Delores “Dee” Dahl’s  greatest lessons in writing have come from acting.

By interconnecting the arts, she concludes, “You are an instrument, like a piano! The 88 keys are your emotional range — from the darkest to the lightest notes of human nature.”

She says, “As an artist, you strive to use all those keys.”

The keyboard analogy has served her well throughout her life’s creative journey.

At the age of 5, Dee began her career dancing on stage at Seattle’s Orpheum-Pantages Theatre with a dozen little friends all tapping away, “in baby unison.”

During World War II, she danced as part of a troupe of performers for the USO, entertaining wounded soldiers. During these historic times, she realized that dance wasn’t only for entertainment, but also served as healing therapy for service men and women.

Like many of us, Dee had a mentor — Laura G. Whitmire, a drama coach in the old Fisher Building downtown Seattle.

“Laura G. taught me many things that became part of my lifelong passion for acting and writing,” she says, adding, “I learned how to take apart a play, look for themes and find a character’s motivation.”

Dee reflects on her acting experiences when she later became a high-school teacher, and says, “Acting lessons, no matter the goal, offer an important set of skills.”

She notes, “Kids learn to speak up and be comfortable in front of people, developing self-esteem, critical thinking cooperation, imagination and empathy.”

Each talent helped the other along Dee’s creative path.  She performed on “The Children’s Hour,” a weekly radio show; did summer stock at 14; and then, the ultimate, Dee was recognized by a Paramount Pictures talent scout.  After high-school graduation, she was off to Hollywood.

“During the first six months, I got an agent and a screen test at Metro…unfortunately, I also got pneumonia,” says Dee.

She managed to write audition pieces for agents to use for their clients, taught acting, and acted in a world premiere of a William Saroyan play at the Circle Theatre.

Dee lived sparsely in a Hollywood Boulevard apartment with two budding actresses, none of whom had much money.  They shared clothing, which included, “One good skirt and blouse for interviews with agents and casting directors.”

Dee’s writing career began with a short fantasy story, which she showed to her neighbor, a professional writer.

His response, “Why don’t you write what you know!” didn’t sit well, but rang a bell as she reflected on her own acting philosophy, “Acting what you know, means acting true feelings and you only have your own.”

Dee advises young writers, “You can write about weird characters, other planets, or monsters, but know what your characters really feel…that’s the writer’s job.”

Dee began writing her first novel, “The Inheritance,”  20 years ago. It’s now complete. Her second one, a sequel, is still in rewrite and has a July deadline.  She assures us that it won’t be another 20 years in the making.  Both books feature young adults on a cross-country adventure via wagon train — a suspenseful journey filled with challenges, obstacles and even romance.

“‘The Inheritance’ illustrates the American can-do spirit about pursuing dreams, having hope and faith, and never giving up,” says Dee.

With so many creative experiences in dance, theater and teaching smoothly weaving themselves throughout her novels, which piano keys are left to be played?

“Maybe next year, I’ll try fly fishing,” she says.

Suzanne G. Beyer is a Bothell resident.