Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. My name is Dakotah Sanders. I am a person in long term recovery from substance use disorder, with seven years of recovery. I scored a 9/10 on the ACE’s test. I was born and raised in Kansas. I currently work for a community mental health center as a peer support specialist on the assertive community treatment team. I am also a social work student working towards my license for addictions counselling
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “ENDURE: To Suffer with Patience”?
A2. Probably the most difficult aspect was the conversations that had to happen with my family. I sat down with them and told them every story that was going to be in the book. It was difficult for everyone to dig up our past, however, they all understood what I was trying to do with it and were very supportive.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. “The Way of the Superior Man,” is probably the most influential book I have ever read. That book influenced me beyond measure as a man. Other influential authors would be Friedrich Nietzsche and Carl Jung. These individuals influenced my thinking which I believe shows in my writing.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. My favourite place to visit in my own country would be Jack Creek in Arkansas. It reminds me of time spent with my little brother. It is like a fifty foot cliff where people jump off of the water. I just have a lot of special memories there.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘ENDURE: To Suffer with Patience’?
A5. I honestly never meant to write a book. It was a series of events that seemed to push me in the direction of writing. However, I read a book called “The Courage to Create,” by Rollo May. This book inspired me to be creative in some fashion and I chose writing which led to the creation of my book.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘ENDURE: To Suffer with Patience’?
A6. I wrote this book in three months. Then I spent about six months editing it.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. It is on quietstormservices.com and the E-book version is on the Kobo app.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘ENDURE: To Suffer with Patience’?
A8. The book cover is actually one of my son’s baby pictures with my stomach tattoo in the background. I have “endure” tattooed on my stomach as a tribute to my friends who have passed from overdose or street behaviors. In the world of addiction you constantly have friends die. Which poses the question: what is the difference between me and them? Why did I make it out and they didn’t. I have thought long and hard about this question and the only answer I can come up with is that I have the ability to endure great suffering patiently. There isn’t anything magically special about me. I just have the ability to sit with my suffering which is a result of what my childhood was like. So, I got it tattooed on my stomach. I felt like my son’s baby picture was a great symbolism for my book. I am holding a new born baby as a man who endured much in life. My son represents hope, an opportunity for healing in my bloodline of trauma. He represents a clean slate. Me holding him represents the future of my bloodline. I hold within my hands the opportunity to break a cycle.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. My story already existed so I didn’t have to make anything up. I just needed to organize the memories in a way that made sense. My life has been chaotic from the moment I was born until the moment I got sober and even then there’s still some chaos. I think working with editors helps me keep from being repetitive with words but the story itself does not get boring from start to finish.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10. The first type doesn’t need to be perfect or pretty, you just need to write!
Book is available here
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