Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann Dallman.
Hi Ann, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m one of the lucky ones because I’ve known since the age of six that I wanted to be a writer. I majored in Journalism Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where student uprisings protesting the Vietnam War were prevalent. I graduated in June 1970. J-School was much smaller in those days with a limited enrollment of about 287 or so. Senior year was a balancing act between student teaching and male-dominated Journalism classes. After graduation, my ex-husband and I moved to Milwaukee, WI where I worked a variety of office jobs trying to break into the writing world.
When that marriage ended 14 years later I was working as the Lifestyles Editor of the former Marinette Eagle-Star. I loved the work but because the pay was low I left for a a one-year stint at UW-Marinette as Marketing Director before returning to teaching. I say “returned” because I’d taught night school and alternative education classes since graduating from college. I then packed up my two sons and moved to Manitowoc, WI where I taught Journalism at Lincoln High School. Two years later I returned to Marinette to work in the marketing department of the former Aerial Co. where I produced a newsletter for 1,200 JC Penney Styling Salons. I eventually ended up on the Hannahville Indian Reservation in Wilson, MI and taught high school English there for 15 years. I kept writing and had several freelance articles published in national magazines. My experiences there led me to write my award-winning middle grade books, the Cady Whirlwind Thunder Mystery Series. I am especially proud that the first book, “Cady and the Bear Necklace” won a Midwest Book Award. That book and “Cady and the Birchbark Box” both won state awards from the Historical Society of Michigan and are Upper Peninsula Notable Books and several other awards.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My writing journey has not been a smooth one but I know I’ve been very lucky. Every job I’ve held has given me valuable experience which helped with subsequent jobs. Challenging? Absolutely but I can’t imagine not writing. Writers write books for many reasons. “Cady and the Search for Family,” the third and latest book in the series, shines a light on an important cause—Murdered & Missing Indigenous People. My hope is that this book helps raise awareness. Like many writers I think about people I’ve known when creating my characters. One young woman, who had been one of my students, is now missing which was my motivation for writing this book. I thought of her often when I sat at my computer writing. I am especially proud that I was able to work with two of my former students from Hannahville on the book which has the endorsement of Martin Reinhardt, PhD (Anishinaabe Ojibway), Professor Emeritus, Northern Michigan University Center for Native Studies.
“(Cady and the Search for Family”) shines a spotlight on the systemic crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. Dallman uses her voice to speak for the countless indigenous women, girls, and boys who have been reported missing in the United States every year. The theme is carried throughout the entire novel, represented in Cady’s questioning and her heartbreak. Despite the seriousness of Willow’s disappearance, however, Cady and the Search for Family remains an uplifting coming-of-age story that will appeal to teens and adults alike.
Adrianna McCollum, Wisconsin Writers Association
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m definitely creative. I attended an amazing concert last week and as I listened to the music I thought about how much I’d like to interview each of the musicians and plotted the photos I’d take to illustrate it. I love finding people to write about and focus in on what makes them talented. I worked for years as a newspaper photographer in the days when we wound our own black and white 35 mm film. It’s very different now with digital formats but I still find the photographic process fascinating.
When I was writing my Cady books I’d slip into the mindset of my 13-year-old character. I think I’ve been very lucky to have channeled her voice. It definitely motivated me and kept me writing. I had vocational testing years ago and the results were: editor, photographer and magician! I’ve been fortunate to have found careers and jobs which fit into those slots.
What makes you happy?
Writing makes me happy. I’ve had my share of ups and downs but writing has also been my go-to comfort zone. I carry notebooks with me—in my purse, my car, scattered around my home. I’m constantly jotting down ideas and thoughts and snippets of conversation, ideas for the next book. Reading a good book makes me happy. Hanging out with my friends makes me happy. Cooking, swimming and walking make me happy. And, at the top of my list, spending time with my grandchildren, my sons and daughter-in-law makes me happy.
Pricing:
- Cady and the Bear Necklace $15.95
- Cady and the Birchbark Box $16.95
- Cady and the Search for Family $18.95
- Price of books: Available at many online sources and from the publisher, Modern History Press of Ann Arbor, MI
- Kindle and Audio versions also available
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anndallman.com
- Instagram: anndallmanauthor
- Facebook: Ann Dallman Author
- LinkedIn: Ann Dallman
