Dawn Dumont launches second book
- EFN Staff | October 28, 2014
Dawn Dumont is a one of a kind comedian, playwright, writer and one of our most popular columnists. Her 700 words of hilarity a month always has our readers asking for more Dawn. Fear not dear readers now you can enjoy Dawn and her story telling in a book that is exactly 297 pages long and will take you a lot longer to read.
Rose’s Run (not to be confused with her first book, Nobody Cries at Bingo, which is only 289 pages long) is a story about Rose Okanese, a single mother with two kids who has been pushed into a corner by Rez citizens to claim some self-respect, and decides that the fastest way to do that is to run the reserve’s annual marathon. Though Rose hasn’t run in twenty years, smokes, and initially has little motivation, she announces her intention to run the race. Next thing you know, an old demon that feeds on the strength of women is called forth by her teen daughter and mayhem ensues on the Rez.
The story is funny and eerie and about mothers love, friendships, lust and of course Rez humour. Since Dawn and I have communicated almost exclusively by email for most of the almost two years she has been writing for us, we figured we would just email her some questions about being a famous writer and other things that pain her cause really, why start talking now?
We strongly encourage you to buy her book at McNally Robinson or at bookstores everywhere or even on the web. It is a great story and will make a great Christmas present after you read it (just remember to not crack the spine, works like a charm).
EFN: You have a law degree.....yet you are not a lawyer. Why did you choose the poverty of being a writer when you could have taken on the world...or at least made good money?
Dawn: I swallowed the Oprah, "follow your bliss" koolaid. Oprah also said that if you followed your bliss, you would get everything you ever wanted. But there is some fine print that the brown goddess did not mention - you better hope your ass is lucky as hell or you will be eating a lot of noodles. And have you ever read the ingredients on those packages? I think it would be healthier to boil and eat your dog's fur.
EFN: When you write your columns, your family seems to be your favourite topic and characters. Does this mean Rose Okanese is fashioned after a family member? Mom perhaps?
Dawn: Nope, Rose Okanese is her own person. I don't think I've ever written a character that was more herself than Rose. Sometimes I write a character and I will base it on someone I know - I even use their name in the first draft and then change it later. But Rose was Rose the whole way through.
EFN: What does your family say to you about using them as fodder for comedy?
Dawn: It would be foolish of me to ask.
EFN: How long did it take you to write the book?
Dawn: No idea. I remember writing the first 45 pages when I was living in Edmonton and I called one of my friends and said, "hey I wrote 45 pages this weekend" and he was like, "oh do you know where the cheapest place is to get my oil changed?" Then after that I think it slowed quite a bit. Also the cheapest oil changes are the ones you do yourself.
EFN: How is Rose’s Run different from Nobody Cries at Bingo?
Dawn: It's a novel. It's supernatural. It's scary. I'm not in it. All of these are my favourite things.
EFN: What is more fun, doing Fish Out of Water on APTN, writing alone in your basement, or doing stand up comedy in a remote northern community?
Dawn: Probably being on a trampoline with my nieces and double-jumping to make them fall.
EFN: If an aspiring writer came to you for advice, what would you tell them?
Dawn: Pick a story and write all the way through until you are done. Share your work often (open mics, readings with friends, etc.) but keep writing until it is done. Even if it feels like its crap (and it probably is) you should finish because you can fix a lot in the edit. Finishing things gives you confidence and gives you energy for the next project. One completed draft is better than a hundred half finished stories.
EFN: Who is your favourite writer and why?
Dawn: Richard Van Camp because his writing is sweet, hopeful, and hilarious.
EFN: Give us your three favourite books.
Dawn: The Lesser Blessed, Naked (David Sedaris), and The Bingo Palace (Louise Erdrich)
EFN: Where is the oddest place you have ever signed someone’s “book”?
Dawn: In the bathroom of a bookstore - they were stealing it. Which I guess makes me an accessory.
EFN: Ever get tired of being a famous writer?
Dawn: Here is my idea of fame: When i was performing comedy at yuk yuk's in Edmonton there was always a sign outside the club that said, "Comedians and half-price prime rib." I'd watch people look at the sign and say, "wow half price prime rib." Someday I would like to be more of a draw than half price prime rib. Hell I'd even take being a bigger draw than free popcorn. Although maybe that's setting the bar too high? Help me, oh dear Oprah!