We were lucky to catch up with Dani Keen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Dani thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project for me was the release of my debut novel, Chasing Dust. Firstly, I adore this story. It was one I felt in my soul I needed to tell. But the meaning in Chasing Dust came from the literal years I put into writing it.

I’d started novels in the past but struggled to finish them. I didn’t know why but I knew it was something I had to change. That’s when I decided to take a break and really hone my craft. I need to learn how to write well if I was going to have any success. After a year of my self-instructed master class, and a lot of work on myself, I saw a clear path forward.

What makes Chasing Dust so meaningful is how much I evolved as a writer, and a human, while writing it. I had to learn, not only how to write a better story, but how to be a better author. If this was important to me, could I prioritize it? How would I show up for myself and my work?

The most jarring experience of it all was seeing how much perspective I had by the time Chasing Dust was released. I couldn’t believe how far I’d come in pursuit of a lifelong dream.

I still love writing, and find my work improves with each book I publish, but nothing will compare to the feeling of being so scared to mess up, or worse, give up, and doing it anyway. There is an empowering feeling on the other side of that, which is unlike anything else.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Dani Keen and I love writing stories filled with romance, wanderlust and self-discovery. My career as a novelist was birthed from a lifetime of being a writer. It started with jotting down stories as a kid, evolved into a career as a software architect and technical writer, which lead to becoming a novelist. I have always been writing.

But through it all, fiction has been my passion. I currently have two novels published and a third, titled Wrecked and Rising, which releases April 8 2025. If you like a feel-good story, akin to Katherine Center or Emily Henry, but one where the woman creates her own happily every after, then my books are for you.

My love of writing goes well beyond my own novels too. I love storytelling at its core. I think everyone has a story to tell and with the right support, they can openly share it. I currently run a writer’s group in Sanford FL and a newsletter on storytelling, called Keen Musings. Most importantly, I work with fiction writers, one on one, to help improve their working manuscripts.

So often writers exist in the right brain while creating. It’s a beautiful magical place, but it can be difficult to see the components needed to bring a cohesive story together from there.

I saw this gap in other aspiring writer’s work and knew, sadly, that the avenues available to help them were very expensive. I wanted to change that. I believed there must be a way to for writers to create better stories, without it costing them thousands and thousands of dollars. This help should be accessible to everyone.

I began offering storytelling services to writers as a result and it has proven to be one of the best parts of my job as a creative. I get to read manuscripts and give feedback so writers can see how to make their story shine. Sometimes it’s help with pacing, other times it’s character development or plot structure. The feedback is always different but the result is the same. I get to literally witness the lightbulb moments when a writer sees the potential their story has. It’s beyond gratifying.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think the most important way to support artists is to connect with them directly. So often, there is a divide between artists and those who consume their art. People presume artists are just out there, creating in a bubble, and want to be left alone. But it’s just not true.

Artists are around you all the time but are likely too nervous to talk about their creations. So, ask the people you meet what they are working on. You will be genuinely surprised to learn about all the amazing things being created and it might even inspire you to create something of your own.

In line with that, if you love someone’s work, contact them. I guarantee when you send an email or a DM to a creative, telling them how much you appreciate their art, that person does a literal happy dance.

Those one on one connection points between creatives and the world are planting seeds for more interesting and brilliant work. And we always need more of that.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I think growing up, I put I a lot of value in expertise, and out of that evolved an expectation that you needed to be an expert at something to share your point of view. For years, it made it hard for me to speak up. I would always presume someone else knew better, was more educated, more talented, etc. and I didn’t have any value to add.

Over time, I’ve evolved into a new understanding. It’s okay, and moreover important, to contribute to the conversation. I have a unique point of view and my insight adds value, even if I am not the expert.

I am allowed a seat at the table.

Unlearning this has helped me be more authentic as a writer and mentor to other writers. It’s also allowed me to connect with people in a way I never anticipated. So often, it’s through our imperfections that we find a thread of similarity.

And as life often is, this is something I have to constantly remind myself of. When I start to feel imposter syndrome and that little voice is trying to tell me to stay quiet, I actively remind myself to show up. It’s important for me to contribute.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.danikeen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onekeencreative
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onekeencreative
• Other: https://www.danikeen.com/keenmusings