Ask the Author: Dawn Dugle
Answered Questions (7)
Dawn Dugle
I covered a lot of mysteries as a journalist. Some of those may become plots in upcoming books, so I don't want to spoil that. ;)
But in my personal life?
There have been a few people I've met over the years who had a great impact on me, even though our time together was brief. I've often thought about finding them to thank them or to continue the conversation, but I realize it's probably better to leave the mystery alone.
Some people come into our lives for a reason or a season. Trying to hold onto that too long never works.
But in my personal life?
There have been a few people I've met over the years who had a great impact on me, even though our time together was brief. I've often thought about finding them to thank them or to continue the conversation, but I realize it's probably better to leave the mystery alone.
Some people come into our lives for a reason or a season. Trying to hold onto that too long never works.
Dawn Dugle
This answer contains spoilers…
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Dawn Dugle
I'm at the halfway point for book three in the Flamingo Cove series and laying out the framework for book four.
Dawn Dugle
I was a broadcast journalist for 23 years and there was no time for writer's block when you were on a deadline.
When I started writing my first novel, it was to meet the #PitMad deadline, two months away. But I finished the book well before that and decided to be my own publisher instead of waiting for someone else to do it.
Once I published the first book in the Flamingo Cove series, I set the date for book two to be released. And fans started writing wanting to see it.
So, that helps stave off any procrastination (a.k.a. "writer's block") you might feel.
Nothing motivates you more than having a set-in-stone release date for your next book!
When I started writing my first novel, it was to meet the #PitMad deadline, two months away. But I finished the book well before that and decided to be my own publisher instead of waiting for someone else to do it.
Once I published the first book in the Flamingo Cove series, I set the date for book two to be released. And fans started writing wanting to see it.
So, that helps stave off any procrastination (a.k.a. "writer's block") you might feel.
Nothing motivates you more than having a set-in-stone release date for your next book!
Dawn Dugle
Making sh*t up!
Until you're not.
There are a lot of things that I write about in my novels that are really close to what happened in real life. Sometimes life is crazier than fiction.
Until you're not.
There are a lot of things that I write about in my novels that are really close to what happened in real life. Sometimes life is crazier than fiction.
Dawn Dugle
Read. Read. Read. Anything and everything.
I started reading more in 2019. In 2020, I stopped binge-watching TV* and vowed to read 200 books. (I read 215 books).
In 2021, I'll surpass that number.
It's no coincidence that I started writing novels in 2021.
There are a couple of books about writing that I recommend:
On Writing - Stephen King
A Moveable Feast - Ernest Hemmingway
Save the Cat - Blake Snyder (this is for screenwriting)
Save the Cat Writes a Novel - Jessica Brody
The Save the Cat series will teach you how to craft the outline and "flow" of your story, plus how to create a logline and synopsis (very important when selling your books).
*You don't have to give up TV if that's a joy for you. But I found it was a procrastination tool. I decided I would work on MY stories first before I read or watched someone else's. That made a huge difference in my productivity!
I started reading more in 2019. In 2020, I stopped binge-watching TV* and vowed to read 200 books. (I read 215 books).
In 2021, I'll surpass that number.
It's no coincidence that I started writing novels in 2021.
There are a couple of books about writing that I recommend:
On Writing - Stephen King
A Moveable Feast - Ernest Hemmingway
Save the Cat - Blake Snyder (this is for screenwriting)
Save the Cat Writes a Novel - Jessica Brody
The Save the Cat series will teach you how to craft the outline and "flow" of your story, plus how to create a logline and synopsis (very important when selling your books).
*You don't have to give up TV if that's a joy for you. But I found it was a procrastination tool. I decided I would work on MY stories first before I read or watched someone else's. That made a huge difference in my productivity!
Dawn Dugle
I find inspiration for new stories just about everywhere I go. I've always been curious about the world around me. I love people watching and making up stories about the people I see. Plus, I eavesdrop a LOT!
Seriously, you never know when you're going to get a great idea for dialogue or a story.
My Flamingo Cove series started because of an offhand remark by a consulting client. The statement swirled around in my mind for a few months until Wysdom Ward was born.
Seriously, you never know when you're going to get a great idea for dialogue or a story.
My Flamingo Cove series started because of an offhand remark by a consulting client. The statement swirled around in my mind for a few months until Wysdom Ward was born.
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