heartbeat of the world I built in the novel. More important, it brought weight to the scenes set in Stonehenge.

“Writing the novel was more than telling a story, it was a gift of hope.” — Dee Marie

Can you describe the emotional journey of creating Shots and Shutouts for a friend coping with loss?

It is impossible to put into words the heartbreak of losing a dear friend to cancer so soon after her diagnosis. Knowing her daughter was navigating that grief only deepened my own. Her daughter loves hockey. Her passion for her team became the inspiration behind Shots and Shutouts. Writing the novel was more than telling a story, it was a gift of hope. A small distraction for her in a time of sorrow … a flicker of light during her darkest days.

How do you balance historical research with creative storytelling when writing historical fantasy like Sons of Avalon?

Research is my favorite part of writing. In Sons of Avalon, I wanted the historical framework to feel as solid as the fantasy elements. One of the most rewarding moments came when archaeologists uncovered a Roman amphitheater in London. I was stuck on a chapter, and that real-world discovery gave me the perfect setting to move the story forward. Blending fact with myth is a balancing act, but when the two align, it’s magical.

What challenges did you face transitioning from editor-in-chief of a CGI magazine to a full-time novelist?

When I became deep into writing Sons of Avalon, I knew I couldn’t give both the novel and the magazine my full attention. Running an international publication demanded constant deadlines and a fast-paced mindset. Novel writing required something slower, more reflective. So, I stepped down as Editor-in-Chief to write Merlin’s story. It wasn’t easy letting go of the magazine, but I wanted to create something lasting, something that could outlive a single issue.

“Don’t just write what you know. Write what you love.” — Dee Marie

How has your background in photography and digital art shaped your approach to world-building in your novels?

Photography taught me how to frame a scene, how to narrow the focus until the subject comes alive. That same skill applies to world-building. Whether I’m capturing a fifth-century battlefield or a modern hockey rink, I write with a lens in mind, drawing the reader’s eye to texture and atmosphere. Digital art taught me patience. Layer by layer, I learned to build something immersive. Both mindsets carry over into my writing.

What do you find most rewarding about weaving your passion for hockey into a romance narrative?

Professional ice hockey is a unique sport. It demands discipline, endurance, and fearlessness, all while speeding across ice on skates, dodging and chasing a small fast-moving puck. Goalies are my favorite players. They’re the heartbeat of the team, the last line of defense, and always laced with mystery. Weaving a sweet love story into the intensity of down-and-dirty on-ice hockey action was a perfect balance for the story.

Among all the characters you’ve created, do you have a personal favorite, and if so, why?

I love Sir Lot. I had finished the first draft of Sons of Avalon when late one night, Lot entered my bedroom. He sat at the foot of my bed, tapping the tip of his sword on the floor. With a deep Scottish accent he whispered, “You need to tell my story too.” Thus, I spent the next year in heavy rewrites weaving the dark prince into my story.

“I write with a lens in mind, drawing the reader’s eye to texture and atmosphere.” — Dee Marie

How do you maintain authenticity when writing about two very different worlds, like professional hockey and rural ranch life?

The rural ranch life was the easy part. I spent summers on my aunt’s ranch, working the fields and riding horses. Hockey required a deep dive into research. I not only had to know hockey terms, I also needed to explore the players off-ice culture. Whether I’m writing about farm life, or a puck hitting the post in overtime, I want the experience to feel real to the reader, not just imagined.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to blend their personal passions into their fiction writing?

Don’t just write what you know. Write what you love. Let that passion guide you, but don’t skip the research. If you’re writing about a sport, learn the rules and the right terminology. If you’re writing historical fiction, stay true to the era. It’s the little things that lend credibility to your story. Respect your reader enough to get them right.