Dixie Lee Brown Interview Published on: 19, Aug 2017
Do you think your nomadic childhood has in any way influenced your writing?
Absolutely! Moving from school to school as a young child was very traumatic for me. As as introvert, it was already hard for me to make friends. Always being the newbie in the room caused me to speak less and read more. I could lose myself in a book where I knew everybody, and I was comfortable there. I became enthralled at the authors' ability to create this world with larger-than-life characters capable of wringing emotions from readers. That was liberating for me. Of course the obvious next step was to become an author and put my thoughts, emotions and dreams down on a page for someone else to read. I wouldn't wish changing schools in the middle of every elementary school year on anyone, but it's true that we're a product of our past experiences. Sometimes that's a good thing!
Was there any school you attended that you liked best? Least?I'm going to answer both of these questions together, because, in retrospect, schools I attended are a blur to me. In the middle of the 7th grade, my family moved to Missoula, Montana. I started at a new school that was really a 'country school.' There were eleven kids in my class! I spent the balance of 7th grade and all of 8th grade there. That was the first full year I'd spent in one school - ever!Four years later I graduated from Hellgate High School in Missoula. Four years in one place! Amazing! I actually made friends I still know today. It wouldn't have mattered where that happened it would have been the best by far.
Did you have a best friend growing up despite all the moving? Do you still keep in touch?I did have a best friend in high school, and though life took us in different directions, we still keep in touch.
What does writing mean to you? When did you start writing?I started writing in the early 90s. The first manuscript I wrote was, frankly, terrible! Twenty years later, after having finally learned a few things (but not everything by any means) about the craft of writing, I started again. Writing is the best part of my day. I don't know what I'd do without that outlet. If I never published another book, I'd still write just for myself.
What made you pursue an accounting degree?My employer for the past 27 years is one of the best guys I've ever met. First of all, he hired me as a bookkeeper and then set out to help me succeed however he could. One of those ways was by offering to pay for college classes related to my job.
Where and when do you find yourself most inspired to write? Do you remember when you got the inspiration for "Rescued by the Ranger" and where you were?For me, it's a procession of thoughts through my head. Where and when don't have much to do with it. No matter where I am, driving, working or visiting with friends and family, there's never a time when I can't be thinking about the next story or plot line.
What would you want the epitaph on your tombstone to be?She never gave up!
What is one crazy thing you did as a new author in an effort to get your book published?I read - every book by every author in my genre that I could get my hands on. You have to know the market, what's selling and what's not.
Is your family supportive of your writing career? Who, among your family, has read the most of your books?My family is very supportive. The 'most read' award would have to go to my sister.
Why did you choose the name "Trust No One" for your series? Which book was the hardest to write in the series and which was the easiest?As I was writing All or Nothing and When I Find You, which are the first two books in the series, trust issues between the two main characters were a continuing source of problems. It was obvious they just needed to chill out and trust more. "Trust Everyone" wouldn't have made a very good series title (Lol!) so it became "Trust No One." All or Nothing was the easiest to write with When I Find You a close second. The third book, If You Only Knew, was by far the hardest.
Who is one author you deeply respect and would love to collaborate with one day?Lisa Gardner is one of my all time faves and actually inspired me in many ways. I don't know about collaborating. I'm pretty sure she's way out of my league!
Your books feature a lot of military men. Why do you think there is so much appeal in a man in a uniform? Do you have any family members in the military?I think the appeal is there because people, especially women, are looking for someone with deeply ingrained honor, strong beliefs in country and family, and all those muscle's from working out and training don't hurt either! My niece's husband is in the Air Force currently, and my brother served in the Navy during the Viet Nam war.
What does your writing schedule look like? Do you prefer writing in the morning, afternoon, or evening?I work full time also, so the hours between 9 pm and midnight have become my writing time. I do miss my sleep though!
How many unfinished or unpublished stories have you written? Would you ever publish any of them in the near future?I have 3-4 started, 2 finished. I wrote them years ago, and honestly, they'd need so much work, it would be easier to start from scratch!
What is your biggest regret as a writer? What would you do different if you could go back in time?I wish I'd gotten serious about becoming a published author much earlier in life. Everything is better when you're young, right?
How do you usually promote or market your books? What do you like about AllAuthor so far and would you recommend it to other authors?Most of my marketing is on social media. I would definitely recommend AllAuthor to other authors. What I like about them is the professional presentation of the promotional opportunities available. I mean, the page I have on AllAuthor is better than my own FB author page. I LOVE the tweets that were created for my books by AllAuthor too. And there are several other writer related benefits I haven't even tapped into yet!
