Meet D R Berlin

We were lucky to catch up with D R Berlin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi D R , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I minored in Writing in college and The Third Estate Secrets of the Manor has been swimming in my head for years. Now that Mom’s Taxi is officially closed and my presence is no longer needed in the stands on the soccer or football fields, I have the time to devote to realizing my dream. Since the first day I started to outline the story, the words have flooded the pages like a tsunami, and haven’t stopped. This book is the first in a series. I chased a dream and now am a self-published author. I set my goals high and work every day to achieve them.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

D.R. Berlin is an award-winning author, U.S. Army veteran, and General Surgeon with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Writing minor from MIT. A graduate of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, her career in high-pressure environments fuels the pulse-pounding suspense and authentic detail in The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor. Berlin combines her scientific expertise and love of storytelling to deliver a gripping, intricate thriller that keeps readers on edge. Drafted as the unofficial photographer of her children’s sports teams, she has been affectionally dubbed the “Mamarazzi.”

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?

Motivation, focus, perseverance

A friend of mine at work recently stopped me in the hallway and said, “Thank you.” I said for what? She said she was following me on Facebook and watching my journey from afar. She thought, “I can do that too.” She also wrote a book and told me I gave her the motivation to not only finish it, but self publish. If I could do it, she could too.

If you think you can or think you can’t, your right. Think you can, and anything is possible.

My advice? The only person you have control over is you. Set a goal, reach for the stars, and enjoy the journey along the way.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

I read with great interest every word of any book review I receive. An early draft of my novel was named a Chanticleer International Book Awards 2023 – Finalist Clue Division – Thriller & Suspense Fiction. I entered 12 contests that year and won one. Many of the contests offered judges feedback for an extra fee, worth every penny. I learned more from what the judges didn’t like, then what they did, and applied that insight into my future edits.

Fast forward to 2024 – 2025, when my manuscript underwent several more edits, with developmental, copy, and proof reading. I entered more contests, winning and placing in over 50 total!

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