Holiday Guest Spotlight: D.R. Markham

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BIO:

D.R. Markham was born in Canada in 1965. After studying at Queen’s University (BNSc. 1988), she became a Registered Nurse and immigrated to the United States in 1990. She has worked in the nursing fields of psychiatry, mental health, chemical dependency, wound care, medical-surgical care, skilled nursing and correctional nursing. Her nursing career has also included positions in management and administration. D.R. Markham has lived in the province of Ontario, Canada as well as the states of Hawaii, Texas and South Carolina. She published several short stories in the 1990s. INVOLUNTARY ADMISSIONS is her first novel.

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AUTHOR Q&A:

1.  When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

DRM: I started writing short stories in 7^th grade.  I continued writing and journaling throughout high school.  During nursing school, I took a creative writing elective.  I took a writing course a few years later.  I published a couple of short stories.  That success prompted me to work on a novel. 

2.  How long does it take to write your book(s)?

DRM: Since I work full time as a Registered Nurse, I have to fit my writing in as work and life allows.  My first novel took me many years to write. 

3.  What is your work schedule like when writing a book?

DRM: Honestly, it’s sporadic.  There are times where I’m disciplined and spend time each day writing.  Then I can go for weeks and months without much productivity.

4. Where do you get your ideas or information for your book?

DRM: Writing a medical/psychological thriller is based on my work as a psychiatric nurse.  Although, no characters are works of fiction and are not based on anyone I’ve ever worked with.

5. When did you write your first book?

DRM: I published my first novel, Involuntary Admissions, in January 2019.

6. What do you do when you’re not writing? 

DRM: As mentioned, I work full time as a Registered Nurse.  I also enjoy painting, boogey-boarding at the beach, and spending time with my husband and my dog.

7. What does your family think of your writing?

DRM: My husband, father, mother and sisters are very supportive.

8. What was the most surprising thing you learned in creating your books?

DRM: I really enjoy writing but the publishing process is challenging.

9. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

DRM: Involuntary Admissions is my first novel.  I am working on my second novel now.  It is also a medical/psychological thriller.

10. Any tips/suggestions on getting started? 

DRM: Just write.  Write anything.  You can always rewrite and edit later.  Just getting something on the page is the greatest hurdle.  Once you get started, it will start to flow.  

11. What do you think makes a good story? 

DRM: There are so many types of stories that can be told in so many different ways.  I do think that characters that the reader can connect with and care about is a priority.

12. As a child, What did you want to do when you grew up?  

DRM: First I wanted to be an artist, then a writer, and then a nurse.  I became a nurse, then a writer, so perhaps I’ll be an artist in my retirement years!

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