My story by D.K. Hood
The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and #1 Amazon bestselling author D.K. Hood shares how she turned to writing in an attempt to take her mind off debilitating pain and in turn created an internationally-million-copy-selling crime series.

Over the last few years, I’ve often been asked why I started my writing journey so late in life. The truth is, I didn’t have the compelling urge to write that I know most authors experience; that came out of the blue for me. I’ve lived with constant debilitating pain for many, many years and was unable at first to obtain the diagnosis of fibromyalgia or to be able to find anything or anyone to help me.
I went through years of being experimented on with drugs that made me sick and decided enough was enough. I tried a last resort, which was pain management. Well, their advice to do more exercise and stop taking opiates was useless for me, because some days I can’t lift my arm to brush my hair, let alone join a yoga class or do Pilates. I’m highly allergic to opiates and just about every substance known to man, so I believed suffering was the normal life for me. I do walk as much as I can, when I can. We live near the beach, which for me is a lifesaver. However, I did take one piece of advice from the lecture and that was to do things that distract the mind from pain. Easier said than done, but I love the beach and so we moved closer. The beach, for me, is a great mood enhancer but only when I can get there.
When I’m writing, I’m not in pain. When I stop, even for a second, it comes back in a rush, so I write as much as I can.
One day after a back operation, I was staring at the ceiling and trying to keep my mind occupied. A story came into my head about magic. The type of fantasy with dragons and witches that I used to enjoy as a child. I asked my husband to bring a notepad and pens to the hospital. The stories just flowed from then and when I lost myself in the world I’d created, I didn’t feel any pain. So how did writing fairy stories lead to Kane and Alton? To be perfectly honest, I don’t really know. I had a crime story inside my head for a time and wrote it down. It was short and I enjoyed the mystery and crime solving. My background is science, in many varied facets that I’ve expanded over my lifetime. Forensic science is a passion, as is the criminal mind. I’m not a reader of crime mysteries; my reading list, all audiobooks, leans toward Harry Potter, Eragon, Outlander and then switches to non-fiction, true crime, trials, autopsy reports, technology and especially the advances in technology.
I was going through a particularly trying time not being able to sleep when Dave Kane came into my mind, from my Kane and Alton series. His tragic back story stuck in my head and refused to leave but it wasn’t complete, or something I could build on at that time. Dave Kane was stubborn, I could almost feel his character, see him and know how good he was inside. Being handed such a terrible blow, losing his wife and his job, he needed a mission to save him. It was around that time that Jenna Alton’s story arrived. Her undercover time as a DEA agent, suffering spousal abuse and bringing a crime syndicate to justice made her a perfect partner for the damaged but big-hearted, loyal and trustworthy Dave Kane. From that day, the stories and the continuing backstory of these characters just flowed like honey into my mind. There is another book waiting to be written before the last one is finished. When I’m writing, I’m not in pain. When I stop, even for a second it comes back in a rush, so I write as much as I can.
So, I had a story written. It was a long novel, but a crime thriller was so out of my ballpark. As it carried a message of hope for the characters, I wanted to share the story, but I write a little differently to most authors and was hesitant to submit it to anyone. I write in the action, so the reader feels as if they are there with me in the story. It’s like watching a movie. It can be very intense, especially when I write through the eyes of a psychopath. I researched publishers, seeing what books were on the bestselling lists on Amazon. Bookouture featured on all the crime genre top 100s multiple times. I took a deep breath and submitted the first Kane and Alton book.
To find a publisher who understands, is transparent and knows that people can achieve their full potential regardless of age or physical problems, is unique.
I expected to wait six months or so to get a reply but then I had a very lovely email from Helen Jenner, saying how she was enjoying my story. This was followed by a contract offer for three books. Someone must be watching over me because after that operation, not only did I receive the gift of writing stories but I was guided to Helen and Bookouture. To find a publisher who understands, is transparent and knows that people can achieve their full potential regardless of age or physical problems, is unique. You will hear Bookouture authors mention #TeamBookouture. This is because each book you read might be the creation of one author, but is backed by a team of incredible professionals.
I am so very lucky to be here.
Forgotten Girls
D.K. Hood
She bites her nails as she steals a glance at the stranger in the pickup truck beside her. She trusted him when he offered her a ride, but now, as he turns onto a deserted road leading into a dark pine forest, she knows she’s made a huge mistake.