Welcome to the book House of Joy, the V, right here on Swellcast. I am your host, Penelope, and we're inviting you into this space where we get together and talk about ancient wisdom, collective consciousness, bringing more love and remembering into the world and into our lives and doing so in community. So today I am honored and excited to interview my friend and author, Don Dean. She is an author, poet, wellness writer and founder of Sisters Like US Wind
Penelope Tiam
@IAmJoydeVie · 0:26
Hello, dawn. So excited to have you here in the book house on Swellcast. First, let's start by you telling our audience a little bit about you. Who are you and what do you do? And then what prompted you to begin your writing journey to write poetry? And how old were you when you got started?
Dawn Dean
@sisterslikeus · 0:59
And then later on, I got into rap music because it rhymes. And as I got older, I started using poetry as a way to release frustration, anger, and as an adult, some with some health issues, depression. I found solace in writing poetry. And that's how I became a wellness writing coach
Penelope Tiam
@IAmJoydeVie · 0:25
You? And do you have a preferred writing style or type of poetry that you enjoy, that you truly enjoy? And this really helps you get that download, that spark of creativity to start putting words down on the paper. Do
Dawn Dean
@sisterslikeus · 1:09
What I do to get downloads of creativity is I listen to music but I also like to read other poets, new and old. But I love my my favorite. I love Nikki Giovanni. I love Emily Dickinson. Robert Frost. Langston Hughes. I like to read old poets to get inspiration. And when I get a download I just write I just write
Penelope Tiam
@IAmJoydeVie · 1:40
They are and to really honor themselves and fall in love with who they are, to remember their history and to let their own inner knowing and connection to the divine inspire their truth about who they are. So tell us a little bit about that and your creative writing and what sparks your creativity and does that then lead into you or guide you into the work that you put out there into the world?
Dawn Dean
@sisterslikeus · 4:46
So the first part of it is poetry, and then the second part of it is short stories of my life, my real life experiences dealing with words that people had spoke to me, that encouraged me or could have damaged me. So cracks in the payment. Two butterfly effects. It brings awareness of how these words can affect us. And then Cracks in the Three would be the flight, us taking flight, which would be coming out soon
Penelope Tiam
@IAmJoydeVie · 0:42
And while we're at it, I wanted to make sure that I remember to ask you about Sisters Like US Win. Tell us a little bit about what inspired you to start Sisters Like US Win? What is your vision or a mission for sisters like us? Win. And how have you been collaborating with women to build up that knowing of changing the paradigm of how we women create our dreams together and pursue our goals together? Tell us a little bit about that
Dawn Dean
@sisterslikeus · 3:44
So that's how Sisters Like US when came about on Instagram and other platforms. Now, because I made a decision and other women that I have interviewed on sisters Like US when made a decision, despite their health issues, despite being a single parent, despite overcoming domestic violence, we made a decision to win. And please check it out. Sisters like us win on Instagram. You can see some of the interviews that I've done
Penelope Tiam
@IAmJoydeVie · 0:36
You. Now, before we wind down this interview, would you mind sharing? What advice would you give to someone who perhaps they've been writing their work and thinking about putting it out there in the world, but they're a little nervous to do that, but it's a dream in their heart to become an author? What advice would you give to someone listening to this to inspire them to take that step, take that leap and publish their work to become an author?
Dawn Dean
@sisterslikeus · 1:40
But if you don't have any readers, then what was the purpose of writing the book? So I would say consider the reader. Have the reader in mind as you write the book
Penelope Tiam
@IAmJoydeVie · 0:50
I know you're on Instagram, but where can people find you? And thank you so much for doing this interview with me. I am just so excited to be a part of your journey and to watch you elevate your work into the world
Dawn Dean
@sisterslikeus · 2:08
Each day that we talk, our friendship is just blossoming and I can't wait to see where our friendship goes. But each of our endeavors as well. When I'm not writing, which is every day I'm writing something, but when I'm not working or a wellness coach, I spend my time with my children and my grandchildren. They re energize me. They keep me grounded, they keep me focused. Spending time with my friends, that uplift me and encourage me