Today, Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, David A. Dixon author of Notes to my Daughter: Living life and avoiding pitfalls.

Norm:

Good day David and thanks for participating in our interview.

Please tell our readers a little bit about your personal and professional background.

David:

Hi Mr. Goldman. First, thank you for this opportunity. Growing up, I moved around a lot and wound up living in five different states and going to fifteen different schools before receiving my undergrad degree.

Most of those years were spent in Atlanta, Georgia and Kansas City, Missouri. I grew up playing lots of basketball (played in high school, college and some Pro-Am leagues), table tennis and chess. I am from Denver, Colorado and currently live in Castle Rock, Colorado. My professional career began as a computer operator with AT&T.

Over the years, I've also worked for Sprint, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, and Echostar.  My time at these firms has included consulting, IT work and management positions. When I get the chance, I love speaking to high school kids about life and the corporate world.

Norm:

How did you decide you were ready to write Notes to my Daughter?

David:

Well, my parents split up when I was 11 years old. By the time I had reached my late teens, I had watched my mother struggle with various issues (e.g., money, relationships with men, anger).

It was painful to watch and be a part of, because as a young man, I couldn't do anything to help. I knew then, that whenever I was going to have children, I didn't want them to have to go through many of those similar struggles. I started contemplating how I'd be able to help them avoid that.  

As the birth of my daughter became closer, I decided that writing notes to her might be help.

Norm:

What purpose do you believe Notes to my Daughter serves and what matters to you about the book?

David:

I believe the purpose is to help young adults be aware of some potential pitfalls in life and how they can respond to them. Additionally, the book can assist parents with having candid conversations about tough issues with their children.

Because life is so busy now, I don't believe many of us take the time or opportunity to have the in depth conversations we need to with our children.

What matters is I owe it to my daughter to assist her in avoiding making mistakes and potential pitfalls, as opposed to just keeping information to myself and then feeling bad because I could have knowingly done more to help steer her clear of them.   

Norm:

Did you work from an outline when writing your book?

David:

In a way yes. I actually started writing these notes, six months into my wife's pregnancy. A month after my daughter was born, I figured I'd better start putting them into a one specific document. Over the next twelve years, whenever I heard something or had a thought I felt might be valuable to my daughter, I'd write it down in a Word document.  

Initially, I had a series of topics I knew I wanted to touch on and I keep adding notes to those topics. When my daughter was eleven, I started compiling and weeding out the material I'd assembled over the years and the final product is this book. I didn't start this process with the thought of publishing a book. I simply wanted to give my daughter what I thought would be some valuable notes about life.

 A close friend was having issues with her daughter, so I shared some of my "Notes" with her. After she used them to help her relationship with her daughter, she encouraged me to put them into a book. I'm forever grateful to her for that.

Norm:

What does it mean to tell the truth? And what does it mean to tell stories in a work of non-fiction?

David:

Telling the truth means; from your best knowledge and research, you are being as factual as possible. It means being genuine with yourself and with whom you are communicating. I also feel, at times or for certain situations, "adaptability" is a key to telling the truth because what works in one environment, or what is "true" in one environment, may not be "true" in a different environment. 

As far as telling stories in a work of non-fiction, I feel it is helpful if you are able to give examples that support your message. It makes the message more real, authentic, and believable.  

Norm:

Where did you get your information or ideas for your book?

David:

Many were obtained by watching my mother's successes and failures. Others came from dealing with my own successes and failures in my personal life as well as those I've been through in corporate america.  I've also picked up information from watching some of the successes and failures of friends and family.

Norm:

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

David:

I learned that I should listen to my own advice more! I also found out that what I thought would solely be valuable to my daughter, has turned out to be valuable to others. 

Norm:

What was the most difficult part of writing your book?

David:

Definitely the Relationships with Men chapter. I was sweating bullets on that one. It is so difficult to see your little girl grow up and start checking out boys and having boys and even men checking her out. It's uncomfortable, however, I know it is a part of normal life. Writing this chapter meant I had to ask myself what I could say that would truly prepare my daughter to be in the best mental and spiritual place when she starts dating. I needed to think of how I could try to mold her mindset so that she enters relationships from a position of high self-worth verses a position of neediness. As a father and as a man, I know there are a number of "not so good guys" out there and I wanted to equip her with ways to recognize them and avoid them.

Norm:

Who designed the cover of your book and how did you go about choosing this cover?

David:

Finding the right picture for the cover was challenging. Finally, I worked with a friend and when they came up with this one, l just knew it was the perfect one.  

Norm:

Where can our readers find out more about you and Notes to my Daughter?

David:

They can find out more on Amazon.

Follow Here To Purchase Notes to My Daughter (Notes to Young Adults)

Norm:

What is next for David A. Dixon?

David:

In the next few months, I will be publishing a book entitled Notes To My Son as well as my first novel, Pivotal Moments, which is about an inner city teenage thief and drug dealer who almost loses his life, but through a series of events decides to turn his life around. 

Norm:

As this interview draws to a close what one question would you have liked me to ask you? Please share your answer.

David:

Did your daughter like the book? The answer is, yes. She was totally blown away that I'd write a book for her and when I gave it to her, she actually started crying. She doesn't always follow my advise in the book, however, we've had numerous, in depth conversations about it. We've also had some good laughs and some interesting disagreements. Thank you for the interview, Mr. Goldman.

Norm:

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.

Follow Here To Read Norm's Review of Notes to my Daughter