We sit down with award-winning novelist and former CNN senior copy editor John DeDakis—a storyteller whose life and career have been shaped by remarkable twists of fate. From navigating the Vietnam War draft and interviewing Alfred Hitchcock as a 20-something Army broadcaster, to decades in journalism at the White House and inside CNN’s The Situation Room, John’s journey reflects both serendipity and relentless creative drive.
John shares how grief, politics, and lived experience have informed his Lark Chadwick mystery-suspense series, why he chose a young female protagonist, and how real-world events inevitably find their way into his fiction. He also opens up about failure, fear, courage, and the healing power of writing—offering tangible wisdom for creatives, writers, and anyone navigating major life transitions.
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Connect with John:
- Website: johndedakis.com
- Books, classes, editing services, and upcoming events are all available through his site.
- Follow John for updates on new novels, writing workshops, and podcast appearances.
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS
- Serendipity shaped John’s entire career, from being drafted during the Vietnam War to discovering journalism and interviewing Alfred Hitchcock at age 23.
- A long journalism career—including decades at CNN and years working directly on The Situation Room—taught John discipline, story structure, and the power of truth.
- Writing fiction began as a creative outlet from the emotional toll of newsroom life; it later became a second career and a vehicle for processing grief.
- His Lark Chadwick series emerged from deep listening and curiosity, especially about women’s lived experiences, with early beta readers helping him get the character right.
- John believes failure is a critical teacher. His jazz-drummer “crash and burn” moment became a foundational lesson in courage and confidence.
- Real-world events inevitably influence his writing, including themes of political tension, power, and personal autonomy.
- Writing—whether journaling or storytelling—can be a profound tool for healing from all forms of grief and loss.
- Creativity often requires making it up as you go; characters and stories evolve when you allow space for uncertainty and intuition.
- Career reinvention is possible at any stage of life when you stay curious, open, and willing to take intentional risks.
- Listening—to others, to mentors, to the world—is one of the most powerful tools any creator can cultivate.