“Gold: A Princess Tale” a new book from OHS
By Paige Purifoy
Photo of book cover provided by Alyse Bemis
Fantasy books are an imaginative escape into another world that provide a truly unique experience for the reader. Alyse Bemis, a sophomore at Owasso High School, has put hard work into writing and publishing her first fantasy book that is sure to do just that.
“Gold: A Princess Tale,” Bemis’s first published novel of 319 pages, tells the story of 11-year-old Princess Natalia Grace. She navigates how to help the people of her kingdom that is in the midst of a war and food crisis alongside her sisters, despite orders to stay in the castle.
Bemis pours work and passion into her writing, drawing inspiration from a story she wrote when she was seven years old. Since she was 11, she’s been writing different drafts of the same tale. She says she credits the completion of “Gold” to her dedication and discipline.
“My first draft, I was 11. Then I had another draft at 12, and then at 13, and 14, and at 15, so it changed a lot. Midway through, I had to give her a personality and I had to add a plot,” Bemis jokes. “So it was really rough in the beginning … I had to restructure everything, but the basic idea was the same.”
Working on the same project for years would be daunting to some, but Bemis loves seeing improvement in her writing and watching the story blossom over time.
“I did take so long to finally write it from start to finish that I had to revise a lot of the beginning, and even when I read it back through now, I can see a difference from the beginning to the ending,” she reminisces.
In the novel, Natalia Grace is often a reflection of Bemis herself, providing an uplifting example of a strong character willing to do whatever it takes to help others. Her unwillingness to stand by and watch the kingdom in tumult makes her a role model that Bemis wants young readers to admire. The valuable lessons of dealing with perfectionism and gaining self-worth are important to her and woven throughout her writings.
“I read back through it when I got the author copy, and I was like, ‘I kind of wrote myself!’” Bemis laughed. “I just want this book to bless people. At the core, that is why I decided to publish it, not just write it. I want some young girl to read it and walk away with a new way to think about her self-worth, and I want people to enjoy it. I want them to walk away feeling like they had a break from life; I want it to be joyful and helpful.”
“Gold: A Princess Tale” is available as an e-book or hard copy book on Amazon. Signed copies—for a more personal touch—are also available at the Enchanted Children’s bookstore in Collinsville, OK.
Self-worth and the importance of curbing perfectionism, as well as leadership and strength, are valuable lessons Bemis makes accessible to young readers. A sequel for “Gold: A Princess Tale” is already underway, with the first draft almost done, and we wait with anticipation for more work from this talented writer.