Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve just released my debut novel, “See You” and will be publishing my second novel, “The Cricket Jar” in March.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“See You” is my latest novel and although it’s a love story between a man and a woman, it was inspired by the last day I spent with my father. I didn’t grow up with my Dad, and only saw him three times. The last time was when I was 21 and he was about to have his right lung removed due to lung cancer. I travelled up to MA to spend the day with him.
During that day, I got to know him adult to adult and found him so charming and so incredibly funny. When I was leaving, I bent down to kiss him goodbye and I told him that I loved him. I vividly remember thinking that it was the first time I really meant it. He passed away less than two months later.
Over a decade later, on Dad’s birthday, I was thinking about how much harder Dad’s death was for me because we had spent that day together and because I had finally truly loved him. But I also realized that because of this, I had the one thing I had always wanted, a daddy. I could keep that; it would always be mine and the joy of having that was worth the pain of losing him.
That day, the idea of taking that theme and applying it to a relationship between a man and a woman came to me and “See You” was born. It just took me 17 years to finally write it.
It sounds maudlin and sad, and readers report that they do cry a lot, but there’s also a great deal of humor in the book. Like me, my characters get through things by using their dry humor and their sense of the ridiculous.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
All of my notes come to me in dialogue. I started out as a screenwriter, so my characters talk in my head constantly. I take down bits of dialogue and figure out where they belong, create a scene around them.
I also take all of my notes in longhand. That’s a relic from my early days of writing, when my screenplays were hammered out on an IBM Selectric. I miss that thing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, my goodness. So many. I write Southern fiction, so of course Faulkner, Caldwell and all those wonderful icons.
Today, I love James Lee Burke’s sense of place, Elisabeth Berg’s genius at creating beauty from the mundane. Neil Gaiman for his genius and wit.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on “The Cricket Jar,” which is also a Southern love story, but very different from “See You.” Someone said it’s a Nicholas Sparks book made into a Coen Brothers movie. I like that. It’s set in 1974 Alabama and it’s at once lighter and darker than “See You.” Lighter because there’s a lot more humor and quirkiness. Darker because of the Southern Gothic elements, the dead body and whatnot.
It’s about unlikely heroes finding ther own strength and place in the world, about being black and white in 1974 Alabama, and about being a dreamer in the midst of circumstances that discourage dreaming.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m a very grateful member of Kboards.com, where I have learned a graduate degree’s worth of information on marketing strategies and so much more.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Even if you have a hard time believing in your talent, believe in your story and let that compel you to finish and publish.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just write.
What are you reading now?
I wish I had time to read. I’m beta-reading a book by a fellow author from Kboards and that’s pretty much all I can do right now. I miss reading, but marketing “See You” while writing “The CRicket Jar,” plus keeping up with freelancing work – all of that is all I can handle without giving my children away.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I wish I knew. The only thing I do know is that now that I have finally published, after years of setting my writing aside, I will continue to write. I won;t set it aside again. I’ve rediscovered a part of me that I was afraid I’d stifled.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible.
T.R. Pearson’s “The Last of How It Was”
Something from Beth Moore.
A copy of Poe’s “The Raven.”
Pretty odd combo, there.
Author Websites and Profiles
Dawn Lee McKenna Website
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Is there another book to follow Awash? I feel that there are a lot of unanswered questions in the series and a lot more story to be told. I have loved this series of books and want to read more about these characters.
What is the anticipated publish date for The Cricket Jar? Everything I read said Spring or Summer 1 to 2 years ago. But I can’t find any other reference to the book. Is it being published?
Hi Dawn,
You have a great style. I’ve been watching you, Wayne Stinnett and Michael Grumley. I’m jealous. Well, curious would make me more manly, wouldn’t it. You three dominate the “Sea Adventures” category on Amazon. I’ve read all three, and agree you all deserve it. I lean more toward yours, though. I’m hoping to join you. My first “Seeking” book, “Seeking Safe Harbor,” did for a while, even hitting No. 1 for a weekend. However, I have a publisher and he’s pulled back because of some outside pressures. So, I’m thinking of going out on ,my own. In fact, I have a little book, “Legend of the Ocean Queen” that I’m going to self publish early next year. I need advice. Editing, cover and publishing is easy enough. It’s the marketing that stumps me. Any suggestions?served. But,