A LITTLE ABOUT ME...
My first name’s Danielle, in case you’re wondering. I’ve created this page for those of you who want to know some more about strange little me. Now, it should go without saying that I love writing (because, really, let’s think about that now...) so there’s not much need to go into that fact here. Instead, perhaps this page will help to somewhat define who, exactly, I am (though this is a muddy task indeed).
To begin with, think of someone who’s a bit of a perfectionist. Someone who feels that simply putting time into their day job—or anything else, for that matter—is never enough. Conflict that person with a desire to experience life to the fullest, mix in the impulses of a thrill junkie, and we have... uh, well we have... me.
To begin with, think of someone who’s a bit of a perfectionist. Someone who feels that simply putting time into their day job—or anything else, for that matter—is never enough. Conflict that person with a desire to experience life to the fullest, mix in the impulses of a thrill junkie, and we have... uh, well we have... me.
Acting is a passion of mine, and my theatre background continues to be an important influence in my life. The acting bug began in high school, was my major in university and continues to complicate my life in new and wonderful ways. It feels like it's been too long now since I've been on a stage. The last one, I believe was from this picture, when I acted in a Norm Foster play titled Drinking Alone. I loved every minute of being up on that stage. Believe me, it’s not because I love the limelight. In fact, I’ve always been a painfully shy person. Getting up on stage terrifies me. And that’s why I feed off of it. Remember, I’m an adrenaline junkie. I just can’t stop. Additionally, deep character study has helped me immensely with my writing. It forces me to think of motivation, background, conflict, and to appreciate richness of character.
Yeah, I have to admit it, I own a motorcycle—it seems to be a requisite mode of transportation for the average thrill seeker. I named it Grendel almost immediately (which was really a dig at my husband, who habitually gives his bikes the lamest names possible). I enjoy the feeling of loading Grendel up to go out on extended motorcycle trips, and riding through the mountains is a particularly thrilling experience for me. Most recently, I took a trip into Algonquin Park so I could spend a few days camping and hiking in the great outdoors. Now that it’s winter, Grendel’s slumbering away in our garage, next to the wood pile, and my husband’s fierce-sounding bike, Pearl.
Like my protagonist, Kali, I kick box to keep fit, and have a passion for the natural world. When life gets stressful, the whisper of a breeze or the lapping waters of a lake calm me like nothing else can. I utterly lose myself on even a brief three-day hike, like someone’s pushed an unseen reset button, and I always return a new person. In fact, a number of years ago, I moved from the city into a remote log house right on the shores of a quiet little lake. I knew immediately that this was home.
My husband and I are both teachers in small rural schools, and while we encourage our students to chase their dreams, we also do our best to follow our own advice. Whether it's through writing, traveling, citizenship, stewardship, reading, learning or simply being active, we both strive to be good role models for our students and the youth in our community.
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Almost 2 years ago, shortly after I published, Angel of Ashes and Dust, I donated 2/3 of my liver to save the life of my friend. It took a while for both of us to recover, but he's doing great and so am I! And did you know that the liver regenerates? Crazy, right? So now I feel 100%, my liver has grown back, and my friend is alive and well, spending time with his family. That was one of the most frightening - but incredible - experiences, ever.
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Travel to far-flung locales fascinates me. Visiting new places and experiencing different cultures drives me like little else. I have backpacked around the world four times (visiting 63 countries), and not including Canada, I have lived and worked in Ireland, Scotland and Taiwan. I prefer the off-beaten track, and will often hire a guide to take me to visit with and stay in isolated villages and tribes while traveling some of the more remote parts of the world. And I'll also admit that sometimes, I simply wish to experience a place, even if it's on the tourist track. On my last big trip, I recorded some TikTok videos, chronicling my efforts to write while traveling. If you're interested, click here: author.dhnevins on TikTok.
Oh yes, and I love to read almost as much as I love to write. Hard to believe, then, that I also adore sleep (because, really, when is that supposed to happen?) As with my desire for travel, I am fond of being whisked into other worlds, whether it’s a realm visited through the pages of a book, or an imagined reality of my own. I’ve been a dreamer my entire life, and I’m not about to stop now.
Oh yes, and I love to read almost as much as I love to write. Hard to believe, then, that I also adore sleep (because, really, when is that supposed to happen?) As with my desire for travel, I am fond of being whisked into other worlds, whether it’s a realm visited through the pages of a book, or an imagined reality of my own. I’ve been a dreamer my entire life, and I’m not about to stop now.
