We’re looking forward to introducing you to D. R. Berlin. Check out our conversation below.
D. R., a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I minored in Writing in college and The Third Estate Secrets of the Manor has been swimming in my head for years. Now that Mom’s Taxi is officially closed and my presence is no longer needed in the stands on the soccer or football fields, I have the time to devote to realizing my dream. Since the first day I started to outline the story, the words have flooded the pages like a tsunami, and haven’t stopped. This book is the first in a series. I’m chasing a dream and am now a self-published author—check. I set my goals high and work every day to reach them. Each achievement is a leg of a marathon, not a sprint, and the finish line advances with every milestone. So, I’m not stopping anytime soon. Next goal – book 2, which is finished and currently in the editing phase. Long term goals: New York Times and Amazon best seller. A girl can dream.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Born in Fall River, Massachusetts—home to Lizzie Borden, Emeril Lagasse, and the USS Massachusetts—I attended B.M.C. Durfee High School, where I was Salutatorian. I went on to MIT, majoring in biology with a minor in writing, and played varsity volleyball.
I graduated from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, joined the U.S. Army, and was stationed at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, where I was named Intern of the Year. I then served three years as a Captain and General Medical Officer at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina. I completed my residency in General Surgery at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (not affiliated with the medical school), before moving to Orange Park, Florida, where I have lived for the past 20 years. I am a General Surgeon with North Florida Surgeons, practicing in Florida. Drafted as the unofficial photographer of my children’s sports teams, I’ve been affectionally dubbed the “Mamarazzi.”
I’ve completed my second novel and am currently in the editing phase, with a planned self-publication date of April 2026.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Bonds between people are broken by fear, betrayal, silence, and the slow erosion of trust when words go unspoken or truths are withheld. They fracture when power replaces empathy, when pride outweighs accountability, and when individuals choose self-preservation over understanding. What restores those bonds is not perfection but intention: honest communication, the willingness to listen without defense, and the courage to take responsibility for harm done. Bust, most importantly, to offer forgiveness—both to others and to ourselves. Trust is rebuilt through consistency, vulnerability, and shared effort—small, deliberate acts that signal commitment and care over time to allow space for trust to grow again, slowly and imperfectly.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to aim higher than she thinks possible and move forward without fear, even faster than feels safe, because growth lives just beyond comfort. To reach boldly without fearing the fall, trusting that strength and resilience will be there to carry her forward. Believe in yourself completely, take the leap when the moment calls, and reach for the stars—because the limits you fear are only shadows, and your potential has always been far greater than you imagined.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the publishing industry tells itself is that writing is a lonely process. In reality, the journey is sustained by connection—by meeting generous, insightful authors who share advice, encouragement, and hard-won experience. Progress thrives in community, not isolation, and surrounding yourself with supportive, encouraging friends can make the long road not only enjoyable, but meaningful.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
The only person I owe my best to is myself. Praise from others can fade, but the pride of knowing you gave everything you had endures. When you commit fully, push past doubt, and show up with purpose, you succeed no matter the outcome. Giving it your all is a victory in itself, and that quiet, unshakable satisfaction—knowing you held nothing back—is more powerful than any applause you could ever receive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://drberlinauthor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d.r.berlinauthor/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-r-berlin-author-ba611b346/
- Twitter: https://x.com/DRBerlinAuthor
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572459732260
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/VQDouhVPcKE
- Other:
https://claytodayonline.com/stories/the-third-estate-secrets-of-the-manor,134528?
https://www.claytodayonline.com/stories/berlin-headed-to-hollywood,154845
https://www.claytodayonline.com/stories/berlin-returns-from-hollywood-as-author-of-the-year,176980
Image Credits
I have all the image credits
