Meet Daniel Antion

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daniel Antion. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Daniel, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I have always enjoyed creative tasks, and I try to incorporate creativity into my work. For years, I worked in Information Technology, and I looked for ways to use technology to support my employer’s mission,. On a personal level, I’ve always enjoyed woodworking, photography, writing and storytelling. I continue to pursue these activities in retirement. I write for a few hours most mornings. Sometimes for my blog, sometimes for the book I have in progress. I walk every day and I carry my camera. I take photos I think are interesting and I share them on my blog. I think staying active in creative endeavors feeds my creative spirit.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Since I retired, I have focused on writing. I have authored five books, a dozen or so short stories and I have two works in progress. I also publish photos and stories on my blog three to four times a week. I love bringing my characters to life in a variety of settings, some that I am familiar with and some that I research. In the first book I began writing, the characters became so important to me that their backstory spawned a separate book based on their childhood. Then, the adult versions of those characters became involved with others (good guys and bad) and before I was done telling that story, there were four books in the series.

I chose Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – where I grew up – as the setting for all my books, and I feature scenes from places I remember and return to visit today. The city has so many interesting aspects that make it a great setting. My latest book, ‘Bridge to Nowhere’, was released in July 2024. It’s a dramatic mystery and like all of my books, the story is driven by the characters.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Ironically, the skill I rely on the most was honed when I was an undergraduate chemistry major – a field I never worked in. Chemistry improved my ability to solve complex problems, and, in everything since, I have relied on that skill to do my job or avocation well. I made my living in the field of technology, and learning about technology, going beyond what we see and imagining what could be was the key to my success. The most important thing, and the thing I would recommend to everyone, has been a continuous desire to learn. I love reading. I read fiction, non-fiction, history, and I love reading about new technology. I would urge people who are starting out to learn as much as you can about the skill set you’re trying to develop and the business environment in which you hope to use those skills.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

Our parents instilled in my brother and I, a work ethic and a quest for knowledge. My father used to say, “if you can read, you can do anything.” Toward that end, our mother took us to the library (Bookmobile) on a regular basis. Our father worked two jobs, and our mother worked, so they could afford to live in a neighborhood with a good school system. We worked with them, both in paying jobs and in tasks around our house and while helping others. Our parents taught us to share the skills we had with people who needed our help. They taught us that everybody was worthy of our respect (unless they proved otherwise) and that we could learn something from everyone we met. They taught us to take pride in our work, whether it was something interesting we were trying to build, or a mundane task like cutting the grass. My father passed away over 40 years ago, but I still think of him when I’m working, especially when I briefly consider taking a shortcut.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Daniel Antion, Faith Antion

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