Meet ML Dumars | Poet and novelist

We had the good fortune of connecting with ML Dumars and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi ML, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have always wanted to be a writer. As a child, I wrote elaborate stories detailing the life of a child born into different circumstances. I met Gwendolyn Brooks when I was in third grade and she asked me what I wanted to be as an adult. I said “a writer” and she told me to keep writing. I write every chance I get. Now I am retired and can rise every morning, go into my office and write in this intricate world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I wrote my first novel over a few years, stealing precious time at breaks and while eating dinner at the table late at night. I am now retired and can rise in the morning to write in the quiet hours before my family wakes up. I write stories about people who do not have disposable income, and who find creative ways to solve their problems. I write about people who love and live lives unapologetically, be they straight, gay, lesbian, queer, or otherwise. I hope my legacy is one that encourages and affirms life in all its wonderful mysteries.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Shreveport is constantly evolving with artistic creative events taking place most weekends, museum exhibits open during the week, music performances of all types each day, and a vast culinary expression. I would take a friend to dine at Dahn’s Garden or Indigo Indian restaurant, get a boba tea for dessert from Bestea, and chill out with cocktails from Fatty Arbuckles under the Texas St bridge. We would stroll downtown during a quarterly Artwalk or in Highland arts neighborhood. We would enjoy a stint walking through the Aquarium and then catch Glofest, an arts festival celebrating the lighting of the Texas st Bridge each first Friday. Finally we would grab some frozen yogurt and custard from Happy Belly and relax in Caddo Common Park to people watch or enjoy Spoken Word from the Pavilion.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Much of my inspiration comes from reading. I love the stories woven by Octavia Butler, Toni Morrison, Audre Lorde, and Zora Neale Hurston. I learned interesting techniques from Writers Digest and On Writing by Stephen King. I continue to hone my craft with the help of my colleagues in the Shreveport Writers Club.

Website: DRMDDesigns.com

Instagram: @mldumars

Linkedin: MLDumars

Facebook: facebook.com/ml.dumars/