Another week, another edition of my 'Whats your day job?' feature! This week I am handing over to the lovely Dawn, an author from the South Downs. I really loved reading Dawn's answers and I hope you will too!
Name: Dawn Nelson (pen name D S Nelson)
Age: 37 and 3/4
A few facts about you: I live in a quixotic village nestled in the South Downs, UK, surrounded by plenty of inspiration for my novels. I love nature and the learning about the world. I’m married and have a ten month old daughter who keeps me very busy.
What's your job? Author of murder, mystery and intrigue.
How long have you been doing it? I have been writing all my life, as have many authors, but I started taking my writing seriously in 2011 and started self-publishing in 2013.
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| A picture to sum up Dawn's life... |
What do you like best about it? I love the creativity and the freedom my job allows me. I can loose myself in another world. They do say writer’s block is when your imaginary friends stop talking to you. I’d say that’s about right.
What is the worst thing about it? The self doubt. After I've written the first draft, I then do two edits before I let anyone read it. Then it goes through a second edit and several proof reads. I endeavour to produce the best work I can and as with any creative endeavour, during the process I go through a roller coaster of emotions from - ‘This is the most amazing thing I ever ever written’ to ‘Who the hell is going to read this?’ It’s a huge leap of faith to put your work out there for people to read and I’m very lucky to be surrounded by wonderfully supportive family and friends.
Would you recommend it? I think they say ‘Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life’ - I love writing and although it’s hard work to make any kind of headway in todays publishing world it’s worth it and the difference between those who succeed and those who don’t, is those that do don’t give up.
Any funny stories? I was visiting a National Trust property with my husband and we were looking out across the grounds. We were reading about the ha-ha, which is a ditch built to keep the cattle off the lord’s land. I looked down and said to my husband ‘wouldn’t that be a great place to hide a dead body?’ forgetting of course that there were several people standing nearby. With a sideways glance they moved on swiftly muttering to themselves. Thankfully I wasn’t arrested.
What's your dream job? I’m lucky to be doing it right now, but my end game is to get that elusive publishing deal. My current manuscript is out on submission so fingers crossed.
Would you carry on if you won the lottery? Yes, but in a bespoke writing shed with tea making facilities, a beautiful antique desk and blotter and a library of books for research! It’d be a big shed ;-)
A huge thank you to Dawn for taking part, I particularly loved the funny story - amazing! If you'd like to connect with Dawn, you can find her over on Twitter, follow her blog or check out her website for her writing.
If you'd also like to share the story of your day job, please drop me an email.
Thanks for reading,
Wafflemama
