Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Mastering Storytelling: Author and Screenwriter Dawn Greenfield Ireland’s Literary Journey | Audio Signals Podcast With Marco Ciappelli
Description
Guest: Dawn Greenfield Ireland, Author and Storyteller
Website | https://degreenfield.com
On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/degreenfield/
On Facebook | https://facebook.com/dawn.ireland.18
_____________________________
Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals Podcast
On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli
_____________________________
This Episode’s Sponsors
Are you interested in sponsoring an ITSPmagazine Channel?
👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/sponsor-the-itspmagazine-podcast-network
_____________________________
Episode Introduction
Hello, everyone! Marco Ciappelli here, and welcome to another episode of ITSPmagazine. Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with the incredibly talented author and storyteller, Dawn Greenfield Ireland. Dawn has an impressive catalog of written works, spanning from science fiction and dystopian novels to cozy mysteries and award-winning screenplays. Let’s dive into her fascinating journey and gather insightful tips for aspiring writers.
The Genesis of a Writer
Our conversation kicked off with Dawn sharing the origins of her writing career. Dawn’s literary journey began in an unusual way—through technical writing. In the 1970s, while working as an executive secretary in an oil and gas company’s documentation department, a surprising opportunity arose. Dawn was asked to review some documents, which led her to discover a new talent she hadn’t previously known she possessed.
This realization was a game-changer, and she transitioned into technical writing. Later, Dawn moved on to work at Compaq Computer, where she gained invaluable insights into the publishing industry as a whole.
Transitioning from Technical Writing to Fiction
One intriguing aspect of Dawn’s career is her transition from technical writing to fiction. I asked her about this shift and whether she had always harbored a desire to write fiction. Dawn revealed that her first foray into fiction happened during a long commute to work, where daydreams turned into notes jotted down on a yellow legal pad. These notes eventually materialized into her first science fiction novel, Second Chance (later renamed Prophecy of Thal).
However, the journey was anything but smooth. Dawn’s first draft took years to complete and underwent numerous revisions before it was finally published—33 years later.
The Importance of Editing and Critique Groups
Dawn’s story underscores the significance of continuous learning and refinement in the writing process. She shared how joining a critique group was instrumental in improving her writing skills. The group provided constructive feedback that helped her transform raw ideas into well-crafted stories.
For aspiring writers, Dawn emphasizes the importance of finding a critique group or, at the very least, a good editor or proofreader to help polish one’s work.
Adapting Books into Screenplays
As an author who has also delved into screenwriting, Dawn explained the distinctions between writing novels and screenplays. While novels allow for expansive descriptions and detailed storytelli