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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 2017)
S moke S ignals NOVEMBER 15, 2017 15 Tribal Elder Sam Dala keeps writing away By Danielle Frost Smoke Signals staff writer On any given day, Tribal Elder Samantha “Sam” Dala will be sitting at her computer, letting her imagination flow through her fingertips as she strikes the keys. Dala, who lives in Elder housing, has been writing in some form since she was 7 years old. “I started with poetry,” Dala says at the Elders Activity Cen- ter. “I like to mess around with it and try out different kinds of writing. But I won’t write bloody, gory books.” Dala, 68, says she enjoys writing “true crime”-style books and start- ed a series, “A Special Case,” a few years ago. It follows Detective Sam and her friends on adventures as they solve crimes. Dala has another book being released in November titled “The Heist,” where the perpetrators rob Fort Knox and the reader follows the characters on twists and turns throughout. “It is going to be so good,” she says. Dala says she is inspired by what she sees and hears in everyday life, but doesn’t research her topics. Instead, she starts writing and lets the words spring to life on the page. If you read one of her books and come upon a character who seems familiar, it’s probably not an acci- dent. “Everyone I know is in my books,” she says. “So am I. My name is Dea in most of my books.” Dala also writes children’s books, inspired by her 6-year-old grand- daughter. “When she was 4, she asked me why I didn’t write a drag- With the holidays fast Library. approaching, Dala says When inspiration from the usual she is redoing her “Hol- sources of television and online ly Tones 1 and 2” books browsing isn’t sufficient, Dala says and reselling them. she resorts to the time-tested meth- Dala says she loves od of many authors: Stop working the holidays and al- and do something else. ready has hung her “I go out, ride around on my lights. wheelchair and think of new things “I had them up be- to write about,” she says. “It’s no fore Halloween so the problem to come up with ideas. I kids could see as they have thought about branching out stopped by,” she says. to new topics, but am waiting for She encourages as- someone to bring it up.” piring writers to “just Of all of her current books, Dala start from the begin- says she loves the dragon series the ning and go for it. Just most because it was inspired by her do it.” grandchildren. And how does Dala “I wrote those mainly for them,” know when her books she says. have reached a conclu- Future goals include writing 20 sion? books in the next year. “If I can do “I just stop writing that, I will be happy,” she says. it,” she says. “You can Besides writing books, Dala says continue on later if you her other hobbies include making don’t know where to blankets, word-find puzzles, and writing poetry and songs. Photo by Michelle Alaimo stop.” Dala uses Harper Me- But you won’t find her reading. Tribal Elder Samantha Dala has written eight dia to self-publish her “I hate to read,” she jokes. books and she has more to be published. When asked if there was anything books and also sells else she wants people to know about them on Amazon and Barnes & on book, so I did.” her, Dala’s answer was simple. Noble websites. Her books also are That was two years ago. Dala “Buy my books,” she says. available for checkout at the Tribal has since written five of the dragon books. One features artwork from her grandchildren. The plot involves three dragons: WALK-IN DENTAL APPOI NTMENTS FOR KIDS <6 mother, Lissy, and two small drag- ons, Liz and Tess, who are learning NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY FOR DENTAL CHECK-UPS FOR KIDS 5 AND how to make children happy by UNDER WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE SEEN AT THE TRIBAL CLINIC. magic and the life they live. The JUST COME ON IN! baby dragons' wings change colors We will check your child’s teeth during any of our clinic hours without an ap- when they are helping others. pointment. Dental check-ups are recommended beginning with the first “I get bored, so I write,” Dala tooth! says. “I just sit down and start working. Especially as you get old- er, there is not a lot to do.” Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Dental Clinic Phone 503-879-2020 Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 8:00—5:00; Thur 9:30-5:30 Gift Making Workshop All are welcome!! Join us and help make giveaway gifts for Tribal Events hosted throughout the year. This is a wonderful way to be a part of our tradition of giving, creating gifts filled with good thoughts and blessings for our fellow Tribal Fami- lies and guests. Main events: Plank house Birthday Celebration, Restoration Celebration, Round Dance, Canoe Journey, Youth Powwow’s, Elder’s Honor day and Cultural Exchanges. (the workshop is a year round event, future events will be advertised at a later date) Dinner provided November 9th November 30th December 14th 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm at the Tribal Community Center Sponsored by the Cultural Education and Youth Prevention Programs