Shayla Dugan, a social work graduate from Arizona State University, faced a series of challenges in 2015 that she describes as „the year of suck.“ Despite leaving her job in 2014, the following year brought her husband’s neck surgery and her father’s cardiac arrest. Dugan took on the role of caregiver, making a four-hour round trip between her Valley home and her father’s residence in Camp Verde, Arizona. The challenges continued in the years that followed, with her grandson experiencing seizures and her father eventually passing away from heart failure in 2022.
These difficult experiences served as the inspiration for Dugan’s novel, „Learning to Swim,“ which was published earlier this year. The novel explores the dynamics of three generations of women living in the same Arizona household, delving into themes of coming of age and navigating complex relationships. Drawing from her social work background, Dugan was able to capture the intricacies of family connections and the emotional depth of the characters in her book.
Dugan credits her social work education and years working in hospice and palliative care for shaping her perspective on life choices and relationships. She emphasizes the importance of understanding family dynamics, beliefs, and cultures in her writing, which was informed by her experiences in the field. Through her work, she learned to navigate different environments and communicate effectively, skills that have been invaluable in her writing career.
Born and raised in Phoenix, Dugan’s journey into social work began after witnessing a tragic news story about a child’s suffering. This event prompted her to pursue a career in social work, leading her to enroll at ASU’s West Valley campus. Despite facing personal tragedy, including the loss of a daughter in 1999, Dugan found support from classmates and mentors who helped her through difficult times.
Inspired by fellow social work colleague Joanne Cacciatore, who specializes in grief and loss issues, Dugan shifted her focus to serving individuals facing terminal illness and bereavement. Her experiences in hospice care and palliative care deepened her understanding of grief and loss, ultimately influencing the themes of her novel.
After leaving social work to pursue her passion for writing, Dugan began working on what would become „Learning to Swim.“ The novel follows the story of a woman, her daughter, and her ailing mother, exploring themes of legacy, resilience, and the power of family bonds. Dugan’s journey to publication was marked by perseverance and the encouragement of her late father, who instilled in her the belief that it’s never too late to pursue one’s goals.
Today, Dugan reflects on her writing journey with a sense of accomplishment and determination. She has a second novel in the works and is already planning a third, demonstrating that age is no barrier to achieving one’s dreams. Through her experiences and storytelling, Dugan continues to inspire others to embrace their passions and pursue their creative endeavors, no matter the obstacles they may face.