Dawn Bourdeau Milstrey

Dawn Bourdeau Milstrey is the author and illustrator of The Stone Angel Society, an illustrated middle grade ghost novel (Orange Blossom Publishing, September 2022). First in a series, the book is a collection of spooky short stories with just the right amount of ghosts for young readers. Dawn has been illustrating picture books since 2008 and loves helping other authors bring their words to life with her art. ​

When she isn’t writing and illustrating, Dawn enjoys painting large scale landscapes and teaching art and illustration at the local college. Dawn lives in a small town in rural New Jersey where she and her husband raised their three amazing daughters. The family shares their home with two cocker spaniels, a pair of birds, several fish...and a few ghosts! ​

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Interview with Dawn Bourdeau Milstrey

Thank you Dawn, for taking the time to chat with me!

​When did you know you wanted to become an author?

As far back as I can remember I was jotting down story ideas and drawing pictures to go with them. I wrote and illustrated my own book in elementary school and then bound it with a handmade hardcover. Holding that finished book in my hands was an incredible feeling!

​When did you first consider yourself a writer?

The first time I sat down to write a story. You are a writer even if it is only for yourself!

Who is your biggest inspiration?

Young readers...I love the possibility that something I create could help a child to become a better reader. Books open up endless worlds to kids and help them grow healthy imaginations!

​How do you come up with your ideas?

My imagination tends to run wild, so everything I see and hear triggers "What if..." and sometimes that blossoms into an idea!

Are your characters inspired by or based on real-life people?

They are inspired by the many ghosts in my life. I have lost people that I miss so much and it is a comfort to imagine that their "ghosts" are still hanging around.

What comes first, the plot or the characters?

The plot...I build on "what if" in outline form and then the characters sort of arrive on the scene and take their place.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

When editing a story, I like to read it out loud with emotion to feel the action in the words. My dogs are great listeners!

How did publishing your first book change your writing career?

Publishing gives you confidence. I had written for decades, only sharing my stories with very few people. Now, I feel good that everyone and anyone who wants to read my work is able to do so. It has opened me up to having some wonderful conversations about my characters.

Have you ever gotten writer's block? How did you work through it?

Oh yes, and the cure for me is to walk away. I go off and do something totally unrelated to the story and then I return to my work with fresh ideas!

What are you working on now?

I am relaxing after getting The Stone Angel Society Journal Three ready for its August 13th release.

What advice would you give aspiring authors?

Let your imagination run wild! Sit down, close your eyes and let your thoughts play out in your mind like a movie...your characters will take it from there.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Family is first of course, but I love to paint landscapes with expressive clouds. I also teach art classes at the community college.

What are three things that are unique about you?

1. I love to bake using old family recipes.
2. I have been a vegetarian since I was ten years old.
​3. I believe in ghosts :)

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