Off Her Rocker

At my core I am a storyteller who always said 'one day' I would write a book, but 'one day' is not a day in the week and so in late 2013, 11-12-13, to be exact, I sat down at my laptop computer and virtually didn't get up until I had written a manuscript I am extremely proud of. OFF HER ROCKER was completed just before Mother's Day 2014, with multiple copies being sent to all my favorite females; very apt as it centers on my paternal grandmother, Hadley, and a series of heartbreaking events she endures at the precipice of her womanhood. 

For me it is essentially a love story - albeit star-crossed love - with unforeseen tragedy and the overwhelming guilt, shame and secrecy that lead to Hadley's mental anguish and inner torment. Historical Fiction remains my favorite genre, yet it was essential that my story have a timeless feel and appeal equally to women and men. Though it is not a lengthy read, I believe its themes and provocations will stay with you for a lifetime. What is unexpected - and so cool - is how the characters and story take on a life of their own and that for every reader, there is something different they relate to. My husband is OHR's unequivocal biggest fan; I swear, he knows Hadley and the others better than I do!  

Fun fact: I am obsessed with dates and people's birthdays in particular, and I got the call from my would-be publisher, Ron Standerfer, on what would have been my late grandmother's 101st birthday. I took this as a celestial endorsement and am humbly grateful Grandma let me share her story, hide out in her skin and have the time of my life whilst doing it.      

I hope you take a look at my personal notes and five-star reviews, and even more, that you take a chance on OFF HER ROCKER.  WINIFRED ROAD...I had so much fun writing OFF HER ROCKER, I decided I just had to undertake the process again, this time tackling the story of my own life, a tale fifty-six years in the making. WINIFRED ROAD is ghost-story-meets-memoir, and it shall be my masterpiece -- or the bane of my existence. It is set almost entirely in my favorite place in the world, our remote lakeside cabin in northern Minnesota. 

My family and I have long-tolerated '"Sara's" shenanigans - some funny, others frightening - but we are compelled Summer after Summer to go back for more and when she leaves us alone, it feels like something's missing. I also tackle the tricky - painful - theme of sibling abuse, trauma and ultimately, redemption. I've discovered it was a lot easier hiding out in Hadley's life and pulling the strings, however they suited me; this time I am the puppet and the puppeteer an abusive older sister. But I believe the best stories are the personal ones. The biggest compliment I have gotten on my writing is, 'When is your next book coming out?!' and so I soldier on.  

❤, Dani