We recently connected with D.l. Howard and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, D.L. thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you take vacations? Why or why not?

Yes, I love vacations. I call them my little mental health breaks. With writing and being an indie author, it’s mainly a one-person job with the writing part, but it can still get stressful. You have deadlines, goals, marketing, and doing your best to have a social media presence. Plus, I work a full-time job on top of all this. It’s a lot of hard work. At some point, yes, you’re going to need that vacation. So, do it!
When I take that much needed trip, it allows me to relax, rejuvenate, and refocus on my goals and the things I have planned. Sometimes, I’m inspired by my surroundings and that helps when I’m world-building for a new story. When I get back to the business of being an author, I’m bringing fresh ideas and it’s because of those long or short mini vacations that helped tremendously.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am an indie author who is passionate about writing diverse high and epic fantasy worlds that resonate with readers who crave stories with rich cultures, complex characters, and immersive narratives. The connection between mythology and ancient stories has always fascinated me. I was a voracious reader growing up, and that really hasn’t changed. My love of reading spurred my love of writing and trying to create my own worlds like the ones I’ve read. That’s how my journey into writing began. Growing up, there was a lack of representation in the fantasy genre, but I still read what was out there and pictured people who looked like me as the main characters. Then, I made the decision to do something about wanting more stories featuring diverse backgrounds instead of just wishing. The desire to create stories that featured people like me as characters central to the story and not just some side character who disappeared, no longer integral to the story, was strong. I followed my heart, and now, here we are.

I strive to create stories that blend the fantastical with elements inspired by ancient cultures, mythologies, and places I’ve visited. They help shape my imaginary worlds. They’re often filled with morally complex characters, intricate world building, and themes of found family, identity, strength, and love in all its forms. Readers of all backgrounds can see themselves as heroes, villains, and everything in between.

I’m most proud of the connections I’ve made on this journey so far. From the readers who see themselves in my stories, to the authors that have become friends. I’ve had so many people who said they grew up wishing they had books like this when they were younger and now they’re making sure their kids can have what they didn’t. Then there is the amazing author community. I have my tribe of fellow authors where we feel the same about writing to have more diverse characters to reflect us, and we’re out giving the readers what they’re wanting. Writing can get lonely, but the connections I’ve made formed friendships that mean a lot.

For potential readers and new fans, I want you to know that my stories, although diverse, they are for everyone and anyone who loves to get lost in a world where the impossible becomes possible, where the boundaries of reality are stretched, and sometimes a little chaos reigns supreme! What’s a good story without chaos ensuing!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a writing creative is the ability to connect with others through the stories I tell. There’s something magical about crafting worlds and characters from my imagination and then seeing how they resonate with readers from all walks of life. Knowing my storytelling has made a difference in someone’s life is what drives me to keep creating.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think non-writers might not realize how much of ourselves we invest and put into our work. Especially with releasing books for us indie authors. There are readers out there who might have an issue with an author not releasing books fast enough. Especially if it’s a series. They’re asking for book two, soon as book one releases. Some authors can rapidly release them like that, but not all of us. Writing isn’t just about telling a story. It’s about digging deep into our emotions, ideas, experiences, and then wrestling them onto the page. It’s a solitary process, and a lot of times, it’s filled with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and requires a lot of patience. I find it incredibly rewarding, but at the same time, it can be emotionally demanding. So remember, when your favorite author isn’t releasing books back to back, just know, allow them their process because the wait will be so worth it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dlhowardwrites.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dlhowardwrites
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dlhowardwrites
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dlhowardwrites