DD: Not exactly. I grew up in a small farming community where girls were expected to make good grades and graduate high school. After graduating with honors, I expected to marry a good 'ol boy from "around home" and began a life-long career of husband pleasing, cooking, house cleaning, diaper changing, toddler watching, child rearing, and teen guidance. The job description also often included gardening, canning, chicken feeding, and milking, plus plowing and cotton chopping if needed. I didn't exactly go that route. I went to college, married a college guy from another part of the state and we headed out of state. However, I had 18 years of basic training . So . After a few years of husband pleasing, cooking, house cleaning, diaper changing, toddler watching and child rearing I met the above mentioned editor and he changed my life. So it was an editor that inspired me. He liked my work and encouraged me. I should also mention that there was a high school English teacher, Mrs. Cooksey, who provided me with the basic tools I needed to begin my journey to publication.
3. SR: Why do you think you enjoy writing nonfiction?? Do you see yourself ever writing fiction? Why or why not?
DD: I have written fiction and still do occasionally. My first book was a mid-grade novel. My opportunities, however, came in nonfiction. Most of the magazine sales were nonfiction. And I did some newspaper freelancing, nonfiction, of course. After my first non-fiction book I have seldom been without a contract. So it is hard to take time away from a sure nonfiction deal and pursue fiction on spec. However, I love to write fiction. But no more than I love learning while I write non-fiction.
4. SR: What, if any, writing education do you have??? Undergrad degree? Workshops, etc??
DD: I have taken several college level writing classes and workshops plus I have attended a number of writing conferences and plan to attend more. Mostly, however, I have practiced my craft. I write and rewrite now. In the beginning I wrote, rewrote, rewrote, rewrote, rewrote until the piece was as good as I could make it. Then I began another project with the same approach. I was working toward that I million words. I did not know if the rewrites counted or only the finished piece. So, I continued writing . I am still at it.
5. SR: How long does it take to research a book?
