How John DeDakis Uses Writing to Heal and Help Others Find Their Voice
He used writing to heal and help others moving from newsroom to novelist!
After 45 years in journalism, including time as a White House correspondent and seven years as a senior editor for CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, John DeDakis made a surprising pivot. Instead of chasing breaking headlines, he turned inward, trading press deadlines for story drafts and using fiction as a way to heal, reflect, and connect.
In this episode of The Minute Mastery Podcast, host Ngozi Edema sits down with John to explore his evolution from journalist to novelist and the lessons he’s learned about clarity, courage, and creativity along the way.
The Changing Face of Journalism
John began by reflecting on how much the media world has changed.
“Technology has made it faster to get the news,” he explained. “But that speed also creates noise and confusion. There are more sources, more opinions, and fewer trusted outlets.”
Still, he believes the heart of journalism remains: a commitment to fairness, accuracy, and accountability. What concerns him most is that people have become “overwhelmed and apathetic”, tuning out rather than seeking truth.
His advice? Be discerning. Whether you’re consuming the news or crafting your own stories, clarity and honesty must come first.
When asked what it was like working with Wolf Blitzer, John smiled.
“Wolf is a journalist’s journalist,” he said. He cares about accuracy, fairness, and he’s actually very funny.”
Those years taught John precision and how to communicate clearly and concisely, an art form that later shaped his fiction writing.
From Facts to Fiction
After decades reporting facts, fiction seemed like foreign territory.
“It took me a long time to give myself permission to make things up,” John admitted. “My first novel took ten years, fourteen major revisions, and thirty-nine agent queries before it was published.”
The result was Fast Track, a suspense novel rooted in personal experience. The story began with a childhood memory of a tragic car-train collision he witnessed at age nine. And evolved into a fictional mystery exploring grief, loss, and resilience.
“I realized later,” John shared, “that the entire writing process was therapy. It helped me process not only that childhood trauma, but later, the loss of my sister and my son.” Thus, he uses his writing to heal and help others.
Writing as a Way to Heal
For John, writing is more than storytelling, it’s survival.
“Writing stirs up things in your subconscious,” he said. “It’s like sipping from your inner life onto the page.”
Through six novels, he’s turned pain into purpose, transforming grief into creativity and using fiction to help others explore their own emotions. Today, he speaks to writers, veterans, hospitals, and grief-recovery groups about how putting words on paper can lead to deep healing.
Advice for Aspiring Authors
For anyone listening who feels a story bubbling inside but doesn’t know where to start, John’s advice is simple: just write.
“Do writing exercises. Interview your characters. Even talk to your villain,” he encouraged. “Most people quit because they jump in without knowing their characters or story structure. Preparation gives you a roadmap so you don’t get stuck.”
And for those who feel intimidated? “There’s no one right way. You just have to decide if you’re willing to do the hard work, and if you are, keep going.”
On AI and Social Media
John acknowledges that both social media and AI are “morally neutral tools”, what matters is how they’re used.
“They can connect us and make research easier,” he said, “but they can also spread falsehoods, create deep fakes, or even harm vulnerable people. We have to remain the humans in charge of the technology.”
Ngozi agreed, emphasizing that creators and writers must lead ethical conversations around digital tools, not the other way around.
What is John Doing Now: Writing to Heal and Help Others
Today, John DeDakis is busier than ever. He teaches writing at conferences, offers manuscript editing and one-on-one coaching, and speaks to organizations about using writing for emotional wellness. Writing to help others heal through his books!
You can find his novels, events, and contact information at his website johndedakis.com
Final Thought
John’s story is a reminder that reinvention is possible at any stage of life. Whether you’re writing your first book, journaling through pain, or simply looking to express yourself, writing can become both your teacher and your healer.
As John said beautifully during our conversation: “Writing has helped me understand myself better — and made my characters more authentic in the process.”
So if you’ve been waiting for the “perfect time” to start your story, take John’s advice: Just start.
Links Mentioned:
John DeDakis → JohnDeDakis.com
Mama’s Daycare by Ngozi Edema → Available on Amazon
Delay to Daily Action Course → Join Here
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