An Interview with Dottie Lee

For as long as I can remember, I have always kept pencils, pens, paper, notebooks, close at hand. My mother said I was born to scribble! For too many years, I believed that description of myself. I began writing in journals when a pre-teen. Now—well, now I am a great-grandmother, eighty-three years spent growing and changing behind me. For most of my years, I have journaled, and from those books of various types and sizes I have gathered materials for three books. I find that rather surprising! Perhaps Scribbler is a very good type to be! One of the more interesting things about me that I could tell you from a great variety of life experiences is that I have had quite a few adventures, plus much travel, but the best is that I was given three sons, and seeing them into the “grown-up stage” was probably the biggest adventure of all! When the boys were in school, I decided to finish my college education—another adventure!

I graduated with highest honors and a degree in English, Business, and Creative Writing. Why did I wait so long to begin to write? Lack of confidence. That is something that’s been embedded in my perception of myself since I was a child. Nothing seemed to change that until guidance and inspiration came in surprising ways. I am thankful for that, and for every step of my life in which I have succeeded, done poorly, or failed. I know that I am loved beyond human love, and I am never alone. Every day is an adventure full of gifts, small, medium, and sometimes wowzer!

I write now because I want my words to be contagious, thoughtful, wise, and filled with wonder. I write not just poems, but short stories and now novels as well! Some days I do need to give myself a little pinch to help me see that I am still that Scribbler, and more. I have greatly enjoyed being a mother and a grand- and great-grandmother. I am grateful for the love my husband and I have shared for sixty-five years. And, before I forget…I am grateful that you have taken the time to read my little “bio.”

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

Inspiration to write Cups of Grace came in an unusual way. My husband has been ill for some time, and we have had the Visiting Angels in our home helping with his care. As the months have passed, I have been searching old journals, and finding “things.” I typed some poems and offered them to one of the Angels to read. Her response: “Why haven’t you published these?” Then I had even more encouragement from the Angels, and with the assistance of an Angel who was a published writer, my first book became a reality. Angels do come in a variety of sizes and shapes, I can assure you!

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I didn’t name my first book’s title. My husband was on hospice for some time, and the chaplain came to visit. When he saw one Angel reading my material, he asked if he could take that batch of poems home to his wife. When he next came to visit, he had those pages in his hand, and as he sat on the couch he asked me: “Dottie, do you know what these are?” My heart went to the bottom of my toes, expecting the worst. Then he said, “These are Cups of Grace.” Wow! I was amazed! His message became the title of my first book.

The second book title, The Children Within, was a bit of a struggle, I think because it is a type of memoir. And the third title, In the Mountain, came to me one day while driving down the interstate, passing a geographical marker in the area where I live. I have one picked for a fourth book, but will be open to others.

Describe your dream book cover.

I don’t have a dream book cover…in fact, I found dealing with that item difficult at first. The Angel of the Visiting type helped me to explore, learn, and try out different ideas, even though I knew that a cup of hot tea had to be on the cover. We worked from there, and I am happy with the results.

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

I mostly read for comfort, or what I call “down time.” I have done most of my research on-line.

I read almost every day—from Baldacci and Patterson to James Rollins and Clive Cussler.

I enjoy reading material from authors I have not read before, and will keep expanding my horizon there.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I have worked as a veterinarian tech/receptionist, as a secretary in a variety of places, and then there’s that profession people tend to ignore: being a mother! Mostly, I have done volunteer work of many types, from bookkeeper to office manager to organizer, creator of vocal productions, choir member and soloist, teacher, and, of course, cook. Good experience!!

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

There was no particular person who caused me to desire writing…anything. I will say that it’s been like a seed planted in my mind and heart, always growing and speaking, until I finally took it out into the sunshine of life, and then I knew I wanted to, and needed to write.

Where is your favorite place to write?

Oh my goodness! I think I could write just about anywhere, and I have. In Starbucks or Wendys, on a plane or on a beach, at home in my WACKO room, or on the patio during a lovely spring afternoon, as I am writing this now. Oh, once I stayed at a local hotel for four days while I put the “finishing touches” on Cups of Grace, and began In the Mountain. That was nice, and kind of fun!

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

Start a whole bunch earlier in your life! Do not listen to the nay-sayers! Be patient with yourself, but be persistent. Listen to your critics, maybe chew one bite…but you do not have to swallow (or believe) what they said.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

I hope you will find a harvest of chuckles, giggles, deep thoughts, maybe a tear or two, and even more as you read my book. I have heard stories of people who now keep the book on their bedside table, or in their car where everyone can have a look. I have heard about two women in an assisted living facility who fought over who got to keep (and read) the book. Maybe they couldn’t remember who bought it? I have had people of all ages thank me, with tears in their eyes sometimes, for what I had written and how my words had touched them. P.S. Cups makes a great gift!

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