Who’s Dawn?
I’m a senior citizen who’s enjoying every moment of retirement. I read, write, garden in season, volunteer at Animatch, a dog rescue, and have learned how to make soap. Even though it has finally been confirmed that I possess little to no musical talent, I continue to practice the piano with help from Bill Hilton on You Tube.
Fun Facts About Dawn
Mugsy
I wrote my first story in Grade 2. It was about my stuffed chimpanzee, Mugsy, and how people thought he was real when we walked down the street.
Beatles
I saw the Beatles live at the Montreal Forum in 1964. My friend and I were in the nosebleed section, but I was within sight of Paul McCartney. This can never be taken away from me.
Mount Wellington
I climbed to the top of Mount Wellington in Tasmania with my older daughter, Nikki. For the sake of full disclosure, I confess that we started from the middle. No, we weren’t dropped from a helicopter; there are parking lots at different levels. We also stopped at the middle on the way down.
Backwards
I can talk backwards. There, I’ve said it. I don’t remember how I discovered this talent, but throw a word at me, and if I can spell it, I can say it backwards. This gift and $2.50 will get me a cup of coffee.
Dawn’s Story
I was born in Lachine, an only child to Roland Brunelle and Jean St. Louis. They separated when I was nine years old, and my mother and I moved from Lachine to Delson. I went from a huge school that housed student from Grade One to Grade Eleven, to a small building with only two classrooms for English elementary students. Grade One to Grade Three in one room, and Grade Four to Grade Seven in the other. I thought it was great. Delson was where I exhaled.
I have been writing for years, but I’m coming to the world of publishing late in life. But then, I have done almost everything later than the people around me. I was thirty-five when I married the man who became my daughters’ father, and was older than most first-time mothers. We’re all fine, thanks. I took my first big trip when the rest of my generation was planning winters in Florida. I am now older than most first-time published authors. Oh well.
Now, let’s talk about writing, mine of course. I author short stories, letters to the editor, letters for Amnesty International, and the occasional poem. I only revert to poetry when prose escapes me, and these works of art never go further than my computer. A few short stories have been published and are available on this website. I can say with pride that most of the letters to the editor were published. Annabeth’s House, which is the reason for this website, is my first novella and is now available from the publisher and Amazon. Once again, better late than never.
You’re probably asking yourselves, ‘I wonder what her process is?’ It’s pretty simple. I turn on the computer and put on a C.D. Roger Whittaker, Harry Styles, and Roch Voisine are good writing company. Roxette must wait for a non-literary day. I’d like to say that I sit and the words flow from my brain through my fingers to the keyboard like water rushing towards Niagara Falls. I’d like to say that, but I’d be lying. Writing is hard work. Almost as hard as getting published. There are writers who put in a full eight-hour day. I feel an enormous sense of accomplishment if I do two or three hours, or 1000 words, whichever comes first.
I am now retired and live in the country with my partner, Pierre, where I write, read, make soap, take yoga, do crossword puzzles, volunteer at a dog rescue, and garden in season. I’m also learning to play the piano at a snail’s pace. Full disclosure, I have also been known to pass the time playing a game or two on my tablet. I have two daughters. Nikki, the older, lives in Australia, and Sam, the younger is in Montreal.
Now you know almost everything there is to know about me. Keep checking in, as I may add a story or two as time goes on.
Thanks for reading to the end.