Meet the Team: Dawn Wilson
Meet the Proclaim Interactive team!
Dawn Wilson, Writer
Joined the team: January 2015
Describe your role at Proclaim:
D: I’m responsible for writing web page copy, home page messaging and blogs for our clients in a way that will dramatically help their SEO .
But on a deeper level, I’m uncovering stories.
Every client has a story. These stories are a vital part of their philosophies and their brands. My job is to find the unique, powerful story that captures not only what they do, but who they are.
It’s like being an archaeologist, slowly digging layer after layer to find a unique treasure.
So I guess you could say I’m the writer version of Indiana Jones—only I don’t have a whip and I don’t look good in hats.
What are some of your favorite activities?
D: I love kayaking, especially around the Zeke’s Island. I grew up in the mountains near Asheville, so living at the beach is a totally new experience for me.
I’m also a card-carrying geek and science fiction fan. I can assure you I’ll be first in line for any Star Wars or superhero movie.
What other kinds of writing do you do?
D: I enjoy writing fiction and have had some short stories and a novel published by regional publishers.
So what’s up with you and “The Great Gatsby”?
D: I am totally obsessed with that book. I even named my cat Gatsby!
The novel perfectly illustrates the Biblical saying of what good is it to gain the whole world and yet lose your soul? It’s also frighteningly relevant in our culture where we seem to be obsessed with getting expensive “stuff” rather than investing in things that are of eternal value.
In case you’re wondering about the movies, I prefer Robert Redford over Leo DiCaprio.
Always Robert Redford. Always.
When did you learn you had a passion for writing and what made you want to pursue writing as your career?
D: I actually wrote my first “book” when I was 5 years old. It was about the Lone Ranger’s horse, Silver (I was innocently unaware of copyright issues.) I discovered I really loved creating characters and fantasy worlds, so I continued writing.
During 6th grade math class, I’d write short stories and pass them around the room for my classmates to read. This is probably why I still can’t figure a tip or balance my checkbook.
When I was in 8th grade, one of my poems was published by a small, West coast literary magazine. It was beyond thrilling. Then, when I was 15, I had a poem published by the Baptist Board of Publication. It was printed in their Sunday School devotional materials that were used by churches across the region. And they actually PAID me for my poem!
I was so thrilled that I framed the check and never cashed it. (Which wasn’t a huge loss, considering the check was only for $2.50.)
I think what ultimately “sealed the deal” was when one of my short stories was published in a magazine when I was 16. The publisher of the magazine had been trying for years to get CBS Morning News to do a segment on young authors. When CBS finally agreed, she gave me a call. She said she really enjoyed my story and asked if I’d like to be on national television with her. It was a very surreal experience–I have it all on tape complete with my curly permed hair and HUGE glasses (long live the 80s!)
I guess I can’t imagine a time when I did NOT want to be a writer. I have never wanted to do anything else. It’s truly is a blessing to be doing exactly what you believe you were meant to do!
See other members of our web design and marketing team on our Who page.
Want to read some of Dawn’s articles? Check out:
Ten Tips on How to Beat Writer’s Block
Marketing Content: The Other “W’s” of Writing
How to Keep Your Press Release Out of the Slush Pile
Established in 2000, Proclaim Interactive is an award-winning, think-out-of-the-box digital marketing agency located in Wilmington, NC. Proclaim Interactive provides website design, social media management, SEO and general marketing services designed to amplify clients’ messages. For more information call 910.795.4143.
