Rita here. Today I'd like to introduce Dorothy Adamek. An Australian writer of Historical Romance, she lives at Crabapple House with her Beloved and their three children, twenty fruit trees and Gilbert the cat. A graduate of La Trobe University, Dorothy studied Literature, History and Education. She taught secondary school English and English as a Second Language.
Dotti, you are a regular blogger. What is it called and what would you mainly talk about? Does it have a theme?
Hi Rita. I’ve been writing at my blog, Ink Dots, since 2009. I started journalling my writing adventures and sharing some of the historical details I’ve unearthed in my research. I chose the name Ink Dots in salute to olde worlde writer's ink, and picked up the dots from my nickname, Dotti. Ink Dots represents what I write ~ Historical Romance ~ The Heartbeat Of Yesteryear.
Currently, I post twice a week. On Mondays I interview an historical romance author and most weeks the author generously offers one giveaway copy of their latest release. I love promoting other authors this way, and some return to Ink Dots every year (or sooner) to celebrate a new release.
On Friday I’ve been following my 52 Author Dates challenge. Each week I step away from the writing desk to stretch myself as an author and experience various tasks/excursions I may have otherwise avoided. (I’m a chicken when it comes to swimming in cold water and entering wild places like thousand year old caves.) These challenges are designed to give me a taste of emotions my characters may face in the life I create for them. Following the author challenge has helped Ink Dots grow a faithful readership of those who visit every week to keep up with the fun. http://dorothyadamek.blogspot.com.au
Rita: Every time I've visited I find something that intrigues or amuses me. I don't always comment, Dotti, but enjoy my peep just the same.
I do believe everyone who has ever read your blog gets the feeling you're more than 'slightly' interested in history, as a pre-published writer, tell us what era you love and why? Also which settings are you likely to choose for your novels?
Dotti: I’m a serious fan of most things olde worlde. The Australian colonial era is my favourite. Anytime in the 1800s draws me and I’m currently working on a 3 book series set on Phillip Island in the 1870s. I’m also working on a goldfields series set in Ballarat in the 1850s, with yet another project set in the 1840s. You can read more about why I love history on my About and Australia Pages at Ink Dots. (Ah, I'm with you on that. Two of my last books have an Australian setting.)
Rita: Not all writers find support in this special calling. How are you finding this? Friends? Family?
Dotti: I’m surrounded by tremendous support as a writer. My family cheer ‘loud and proud’ and tell their friends and colleagues about my writing. God has blessed me with many kindred spirits in the book world who understand the peculiarities of the writing life. Readers and writers alike pray for me each day and share the writing road with all its dips and peaks. And I’m blessed to be able to return the gift of praying for my supporters, too. I know this is something not every writer enjoys and I don’t take it for granted. If there’s a writer reading this now, weighed down by little support or discouragement, please message me. I’d love to pray with you. In many pursuits, prayer is the foundational work and writing is no different.
Rita: You've been travelling around lately. Would you share where and any 'take away' thoughts?
Dotti: I’ve enjoyed two conferences and one intensive writing retreat in the last month. Together with thousands of romance authors, (waving at Narelle Atkins and Mary Hawkins) I attended the Romance Writers Of America national conference in San Antonio, closely followed by the Romance Writers of Australia conference in Sydney. As always, the conference experience delivered inspiration and the much needed opportunity to examine industry trends and meet with industry professionals. I highly recommend writing conferences for the enormous learning opportunities. Two of my favourite workshops this year were, ‘Write Faster-Write Smarter’ and ‘How the world's best storytellers do it. Pixar's Secrets.'
In between conferences, I attended a Margie Lawson Immersion Master Class, also in San Antonio. Margie Lawson teaches her own brand of deep editing in small groups of 6 or 7 and I never come away from this kind of writing retreat the same. If there’s one resource I’d share with a fellow author, whether beginning or well established, it’s the benefits of what Margie Lawson offers from her web community in the form of online classes, lecture packets and writing retreats. http://www.margielawson.com/
Rita: It's been so interesting to find out a little more of what makes you 'tick', Dotti. (Incidentally, our heroine of Green Gables, Anne, always asked that her name be spelled with an 'e' but in Dotti's case that is reversed. So from now on, Dotti, the 'e' I always used is now forever banished!)
Dotti: Thanks for interviewing me today, Rita. It's been fun answering your questions. I look forward to welcoming new Ink Dot's friends. Come and say G'day.
Rita Stella Galieh is a scriptwriter and co-presenter on Vantage Point, a 5 minute program broadcast throughout Australia. She has contributed to several US Anthologies by Adams Media and has two Historical Romances published by Ark House Press. Each year she and her husband minister in Buddhist Government schools, prisons, hospitals & churches in Thailand.
Things can change in a heart beat.
http://inspirationalromance.blogspot.com
Follow me on Twitter @RSGalieh
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| Romantic shot of Dotti and Her Beloved |
Hi Rita. I’ve been writing at my blog, Ink Dots, since 2009. I started journalling my writing adventures and sharing some of the historical details I’ve unearthed in my research. I chose the name Ink Dots in salute to olde worlde writer's ink, and picked up the dots from my nickname, Dotti. Ink Dots represents what I write ~ Historical Romance ~ The Heartbeat Of Yesteryear.
Currently, I post twice a week. On Mondays I interview an historical romance author and most weeks the author generously offers one giveaway copy of their latest release. I love promoting other authors this way, and some return to Ink Dots every year (or sooner) to celebrate a new release.
On Friday I’ve been following my 52 Author Dates challenge. Each week I step away from the writing desk to stretch myself as an author and experience various tasks/excursions I may have otherwise avoided. (I’m a chicken when it comes to swimming in cold water and entering wild places like thousand year old caves.) These challenges are designed to give me a taste of emotions my characters may face in the life I create for them. Following the author challenge has helped Ink Dots grow a faithful readership of those who visit every week to keep up with the fun. http://dorothyadamek.blogspot.com.au
Rita: Every time I've visited I find something that intrigues or amuses me. I don't always comment, Dotti, but enjoy my peep just the same.
I do believe everyone who has ever read your blog gets the feeling you're more than 'slightly' interested in history, as a pre-published writer, tell us what era you love and why? Also which settings are you likely to choose for your novels?
Dotti: I’m a serious fan of most things olde worlde. The Australian colonial era is my favourite. Anytime in the 1800s draws me and I’m currently working on a 3 book series set on Phillip Island in the 1870s. I’m also working on a goldfields series set in Ballarat in the 1850s, with yet another project set in the 1840s. You can read more about why I love history on my About and Australia Pages at Ink Dots. (Ah, I'm with you on that. Two of my last books have an Australian setting.)
Rita: Not all writers find support in this special calling. How are you finding this? Friends? Family?
Dotti: I’m surrounded by tremendous support as a writer. My family cheer ‘loud and proud’ and tell their friends and colleagues about my writing. God has blessed me with many kindred spirits in the book world who understand the peculiarities of the writing life. Readers and writers alike pray for me each day and share the writing road with all its dips and peaks. And I’m blessed to be able to return the gift of praying for my supporters, too. I know this is something not every writer enjoys and I don’t take it for granted. If there’s a writer reading this now, weighed down by little support or discouragement, please message me. I’d love to pray with you. In many pursuits, prayer is the foundational work and writing is no different.
Rita: You've been travelling around lately. Would you share where and any 'take away' thoughts?
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| Dotti with James Scott Bell, RWAust '14 |
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| Dotti's Immersion Master Class with Margie Lawson |
Rita: It's been so interesting to find out a little more of what makes you 'tick', Dotti. (Incidentally, our heroine of Green Gables, Anne, always asked that her name be spelled with an 'e' but in Dotti's case that is reversed. So from now on, Dotti, the 'e' I always used is now forever banished!)
Dotti: Thanks for interviewing me today, Rita. It's been fun answering your questions. I look forward to welcoming new Ink Dot's friends. Come and say G'day.
Rita Stella Galieh is a scriptwriter and co-presenter on Vantage Point, a 5 minute program broadcast throughout Australia. She has contributed to several US Anthologies by Adams Media and has two Historical Romances published by Ark House Press. Each year she and her husband minister in Buddhist Government schools, prisons, hospitals & churches in Thailand.
Things can change in a heart beat.
http://inspirationalromance.blogspot.com
Follow me on Twitter @RSGalieh
ACW SCAVENGER HUNT CLUES FOR WEDNESDAY:
Clue 7 from Dorothy Adamek: What is the real life setting of Dotti's Australian romances? http://dorothyadamek.blogspot.com.au/
Clue 8 from Rita Galieh: What is my mother's maiden name? http://www.ritastellagalieh.com/
Clue 9 from Paula Vince: What is the name of my most recent novel, released just this year? http://justoccurred.blogspot.com.au/
The Scavenger Hunt closes at 2pm on Sunday, September 7 (AEST). The winner will be announced on Tuesday, September 9. Good luck!
