Daily Inspiration: Meet Hilary Dartt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hilary Dartt.

Hi Hilary, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Reading was my favorite childhood pastime; my teachers always said I was a gifted writer. I’ve continued to love reading and writing, so much so that I decided on English as a college major. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I moved from California to Arizona to work at a small daily newspaper. While on an assignment, I met my future husband. Shortly after we married, we discovered our first baby was coming. I’d planned on returning to work for the newspaper, but fate and fortune stepped in, and another writer friend moved out of town and recommended that her boss hire me to fill her freelance copywriting position. That enabled me to work from home while our family grew, and it also gave me the time to start writing novels–a lifelong dream. My freelance career has grown and changed, and I’ve written nine women’s fiction novels and three romance novels, with more on the way.

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Freelance work is notoriously hot and cold! There have been times when I had so much work I was overwhelmed and wondering how I’d get it done, and when I had so little work, we had to scrimp to get by. I’ve also faced challenges in growing my author business; women’s fiction is difficult to market (which is why I switched to romance). Especially when my kids were younger, balancing working from home with mom duties felt difficult. I’ve been fortunate to have a fantastic support system throughout my career. If I’m busy or need to get something done, my husband will send me out of the house to the RV or the library while he handles the parenting. My parents were always willing to help when the kids were younger, and I swapped babysitting with my friends and sister-in-law. In addition to that tangible support, my family and friends have been my biggest cheerleaders, the most important support of all!

Thanks. What else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Right now, I have three main jobs: I’m a staff writer and the editor for a local magazine, I write marketing copy for a local company that handles clients in the US and around the world, and I write novels. In my magazine and marketing work, I’m known for (and most proud of) getting things done and getting them done well. If my publisher or the company owner I work for gives me a project, they know they will receive a finished product they’re happy with on time. That also sets me apart from others: I have the confidence to tackle assignments, the ability to correct course if necessary, and the skills to complete each project satisfactorily. In my novel writing, I’d like to become known for creating characters and settings readers can escape to create the kinds of experiences I’ve always loved as a reader.

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Can you share something that might surprise us?
Because my job requires me to interact with people in person, via email, and on social media, people might be surprised to learn that I’m a serious introvert (many writers will tell you the same!). In a room full of people, I’m an observer. I’m not shy, but I’m also sometimes hesitant to make small talk. In many cases, when I do talk with someone, even someone I don’t know well, the conversations go deep. I joke that during many of my interviews for magazine stories, people cry because our talks touch on emotional topics. Although I love spending time with my friends, I prefer a one-on-one or small-group gathering to a big party, and I love a day of quiet solitude to recharge.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hilarydartt.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/hilarydartt
• Facebook: Facebook.com/hilarydarttauthor

Image Credits
Austin Dartt