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Hey there!

So, you’re probably wondering who I am and why I’m here, right? Well, let’s just say I’m a small-town girl living in this mess of a world with a big dream: to not spend every day broke and in bed. My second dream is to collect so many cool random things that I’m known everywhere as “that person.” My third dream is to become a successful author. Me, in a rural area (actual cows and donkeys and the occasional kangaroo and emu,) where the most exciting thing is the local bar having a mud wrestling competition inspired by a mix of boredom, a love for talking/writing, and probably too much caffeine, I decided to commit to the world of writing. We’re committed now. It’s a thing.

Put up or Shut up

The moment I decided to take writing (and myself) seriously was less of a lightbulb 💡moment and more of a “Hey, you’re already not making money so why not make the same amount and have fun?” situation. I was staring at my bills from brain surgeries my multiple plans and my stacks of random written tidbits and thought “These aren’t the worst, maybe I’m meant to be an author!” Armed with nothing but an unhealthy addiction to procrastination, I took the plunge and I did not bring a plunger. Who knew I could use writing to distract myself from writing (oh, and chores. eek.)

Baby’s First Steps:

Here’s where things get interesting. Setting up my writing space was, and still is a challenge. I’m a challenging case. My doctors have told me. My wife tells me. My mom tells me. My dad, on the other hand, thinks I’m perfectly normal. I take after him quite a bit. My “writing space” is essentially a corner of our office room, inside of the closet. Yes. I’m a gay woman (bi-something if you have to get precise) who writes inside of a closet. I understand. With multiple health problems, I have to use adaptive measures in multiple ways and usually write, take notes, and even read in the oddest of positions.

Next, I started my first (technically the second but first for you) book, which is, of course, a masterpiece in progress. Along the way, I learned the importance of creating an author brand. Like. I know a lot of y’all are more versed in this than me but who knew that having a quirky personality could be beneficial? And sharing it with others instead of just laughing to yourself could get you somewhere.

What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting

Looking back, it’s been a chaotic ride and I forgot to get a bus pass. From all-day writing marathons to the occasional “What am I even doing? I sound ridiculous. How many run-on sentences can I cram into a paragraph and still call it a paragraph?” moments, every step has been an adventure. But my journey has just begun, and I’m more excited than ever to see where it takes me. I mean, if I can make it this far without losing (much more) my sanity, the sky’s the limit, right?

More About Me:

Let’s get personal. I’m Dana. Hi. I am the problem. I have lots a problems. I’m a small-town girl with big dreams and even bigger hurdles. Living in a rural area comes with its own set of challenges, like when closet shopping including grocery stores are a half hour drive away. But I’ve always had a knack for finding humor in the mundane and even in the muddy. My journey has been anything but smooth – multiple brain surgeries, spine surgeries, chronic health issues, and a penchant for procrastination. But each of these experiences has shaped my writing and my perspective on life.

I’m also an avid collector of random cool things. I mean, who doesn’t want to be known as “that person” with the coolest stuff? My wife often teases me about my growing collection, but hey, it’s part of my charm. Plus, she has her own, and I get to tease her back. It’s our love language.

What about you?

Now, it’s your turn! What’s your story? I’d love to hear yours, too! Whether you’re an aspiring author, artist, or small town animal-wrangling writer, share your starting points and what inspired you to pursue your dreams with me. Let’s embark on this journey together – after all, every dream starts with a single step (or a lot of awkward stumbles).

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