Hey
readers and friends, today I'd like to introduce Dionne
Lister to you, writer, editor, and fellow Aussie. I met Dionne on
twitter
and my xman-psychic senses started to tingle, this woman's
freakin' awesome! This what
you'll find on her bio:
Hi,
I'm a writer from Sydney. I love writing and reading and entertaining
people with my stories. I write web copy, articles, suspenseful short
stories and my blog posts try to be funny. I've also released an
action packed fantasy/adventure novel. As my tag on twitter says, “I
love sharing my stories but I wish they wouldn’t keep me awake at
night.”
Mmmm
… I believe we can add time traveller, shapeshifter, talented
artist, community builder, generous supporter of writers and friends,
and dragon wrangler. Enough from me. ;)
Please
tell us why you love writing, and sell your book/yourself to us.
I’ve
always loved reading and writing. I love it as an escape. When I
write I am totally living within the world I have created in my mind,
to the point that, when I read it back I wonder where it actually
came from. My perception of time changes and writing for 2 hours can
feel like 30 minutes.
The
writing process is actually the easiest in producing a book. The
editing is hard work and the promotion even harder. I think without
writing, even though I dabble in art, I would lose a very big piece
of myself, one that would leave me feeling very empty.
My
first book, Shadows
of the Realm, is fantasy but deals with issues such as coming of
age and building confidence in yourself, as well as the familiar good
v’s evil. There are dragons, and animals are some of the main
characters. There’s also a bit of horror thrown in for good measure
(only a chapter or so)—I think that was my Stephen King influence
coming out. It’s fast paced with lots of stuff going on to keep
people reading. It’s been edited to death (in a good way) and the
cover is so awesome—I am in awe of Robert Baird, the Sydney artist
who did it for me.
If
you could travel back in time and talk to yourself, what age would
you be and what would you say?
I
would go back to when I was 8 or 9. I had a really hard time at
school and only 2 friends. I would tell myself that the kids who
teased me had no idea what they were talking about and that I was
just as good as everyone else. I would say, “Just wait till you
grow up, you’ll find people who get you and appreciate you for who
you are and the rest aren’t worth thinking about.”
If
you had the opportunity to talk to high school students, what would
you talk about and why?
Hmm,
that’s hard because they don’t listen much to advice, so I don’t
know if any of what I’d say would sink in—I remember being a
teenager lol. I think I’d say, I know some of you think it’s
boring to study but having no money and staying in a crap job because
you’re desperate isn’t fun either, and it lasts a lot longer than
school ever will.
Can
you share a defining moment in your life?
The
day I saw the online course for the creative writing degree I’m
doing. Within 6 months of starting it, I had changed jobs and have
never looked back. It has been a real turning point in my life.
What's
on your bucket list that would surprise your family and friends?
I
don’t have a bucket list, how boring is that? I have goals but
they’re things that wouldn’t surprise anyone—like becoming a
best-selling author with people actually asking me to sign a book for
them (preferably one I’d written lol).
And,
because we love them, do you have a ghost/supernatural story to
share? Sort of. When I was 4 months pregnant with my second
child, my first was only 12 months old. My 58 year old auntie had
been very sick. It had happened suddenly. Anyway, my parents came
over to tell me she had died that morning and I was devastated. After
they left, my 12 month old son went to his room and came back with a
small plush Snoopy toy. This Snoopy had originally been given to my
grandfather by my deceased aunt, and when my grandparents died she
gave it to me for my kids. My son had never shown an interest in this
toy before. I have always wondered if it was my aunt saying goodbye.
Do
you believe dragons are real?
Hmm,
in my mind they are ;).
Simon
says: I asked because I see dragons the same way that I see angels,
and I was hoping for some company in the padded room :).
Where's
Dionne?
I’m
a Sydneysider who has a lot going on right now. I have two children,
4 and 5 years old, I work 3 days a week doing copy (writing) jobs, I
do uni, play Oztag, touch football and do life drawing once a week. I
think I’m going insane because I’ve taken too much on (or maybe I
was already crazy), but I like to be busy. Promoting the book is also
taking a lot of my time and I’ve convinced four book stores in
Sydney to have a look, I’m even thinking of getting posters done so
I’m very excited.
I’m
hoping to start my second book in the Circle of Talia series after
the next Session of uni finishes, in about October, as I’ve already
had some inspiring feedback from the first book, Shadows
of the Realm. It’s
hard to be motivated when you’re not sure if you’re on the right
track, but the awesome readers who have given it a go, have had
wonderful things to say, so I’m keen to get on with the next one.
Oh, and I also edit other people’s work for a living, I’ve
recently finished Tonya Cannariato’s Dust
to Blood (Red Slaves)
so if you’re an indie author, check out my website for info.
www.dionnelisterwriter.wordpress.com
I’d
just like to thank you, Simon (a fellow Awesome Aussie), for inviting
me to your space, I’ve really enjoyed my visit, and thanks to
everyone who has taken the time to get to know me a little here.
Dionne,
thanks for being a great guest. Readers and friends, please visit
Dionne's website,
follow her on twitter ,
friend her on Facebook, and say hi :). The dragon will bring you luck ;). You can also listen
to Dionne on her Tweep
Nation podcast, it's loosely based on twitter, a little crazy, a
lot of fun, and for adults. I listened to an interview today and it's
a great platform to connect with authors. Outstanding!
For more Soul Healing, visit
simonhay.com.au
Before booking a healing, please read the
disclaimer
@SimonHayHealer
Simon on FB
Simon on Google+
