Good morning! My “Chatting with the authors” segment today is with my pal D.G. “Dawn” Torrens, author of “Heart and Mind”…come join us!

Click on the cover to get it on Amazon!

Book Description:

Many of the poems in this heartfelt collection were born out of experience, and many were inspired through knowledge gained throughout my life’s journey. There are poems dedicated to certain individuals who have passed through my life and helped shape the person I am today. Throughout our life’s journey we encounter many obstacles and its how we deal with these obstacles that help shape our future as well as the influence others have on us along our way. Each category has been symbolized with an ancient symbol followed by a brief meaning. There is something for everyone in this collection, whether you’re young, old, rich, poor, single or a parent.

TR: Dawn, I am so glad we finally got you on here. How have you been?

DT: Good morning, Thomas. I’ve been great, thanks..thanks for having me…

TR: So, let’s get this party started. How old were you when you wrote your first piece?

DT: I started writing seriously at twelve years old. Writing was a way I could express myself and a form of great escapism at the time.

TR: Escaping seems to be a pretty common theme with writers. I do it, too. What was it, and in what genre?

DT: It was poetry. I started writing poetry seriously at twelve years old, although I had written a couple of poems at just nine years old.

TR: That’s pretty impressive. What made you write it?

DT: My childhood was a dark time in my life, so I poured all my emotions into my poetry. And then it developed from there.

TR: Turning something negative into a positive. Good for you! And what have you written since then?

DT: I have since written two books, Amelia’s story and Amelia’s Destiny. This is my autobiography written over two books. This is a true story of triumph over adversity, determination, and strength of will. I wrote my story for my daughter who is currently almost four years old. I knew as she grew older she would start to ask me many questions, ones I was not sure how I was going to answer. So I started to write my story. I spent a long time researching past events in my life and also gaining the legal permissions needed to complete my story. I wanted it to inspire many people who have given up on their own dreams and who have lost all hope. Hopefully my story will inspire them to never give up.

TR: Okay, now I want to read them!  What a splendid gift to make for your daughter. What was the inspiration for your current book?

DT: My latest book “Heart and Mind” is a collection of poetry I have written past and present. Many people, events and situations inspired this collection. I love writing poetry and wanted to inspire people through my poetry which has depth and meaning. Many of the poems are born from personal experience.

TR: So, they’re a window into your life. Wonderful! Tell us a little about it, and where it’s available.

DT: “Heart and Mind” is currently available on kindle at Amazon UK & US. When I was designing the book, I wanted it to be inspirational, I incorporated many categories so there was something for everyone regardless of what walk of life you came from. Each category is represented by an ancient symbol with a brief meaning.

TR: Fascinating. Is there a particular place or setting where you get your writing ideas?

DT: I am inspired by real life in all that I do. There is no greater place than the “University of Life” to teach you about, love, trust and loyalty and it’s full of inspiration…

TR: “University of Life”…I like that. Nowadays, any writer can choose to go indie, rather than the traditional route. What made you choose either traditional or independent publishing?

DT: I decided with the self-publishing route because it is so hard to get published the traditional way. I like the fact that when you self-publish you are in control of everything.

TR: You’re far from the first to tell me that. So, if you had to choose the most important element in an author’s platform, what would it be?

DT: I am not sure I could pin it to one single platform. You have to be savvy that’s for sure! Promotion, promotion and more promotion. A book will not sell it self and self-published authors don’t have a marketing team working on their behalf. I have my own website and I think that has helped enormously as I have a regular following now.

TR: I agree…a website or blog is crucial from a marketing standpoint. What mistakes have you made in regards to publishing and marketing your work, and what will you do differently in the future?

DT: I have made many mistakes in the beginning which I have learned from. In the beginning I did not market my book enough, I have learned so much along the way, and now make the most of all the available tools out there for self-published authors. I have learned to always use a professional editor for that final polish…

TR: Ah. Yes, the editing. So important to have that done correctly. Tell me, do you have an idea for your next book?

DT: I am currently writing a novel called “Broken Wings” and another poetry book called “Heart and Soul.”

TR: Very nice. Dawn, it was such a pleasure having you here today. I wish you all the best with your work – and in life.

DT: Thanks so much for having me. I am very honoured and it was a great pleasure 

TR: There you go, folks. A delightful lady, and some great poetry out there waiting for you…

Tune in Thursday, when I interview my pal B.C. Sirrom and her novel, “Thrush”. Be there!