Dawn DeBraal

What book from your childhood do you remember the best?

It wasn’t so much a book but a series of books. Trixie Belden. My cousin lived next door to me. We would each get different books and were able to exchange them.  Why? I loved Trixie because she was a girl in charge of a group of older brothers and friends who solved mysteries in a time when women were trying to find themselves.

Which other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you be a better writer?

Julie Eger/AKA Copper Rose is a dear friend for many years. She encouraged me to write. We are in a writing group together. She was always head and shoulders over everyone. I wanted to be like her. There are several authors in Black Hare Press whom I admire, but I don’t like to name names. It a matter of comradery we all encourage each other.

Does writing energize you, or exhaust you?

It energizes me. When I get an idea, I need to write it through. Sometimes I can see the whole story in a flash, so I know where I want to go with it, and sometimes it takes on a life of its own. I love that when that happens. If you don’t know when the twist is coming, neither will your reader.

What’s your writing Kryptonite?

Lack of grammar and punctuation skills. I did terrible in English. I was encouraged to take more classes in high school, but I didn’t care if my participle dangled. I rely a lot on Grammarly.

What does literary success look like to you?

What I am doing now. Being able to entertain people with my stories. You don’t go into writing to make money; otherwise, you will be sorely disappointed. My husband said he wouldn’t take my writing seriously until I earn at least a thousand dollars. At the rate I am going, I may never be taken seriously.

Have you ever Googled yourself? I did. What did you find out that you didn’t already know?

I found out a few of my stories were published and was never contacted! That was a thrill. Also that some of the books I have contributed to are published in other countries and other languages. I think I will do it more often!

Were you an avid reader while you were growing up?

Yes, I come from a family of readers, my mother, gave me a synopsis book of great literary novels and wrote in the cover, “From one literary genius to another!” I have a book that I keep in my car so when I’m waiting in line, I don’t get frustrated, I read. I have an upstairs book and a downstairs book……

And finally……

How many half-finished and unpublished books do you have right now?

I have a finished, unpublished 43,700-word novel co-written with Copper Rose. “What the Hell Happened to Joan?” We are both excited about the project, but not sure on how to take it to the next level.  I have several good starts for books, but I never seem to finish them. It is why I love short stories so much. Short and sweet, and yes, it’s complete.