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A Special Guest - Author Dan Antion

6/6/2023

43 Comments

 
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Hello blog friends,

I have a treat for you today. ​Author and blogger Dan Antion joins us to share a bit about himself and his post-retirement avocation -- writing.

Dan grew up in the Pittsburg, PA area. He and his family now live in Connecticut, but his stories often include scenes from his early formative Pennsylvania years.  

Prior to writing for the masses, Dan had a long career in technology as a systems developer. In his own words, "I made my living creating what wasn’t included by the architects and builders."

In addition to writing, Dan enjoys other creative endeavors: photography, making furniture, building cabinetry, and working in and around his house. He often shares these great loves on his blog.

Let's see what Dan has to say about writing. I sent him six questions, and his responses are below. His explanations and shares found a place in my heart, and I suspect the same will be true for you. Enjoy!  


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You’ve published three books in five months. That’s an amazing feat. How did you manage that?

I wrote the books over a period of almost two and a half years. When it became clear that I was writing a series, instead of the one book I had planned, several authors advised me to hold off publishing any of them until I had three complete drafts. That proved to be good advice, since changes occurred across the timeline. The book I was planning to write, The Evil You Choose, is the second book in the series. On the advice of friends, I decided to write the backstory, and a stubborn character prompted me to write the third book.


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What inspired you to write this series?
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When I was growing up, I had several friends who were misunderstood. Today, they might be recognized as “special needs” children, but that distinction didn’t exist. They were picked on and bullied by their classmates and often ignored by their teachers, except for Sunday School teachers. Some of them died, either from drugs or by suicide, before graduating high school.

I always wanted to create a story for them, and I wanted to recognize those Sunday School teachers. I thought about how little we know about each other while we’re growing up, and how little even today’s teachers know about their students. I wanted the story to make people think, "what if..."


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Which of the characters do you identify with the most? Why?
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Zach and Billy share attributes and experiences from my childhood, and from friends and family I knew as a child. I identify more with Zach, in that my father managed a bowling alley (he didn’t own it; he worked for the Post Office). Billy is a composite character, drawn from my childhood, many other people and some attributes that just worked for the story.

Zach’s adult career wasn’t mine, but it is one I understand well. Many of the family dynamics are drawn from my life. John Amstead is much like my dad, including his compassion for kids like Billy. He hired a lot of them as pin boys, and he helped them become better adults. He always had time for them.


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​What surprised you about publishing books?
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There were so many things. First, I was surprised by how much research was involved in writing fiction. Then I was shocked by how much work was involved after the books were finished. I always thought writing a book would be the hard part. A more positive surprise is the degree to which people were willing to help me, and the acceptance in the community, which has been humbling and heartwarming. I follow many authors, and the Story Empire blog you write for, and I have been amazed at how much these authors are willing to share about the process and help with answering questions and again with promotion.


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​You’ve another book coming out soon. I can't wait to see the cover. Could you give us a synopsis of the story?
​

The next book introduces a few new characters. One, Rachael Todd is a recent journalism graduate who found work at a small newspaper in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is given some old stories to investigate, including several that chronicled the experiences of the characters in the second and third books. As the reporter digs into the stories, she uncovers a group of people who are working against her as she searches for the truth. Redemption, a topic you are familiar with, is a recurring theme, as is the notion mentioned in all the books in the series, that good and evil are not binary concepts—they exist on a spectrum.

I wasn’t planning another book in the series, but several readers told me they wanted to know more about what happened to certain people. Two of my good friends even suggested that they wanted to know more about a particular character. I’m hoping the book serves the dual purpose of bringing closure to the Dreamer’s Alliance Series and is a starting point for a periodic series of mysteries surrounding the reporter.


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Your blog is immensely popular, and I’m one of your fans. What do you enjoy most about blogging?

I love telling stories, and I love sharing photos of ordinary things. The fact that I can do both in one place is amazing to me. As much as I enjoy being able to do those two things, the part I enjoy the most is the amazing community. There are days when I feel my post pales in comparison to the discussion going on in the comments. I’ve met so many wonderful people and I consider them to be friends.


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CONTACT LINKS

          Amazon     Bookbub     Goodreads     Website


BOOK TRAILERS 

          Knuckleheads     The Evil You Choose     When Evil Chooses You

43 Comments
Dan Antion link
6/6/2023 22:47:09

Thank you so much, Gwen. I loved visiting with you today and talking about my books. I’ve answered some questions that haven’t been asked before. I appreciate your support – this post, your reviews, and all the advice you’ve shared. To be welcomed into this community has been a wonderful experience.

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Gwen M. Plano
6/7/2023 06:03:35

It's my pleasure to cheer you forward, Dan. Your blog and books are a welcomed addition to the writing community. I wish you all the best! 😊

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willowdot21 link
6/6/2023 23:18:05

Hi Gwen that's a brilliant interview with Dan. He is a great chap isn't he. This series resonates with me, I was bullied at school by my peers and teachers alike because I was different?!y middle sun is dyslexic so I have seen how he struggled too.
The books are really great and so readable either as stand alone or as a series though much better in my mind if read in sequence.
Have good day Gwen.
If anyone out there has not read the series yet this week is a good time to buy as it on offer at Amazon.

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Daniel antion link
6/7/2023 04:31:42

Thanks for this comment, Willow. I'm glad you enjoyed the series, and I appreciate your support as well.

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Gwen M. Plano
6/7/2023 06:05:51

Thanks so much for the personal share, Willow, and the endorsement of Dan's books. ❤️

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CS Boyack
6/7/2023 05:10:15

Best of luck, Dan. I used Gwen’s sharing buttons in a effort to help.

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Gwen M. Plano
6/7/2023 06:06:49

Thank you, Craig, for the visit and for the good wishes to Dan. 😊

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Daniel antion link
6/7/2023 07:48:20

Thanks Craig. I appreciate the share!

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JILL A WEATHERHOLT link
6/7/2023 05:40:11

The inspiration behind Dan's series is commendable. I'll definitely head over to Amazon and grab a copy of Knuckleheads. I enjoyed learning more about Dan and his writing. Thanks for hosting today, Gwen! xo

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Gwen M. Plano
6/7/2023 06:08:41

Thank you, Jill. Like you, I'm moved by the backstory to Dan's books. 😊

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Daniel antion link
6/7/2023 07:50:26

Thanks Jill. It was so nice of Gwen to share her space. I hope you enjoy Knuckleheads.

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Liz Gauffreau link
6/7/2023 05:57:31

I thoroughly enjoyed your interview with Dan. All of his comments about writing resonated strongly with me, particularly his desire to give his misunderstood childhood friends a voice.

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Gwen M. Plano
6/7/2023 07:14:11

I'm so glad you enjoyed the interview, Liz. I learned so much about Dan in the process, and like you, I resonated with his desire to give his friends a voice. 😊

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Daniel antion link
6/7/2023 07:53:48

Thanks Liz. It was easy to fall through the cracks in the 60s. In many ways, it probably still is. I appreciate your comment and Gwen's support.

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Joan Hall link
6/7/2023 05:57:37

Great interview, Dan! I enjoy hearing the stories behind the stories.

Thanks for hosting, Gwen.

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Gwen M. Plano
6/7/2023 07:15:01

So true, Joan, the stories behind the stories add to the richness of the read.

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Daniel antion link
6/7/2023 07:56:38

Thanks Joan. Sometimes, I think I'm a collection of endless backstories. I remember when one of my friends died, wanting to tell his story. I did on my blog, years ago, but there was so much more to him that most people never knew.

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John Howell link
6/7/2023 06:13:44

A terrific interview, Gwen and Dan. Loved the questions and answers. The images were perfect too. All the best to Dan.

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Gwen M. Plano
6/7/2023 07:16:10

Thank you, John. It was fascinating learning more about Dan. Glad you enjoyed it too.

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Daniel antion link
6/7/2023 07:57:44

Thanks John. Gwen did a great job, and was a pleasure to work with. I appreciate her support and the support from this entire community.

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Vera Day link
6/7/2023 06:47:27

I enjoyed this interview. Rachel Todd sounds like she's going to have her plate full!

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Gwen M. Plano
6/7/2023 07:17:29

It does sound that way, doesn't it? Thank you, Vera, for the visit and comment.

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Daniel Antion link
6/7/2023 08:01:22

Thanks Vera. I'm glad you enjoyed this interview. Gwen did a great job. Rachael Todd definitely has her work cut out for her. I hope she still wants to come back.

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Staci Troilo link
6/7/2023 07:08:37

I adore Dan, and I love his series. (Book three is on my Kindle, and I can't wait to get to it after devouring the first two.) And now I know there's four, or the beginning of a spin-off. So exciting!

You know I'm a Pittsburgh fan, having grown up near there and gone to college in the city. (You can take the girl out of Black and Gold Country, but you can't take the Black and Gold out of the girl.) That's just icing on the cake for me. Wishing Dan all the best.

Thanks for hosting, Gwen.

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Gwen M. Plano
6/7/2023 07:22:25

I totally get that, Ms. Pittsburgh.😊 As for me, my formative years on a farm shape who I am and live with me no matter what city I'm in. I'm looking forward to Dan's WIP. Thank you so much, Staci!

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Daniel A Antion link
6/7/2023 08:09:39

We can't deny our heritage, Gwen. Hopefully we find a way to use it to our advantage.

Daniel A Antion link
6/7/2023 08:08:31

Thanks Staci. I loved staging these books in Pittsburgh. I think the city has so many things that an author can use. The new character gets a good start in the city in the next book. Rachael is from Chicago, but she gets a good indoctrination to her new hometown in Book-4. I hope you enjoy the third book. I think she'll want to stick around. I appreciate the comment and all your support.

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Roberta Eaton Cheadle
6/7/2023 07:23:15

Hi Gwen, it's lovely to see Dan Antion here. He has done very well to publish three books within 5 months. I have book 2 coming up on my TBR.

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Daniel A Antion link
6/7/2023 08:12:07

Thanks Robbie. Gwen did a great job, and I am so happy to be here. I hope you enjoy Book-2. After working on the first three for so long, and then pushing them out the door, I have settled into a more relaxed pace. Book-4 will be out in September. Hopefully, Rachael Todd is willing to stick around and work on her own after that.

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Gwen M. Plano
6/7/2023 10:11:57

Hi Robbie, I know you'll enjoy book 2. I'm looking forward to his WIP. Thank you for coming by and cheering Dan forward. 😊

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Pete Springer link
6/7/2023 08:59:09

I've read Knuckleheads and have The Evil You Choose waiting on the ever-expanding Kindle, so I was fascinated to learn the backstory of what motivated Dan to write this series. I taught a number of students like Zach and Billy, and I've seen many of those kids go on to become productive citizens. In many cases, they came from dysfunctional circumstances but turned their lives around because of role models like John. I always wondered about why Dan chose his characters to be pin boys, and now I know why. 😊

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Gwen M. Plano
6/7/2023 10:14:19

I'm always impressed by your understanding and care for students, Pete. A voice of wisdom - and reason. Thank you for adding to Dan's powerful backstory. 😊

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Pete Springer link
6/8/2023 08:37:12

I appreciate your kind words, Gwen.

Daniel A Antion link
6/7/2023 10:55:44

You would totally understand my father, Pete. He hired these kids, but he made them bring in their report cards. If their grades weren't good enough, he would only let them set pins on Friday and Saturday nights. He picked several kids up on his way to open the alleys, and he gave everyone who needed one a ride home. When they closed the bowling alley, he helped almost everyone get another job (including me). Maybe it was the times, or the town we lived in, but we didn't have many teachers like you. Helping children reach their potential, or at least avoid the pitfalls, is a wonderful accomplishment.

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Pete Springer link
6/8/2023 08:36:06

What a fabulous story regarding John. To be thought of in such glowing terms all these years later demonstrates the power of role models.

Our son got married this past weekend, and I was so grateful that his high school football coach, a man who has made a tremendous impact on Ryan and so many others like him, traveled from California to South Dakota to be there. In large part, Ryan became a college football coach because of him.

Yvette M Calleiro link
6/7/2023 09:24:20

I started my teaching career teaching students with disabilities. I now teach all struggling learners through intensive reading, including my ESE students. I loved this interview and picked up book one. I look forward to reading it. Great interview, Gwen and Dan!

Yvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

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Gwen M. Plano
6/7/2023 10:15:54

Thank you, Yvi, for your beautiful personal share. I know you'll enjoy Knuckleheads. 😊

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Daniel A Antion link
6/7/2023 10:58:13

Thanks Yvette. And an even bigger thanks for the work you do with those students. My brother taught ED and BD kids for many years, and always worked to help students who needed extra help. Thanks for this comment.

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Jan Sikes
6/7/2023 15:12:52

What a wonderful interview with Dan! As an author moving from a true story to fiction writing, I can relate to what he said about the amount of research that has to go into fiction. I am a follower of his immensely popular blog and enjoy the photo he shares along with the stories. Thanks for hosting him, Gwen!

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Daniel A Antion link
6/7/2023 17:41:22

Thanks for stopping here and for your comment, Jan. I think it's a good thing I enjoy the research - it is a lot of work. Gwen did a great job with this post, and I appreciate her support (and yours).

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Gwen M. Plano
6/7/2023 19:01:20

Thanks so much, Jan. Your kind words and encouragement for Dan warms my heart. 😊

Smitha link
6/19/2023 12:24:14

Got to know a little more about Dan and his books thanks to the interview. Reading Dan's inspiration for the Dream series has made me add it to my TBR.

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Marsha link
2/10/2024 22:18:26

Gwen this is a great interview with Dan. He is our Story Chat author on Feb. 23, so I've included a link to your interview. With your permission, I'd like to use the picture and links you've created for his book and also his head shot. I like how concise and yet thorough you are. Well done!

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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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