PHOTO: Anita Dickason: Award-winning author and former Dallas SWAT sniper, blending her real-life expertise into masterpieces of crime fiction.
From SWAT Sniper To Award-Winning Mystery Author
Anita Dickason, former Dallas police officer and SWAT sniper, shares how real-life law enforcement shaped her award-winning crime thrillers and cosy mysteries. Her passion and authenticity captivate her readers.
Anita Dickason’s life reads like a novel itself, but one rich with authenticity, grit, and boundless achievement. From her incredible twenty-two-year tenure with the Dallas Police Department, where she broke barriers as the first female sniper on the Dallas SWAT team, to her award-winning career as a crime and mystery author, Anita exemplifies fearlessness and ingenuity at every turn. Her time in law enforcement spanned roles as diverse as undercover narcotics detective, advanced accident investigator, and police tactical officer, each leaving her with a wealth of experiences that she masterfully weaves into the characters and pages of her novels.
Her accolades are nothing short of remarkable, garnering recognition from the Texas House of Representatives and prominent law enforcement organisations—a testament to her dedication and excellence. Transitioning from chasing justice in the streets of Dallas to crafting gripping thrillers and heartfelt mysteries, Anita has shown that there are no limits to storytelling when guided by a career steeped in truth.
Anita Dickason masterfully transforms her exceptional law enforcement career into compelling, authentic stories that leave readers enthralled and inspired.
In this edition, Anita shares the inspiration behind her books, the risks of stepping into new genres like cosy mysteries, and the extraordinary real-life events that shape her fiction. From crime thrillers packed with sharp twists to the Tori Winters Mystery Series, her works are an invitation to dive into exciting plots built on authenticity, meticulous research, and sheer creativity. It’s no surprise her novels, recognised by Kirkus Reviews, keep readers guessing until the very last page. Prepare to be captivated by the unparalleled voice of a writer who proves that age, like ambition, is just a number.
How do your experiences in the Dallas Police Department influence the characters and plots in your novels?
OMG—my books are filled with my experiences. I worked a patrol beat, was an undercover narcotics officer, was on the SWAT team and a sniper, then rounded it off as an advanced accident investigator. There is a lot of fodder for my books. My characters are FBI Tracker agents, police chiefs, homicide detectives, patrol officers, undercover narcotics detectives, private investigators, Interpol agents, and even a U.S. Marshal and Special Ranger.
In Sentinels of the Night, the serial killer was based on one I encountered. Two of my female lead characters have been snipers. I’ve used my SWAT experience for takedowns In Going Gone!, and Deadly Business. In Au79, the explosive climax came from my experience as an advanced accident investigator. And these are just a few of the examples I could share.
Can you share any challenges you faced while writing the Tori Winters Mystery Series?
I can sum it up as one huge risk. I had built my reputation on crime thrillers. This was my comfort zone, and it still is. I discovered cozy mysteries require a different writing style. In my crime thrillers, the emphasis is on the crime and how it gets solved. In a cozy mystery, the emphasis is on the characters and how the crime affects them. When I started writing Deadly Keepsakes, I didn’t know if I could pull it off. As events transpired, I did. Deadly Keepsakes, along with Operation Navajo, an FBI tracker novel, was selected by the editors of Kirkus Review as their Great Indie Books Worth Discovering. My books have been featured in their magazines. My success prompted my second book, Murder’s Legacy. I am writing the third book in the Tori Winters Mystery Series.
What themes do you hope readers take away from your books?
I write because I enjoy creativity and I like to entertain. I want to provide a story filled with twists and turns to keep the reader on edge and guessing. My reviews have included comments such as—didn’t see that one coming, or I had the wrong guy.
How do you approach the research process for your novels, particularly regarding police procedures and investigations?
Please Police procedures and investigations are easy. It’s what I know. Still, there is a tremendous amount of research for each of my books. For example, a house is torn down in my Tori Winters series. I spent about an hour watching a video on the demolition of a house just so I could build the scene, a short paragraph.
Operation Navajo was probably the most difficult to write as it included the Federal Reserve, the banking system, the Navajo Code Talkers in World War II, and a location in Wyoming. I spent many, many hours researching. I even created a message using the Navajo Code Talker’s code in the book.
One of the features in my books is The Story Behind the Fiction at the conclusion. I detail the facts that inspired the plot.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors, especially those looking to write in the mystery genre?
Diving into writing mysteries filled with secrets and suspense while fun is a bit daunting. It’s essential to understand your genre. The best way to get started is to read books. Study how a favorite author develops the characters, plots, and scenes. I’ve been an avid reader all my life. Since I started writing, my perception of the books I read has changed.
Learn the craft of writing through online writing courses. Join local writing groups. They are an invaluable resource for authors.
As an experienced guest speaker at writing groups, I’ve encountered a recurring question. “What should I write about, and where can I find the inspiration?” The answer is simple—inspiration is everywhere. I look at everyday scenes, pictures, current events, and even historical tidbits to find my next idea.
Don’t let age be a deterrent. You are never too old to start. I was 69 when I wrote that first book.
