Marilyn Wright Dayton Inspires Readers Through Decades Of Storytelling Mastery

Award-winning author Marilyn Wright Dayton, a masterful storyteller whose decades of writing have left an enduring mark on readers.

Wisdom From A Life Of Writing

Award-winning author Marilyn Wright Dayton shares her writing journey, creative process, inspirations, lessons across genres, and invaluable advice for writers, all while celebrating a lifelong dedication to storytelling.

Marilyn Wright Dayton stands as an extraordinary force in the literary world, her career a testament to a lifelong dedication to the art of storytelling. With over six decades of writing experience under her belt, Marilyn’s journey has traversed an admirable expanse — from newspaper reporting and advertising to radio and television production — ever showcasing her remarkable versatility and creative vision. Now celebrated as an award-winning author, she continues to captivate readers with her gripping narratives, particularly in the mystery genre, where characters like Weezie Hightower and Guy Davis breathe life into rich, intricate plots full of surprises.

Her body of work reflects an impressive range, seamlessly moving between fiction and non-fiction, spanning murder mysteries, memoirs, short stories, and even a delightful foray into books on trivia. Marilyn’s deep-seated creativity and her ability to connect life’s threads into vivid, impactful stories have earned her both respect and admiration. Her upcoming video series, Creative Writing Made Easy, promises to be yet another generous contribution to the writing community, offering budding writers invaluable tools and inspiration.

In this insightful and heartfelt interview, Marilyn shares not only the genesis of her creative endeavours but also her philosophy on storytelling, the challenges of writing across genres, and the wisdom gained from a life rich in experience. Her words resonate with passion and purpose, offering a guiding light to readers and aspiring writers alike. Dive into the mind of a true storyteller whose stories, much like her life, are rich with depth, meaning, and inspiration.

“Marilyn Wright Dayton is a literary gem, blending creativity, depth, and wisdom to craft stories that captivate and inspire.“

What inspired you to transition from a career in advertising and media to writing novels and short stories? 

There comes a time in everyone’s life when the thought of ‘now what?’ leads them to some kind of action – a search for more. When I ‘retired’ I knew I would need to continue to do something fulfilling. I decided to write those books that had been in my mind and heart for decades.

How do you develop the unique and engrossing characters in your mystery series, such as Weezie Hightower and Guy Davis? 

Many writers show their personalities through their written words and storytelling. In my life, I have had the opportunity to meet many people, who left an impression on me. With Weezie Hightower, and her three friends, I wanted to show how even elderly people (early 70s) can still contribute to the world. The four elderly ladies balance one another out solving several mysteries. 

Guy Davis came about because there was ‘something missing’ in the group dynamic.  Guy’s background as a detective/profiler in the New York City police department has helped balance the group. He became so important in the Hightower Series that he earned his own series, from his past detective work.

“There comes a time in life when the thought of ‘now what?’ leads us to search for more.” – Marilyn Wright Dayton

What challenges have you faced while writing across different genres, from murder mysteries to family lineage and personal reflections? 

Many times as someone makes the decision to start creative writing seriously, the question of genre comes up. The best way to make decisions in that area is to test it with writing many short stories from several fiction and non-fiction focuses. That is why I wrote short stories first, then focused on fiction, and finally on murder mysteries. I have found that most of those types of books I have read and have enjoyed, I usually am able to solve the mystery about 90% of the time. I found that I would have written many of those stories differently, with more challenge.

My family genealogy book was begun by my father, and I finished it for him when he passed away. It was a total work of love. And surprises, as happens when searching our past.

When you decide to write your memoir, you need to get past the feeling that you are ‘bragging’ about your life. Once I decided that I earned each and every one of my life stories (so far), I enjoyed writing about them.

We are all storytellers, from the caveman painting on the walls of his cave, to today’s television shows, movies and millions of books. It is in our nature as human beings.

Can you share your creative process for crafting intricate murder mystery plots with multiple suspects and twists? 

Every writer needs to develop a process, once we find our ‘writer’s voice’. I am a ‘plantser’, meaning that I do plan my stories, but then let them flow. I always have a scenario planned, but am never sure how it will develop. The strange part is that the characters seem to ‘come alive’ as you develop them, and ‘they tell you’ what they will do and what they won’t do. As each story develops, I try to make it as complicated as possible, without losing the story line, the focus and of course, the reader. I always add in a little comedy to ‘loosen it up a bit’ as the story unfolds. I add in all the elements of life: caring, deep thought, surprises, a touch of fun, etc. And sometimes the ending surprises even me. We as writers have to remember that there is a reader involved, and we can’t take anything for granted. They don’t know what we know, and we need to lead them along without losing them.

How has your life experience, including your work in media and marketing, influenced your storytelling and writing style? 

Crafting a novel is like telling someone a story. I have been a storyteller all of my life, whether it was as a journalist, TV host, providing marketing for a client, or simply writing a letter to a friend. As we learn and grow over the years, sometimes our style changes, but we need to be true to ‘who we are’, remembering what we have learned and done in the past. I am not an expert in anything…no one is. We only have what we have lived and learned in our lives and careers. I have had many opportunities within my life that have influenced who I am. I find now that sometimes I ‘talk’ with the characters in my books, asking them “Now, how would you handle this one?” And, picturing them responding, it seems to work.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are looking to publish their first book, especially later in life? 

I love that so many people are writing into their later years. We all need to keep our minds active, testing our imaginations and our abilities. Have faith in who you are. Share your thoughts with others. If it is fiction, go for it. If it is non-fiction, do a lot of research. Test yourself. Push yourself. And don’t let ANYONE tell you that you can’t do it, that you can’t achieve your dreams. If your dream is to be a writer, start writing. We as writers know our work best, no one else can really understand what we want to convey, so do as much as you can. Or find out how to do it. Research. Read. Write.

“Think like a writer. Act like a writer. Be a writer.” – Marilyn Wright Dayton

What words of wisdom or inspiration would you offer to other authors striving to create meaningful and impactful stories?

Look around you. Find inspiration and ideas from other people, the news, nature, the world. What do you like to read? Write in that format and genre. Stay true to yourself. The strongest impact will be what you want to tell the world, no matter the subject. Listen to yourself, even if your ‘crazy’ brain wakes you up in the middle of the night with ideas. Write them down, don’t lose them. Because by morning, those creative thoughts will be lost. Be grateful for your life – share your unique thoughts – be a storyteller, as we as human beings are meant to be.

Follow your heart and your mind. Think like a writer. Act like a writer. Be a writer.