Meet Danee Wilson | Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danee Wilson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danee, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve wavered between scientific and creative endeavors my whole life. Although at school I excelled in science and math, and I was encouraged to pursue those fields for my career, there was a rigidity that simply didn’t align with my passions and ultimate goals for the future. After three years working as an archaeologist and thinking that the next logical step was to do my PhD in archaeology, I took some time to seriously consider my options. I realized that if I had to choose between archaeology and writing, which had always taken second place to a more practical career path, then I would choose writing, even if it was the riskier option in terms of stability (though, in many cases archaeology isn’t much better). I always wanted to be a writer, but I had been told repeatedly, and rightly so, that you can’t live from writing alone unless you are extremely lucky. Fortunately, I’ve been able to find balance pursuing a career in public relations, which allows me to exercise creativity in my work, while also providing flexibility to launch my career as a writer. I don’t like to think of my writing as a side hustle, as it provides little additional income, but rather as a passion project that lets me explore a wealth of subjects and expand my creative horizons.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My debut novel, Murder at San Miguel, was published by Radiant Press in fall of 2022. I was so excited to see my novel on bookstore shelves for the first time and know that I had taken that first and most important step toward being an author. I got to this point through hard work and perseverance – most first-time authors struggle to find a publisher for their book. Rejection is the standard, and you have to push through that and keep trying. Sometimes it’s that moment when you’ve given up that things start to happen. I had taken a break from submitting my novel when one of the first publishers I sent the manuscript to reached out to inquire about the novel. I’ve learned a lot about the publishing industry and being an author through this journey. I’m hoping to build on this knowledge as I move forward in my career.

Beyond fiction, I also write a travel and lifestyle blog, for which Destiny, the rescue wire fox terrier, is a frequent guest. I don’t know how I would have gotten through the pandemic without her. Animals have an amazing ability to support us without words. Travel is another passion of mine and I love sharing that with others through the written word and photography.

I would love for people to know that writers put a lot of their heart into their work and that buying the book means a lot! If you enjoyed a book, please share the recommendation with your social circle, as most small publishers don’t have much of a marketing budget.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Arizona has so many wonderful places to visit! Hiking is one of my top recommendations for Tucson – Sabino Canyon, Catalina State Park, Saguaro National Park all have the stunning desert views you can expect from Southern Arizona. I should also mention that desert sunsets are the best sunsets! In Phoenix, a visit to the Phoenix Art Museum is a great way to spend the day with its impressive collections and exciting temporary exhibitions. I also love going out to San Xavier del Bac near Tucson. The White Dove of the Desert never fails to inspire and the fry bread here is delicious. I would also recommend stopping by the Mercado San Agustin for a pastry and an horchata on a warm day. To get a break from the desert scenery, a trip to Mt. Lemmon feels like crossing into another state and the temperatures are much cooler there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents for supporting my creative pursuits.

Website: www.daneewithdestiny.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danee_with_destiny/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danee-wilson-50672955/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daneewithdestiny/