Meet Dorothy Deene | Storyteller & Author

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

Hi Dorothy, what are you inspired by?
I’m inspired by people and their stories. I’ve always felt incredibly honored when people I meet openly share their life stories with me. I’ve always been fascinated by the human condition—how we navigate our lives, the paths we choose, the dreams we have, how we fall in love, fall apart, make a mess of things, carry guilt and regret, and how, when we keep going and don’t give up, we heal and grow. I’m compelled to write about our experiences as we navigate the often complex and bittersweet journey of life. For me, writing stories has always been a way to help make sense of the imperfectness of being human. I strive to capture the private struggles, the ache of unspoken words, the humor hidden in our everyday awkwardness, and the silent strength we carry when the world expects us to crumble.

My hope is that my stories not only entertain but also help others feel seen, understood, and less alone.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always been a storyteller. I remember as a child making up elaborate stories about people and even animals that I’d come into contact with. As an adult writer, I’m drawn to the intimate inner workings and struggles of the human experience. I think what sets my stories apart is the raw honesty I strive to capture in every character, in every moment, when I write. Ultimately, I want to show through my stories that we can still find glimmers of hope even when our world feels as if it’s falling apart.

I have two YA novels out in the world: THE GRAVITY OF LIES, a fictionalized story loosely based on actual events that occurred while my daughter and I worked in the entertainment industry here in LA. The story is about a girl who is searching for her father while struggling as an actress in Hollywood. THE WEIGHT OF WATER is a story that delves into the many facets of loss we often experience throughout our lives. My protagonist loses herself after a sudden death in the family and it’s about her difficult journey to find her way back from grief and guilt.

My journey as a writer hasn’t always been easy. I’ve had my share of self-doubt, detours, rejection, and the ever-present noise of comparison. My debut, The Gravity of Lies, was picked up by a publisher that went out of business two years after they published my book. I had to essentially start over, and once I regained my rights to my book, I decided to self-publish my novels under my imprint, Runaway June Books.  Self-publishing has allowed me the power to make decisions and explore options for my books that I wasn’t able to when I was traditionally published, thus creating more opportunities for success.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along this publishing journey is that even when I’m faced with obstacles, I don’t let them stop me from doing what I love and believe in. I’m determined to keep going no matter what.

What I’m most proud of is how readers connect with my characters. I’ve had readers tell me, “I felt like you were writing about me,” or “I don’t feel so alone after reading your book.” That’s everything to me. I want my stories to be like holding up a mirror to our struggles and saying, “You’re not alone in this. You gotta hold on because you will get through it.”

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?
A day at The Santa Monica Pier. We had a friend visiting from Japan, and after taking her to just about every possible entertainment spot around LA, she said her favorite experience was spending the day at the Santa Monica Pier. She loved the vibe, the rides, the famous carousel, the art stands, and playing games while taking in the incredible ocean views.

Dinner: Din Tai Fung, Santa Monica. You can sit inside the Dumpling Steamer Box. If you love dumplings, it’s the place to go.

A trip to The Last Bookstore in Downtown. It’s a dreamy, whimsical place filled with tunnels made of books and rare finds. The place boasts an vast array of books and art, making it a great spot to take pictures.

Lunch and leisure: République Cafe and Bakery Restaurant, Los Angeles. Touristy, fun and yummy.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like give a shoutout to all the amazing readers out there. It means the world to me that you read my stories, and I’m touched by your reviews and your beautiful messages. And a special shoutout of gratitude to my sister—who has been my cheering section every step of the way along my writing journey. Love you, Sis!

Website: https://www.dorothydeene.com/

Instagram: @dorothy.deene

Twitter: @dorothydeene

Facebook: @dorothydeene

Other: https://linktr.ee/dorothydeene.
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