Meet Dillon Dodson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dillon Dodson.

Hi Dillon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Bell Buckle is my home. From age 3 to 18, I lived in this small town, making friends and learning about myself. I left high school wanting to be a music journalist. When I realized I didn’t want to study English at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, I moved to Murfreesboro to study the music business at Middle Tennessee State University. I graduated while working retail at Lowe’s and continued working another year before moving to a studio apartment in Nashville, hoping I could find editorial work before my savings ran out.

Freelance writing gigs kept me afloat until I got a social media job at the downtown Lyft customer service office. I finally felt like I had the free time to pursue a passion project, so I came up with the idea to write a book. I started interviewing artist friends while one artist friend, photographer Kevin Wurm, shot portraits of everyone.

During that time I found a new job, at Parade magazine, where I edited and proofread work and wrote my own stories, including interviews with musicians. (I enjoyed the full-circle moments). But everything changed when a media conglomerate bought the magazine for its clickbait potential and let go of the entire print team, including me. Now I’m freelancing again and looking for full-time work. (Another full-circle moment).

It’s tough out there. I’m sure some people reading this will understand the struggles of navigating unemployment and pursuing dreams. My book, finished, is on the shelf. I was trying to find a publisher, but now my focus is finding work. Someone once told me to “play the long game” when it comes to this stuff, so that’s what I’m doing. (If you’re a literary agent, let me know!).

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Haha, no! But I’m thankful for the blessings I have received. My first apartment was tiny, I struggle with depression, my car is old and cranky, and editorial work is hard to find. But I have much to be thankful for, too, and I’m still chugging along.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a writer and copy editor. I love the editorial process behind a story, from writing one to proofreading, fact-checking, and styling (for print and digital) to proofreading again because of all the changes that had to be made.

I don’t know how well I’m known, but if I am known it’s probably for my Parade writing. I interviewed Dave Grohl, Seth Avett, Stuart Braithwaite (of the band Mogwai), the cult writer Amanda Montell and the novelist Anthony Doerr, among others, and wrote a variety of stories about different things. I did some work with Nashville Public Radio and am currently the copy editor for Edible Nashville magazine.

I’m most proud of how I’ve attained goals, and of how I’m turning my love of writing and editing into a career. I’m still working at it and it’s been tough, but I’m enjoying the ride.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Oof…luck? I don’t know. What is luck?

Luck feels like the intersection of hard work, resources, follow-through, and, yes, random chance. But how much random chance plays into that equation is unknown to me. For fun and easy math, let’s say 25 percent.

Contact Info:

• Website: dillondodson.com
• Instagram: @dillondodson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dillon-dodson/ 

Image Credits
Kevin Wurm