DAWN RODGER ON SCATTERED GARBAGE, TRAUMA SURVIVAL, AND TURNING REAL-LIFE PAIN INTO POWERFUL FICTION - VORAKA

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN VORAKA

Article Published on 27 May 2026 | www.vorakamagazine.com

For Dawn Rodger, storytelling has never been about creating perfect heroes or polished realities. Her work is rooted in the uncomfortable truths people often struggle to speak about openly, trauma, survival, emotional abuse, resilience, and the long road toward healing. Through emotionally charged fiction and deeply personal memoir writing, the Canadian author has built a literary voice that feels both fearless and profoundly human.

AUTHOR DOWN RODGER

Growing up in Scarborough, Ontario during the 1980s, Dawn Rodger experienced a world that felt both nostalgic and unsettling. Childhood memories filled with Walkmans, bike rides, local libraries, and summer freedom would later become the emotional backdrop for her psychological thriller Scattered Garbage. The novel draws inspiration from the era surrounding the Scarborough Rapist case, one of the most disturbing chapters in Canadian criminal history, while centering the emotional realities of women navigating fear, abuse, manipulation, and survival.

Unlike conventional thrillers that rely purely on shock value, Scattered Garbage approaches trauma with emotional depth and realism. The novel follows three women whose lives are forever altered by violence and abuse, eventually leading them toward revenge, healing, and reclaiming their voices. While fictional, the story is rooted in real emotional experiences, making it resonate deeply with readers who understand the long-lasting impact of trauma.

Rodger’s connection to the subject matter is profoundly personal. A survivor of domestic violence, emotional abuse, and assault herself, she has consistently used writing as a means of processing pain and reclaiming power. During the years she endured abuse, she kept journals that later became the foundation for her memoir I Could Almost Touch the Devil. The memoir offered readers an unflinching look at the psychological impact of domestic violence and established Rodger as a fearless and emotionally honest literary voice.

That same honesty carries into Scattered Garbage, where the emotional complexity of the characters feels grounded rather than performative. The novel does not sensationalize violence. Instead, it examines the emotional aftermath, the silence survivors often carry, and the difficult path toward healing. This balance between psychological tension and emotional authenticity is part of what makes Dawn Rodger’s work stand out within contemporary Canadian fiction.

Her storytelling has also earned critical recognition. Scattered Garbage received praise from Kirkus Reviews, which described the novel as “a bold, no-nonsense story about young women dealing with and overcoming sexual assault.” The book later went on to win the International Impact Book Award for Female Empowerment in 2025, further cementing Rodger’s growing reputation as a powerful advocate for survivors through literature.

Beyond writing, Dawn Rodger has lived a creatively rich life shaped by music, education, and literature. A graduate of the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Music and later the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Education, she spent years working as an educator while continuing her passion for writing and music. Even today, she remains connected to her musical roots as a clarinetist performing in community bands.

Readers have also connected strongly with Rodger’s authenticity outside of her books. Through her reviews, social media presence, and open conversations about trauma recovery, she has built a community that values emotional honesty and resilience. Her work consistently reminds readers that survival itself can be an act of courage.

Now, Dawn Rodger is preparing for the next chapter of her literary journey with her upcoming memoir Quasi, based on her five-year experience navigating Family Court in the Ontario Court of Justice while fighting against her abuser. The project is expected to continue her exploration of trauma, justice, and survival through a deeply personal lens. As readers continue discovering emotionally driven psychological fiction, Dawn Rodger’s work stands apart for its raw sincerity and fearless storytelling. Through both memoir and fiction, she transforms deeply painful experiences into stories that not only captivate readers, but also give survivors something even more important: recognition, understanding, and hope.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR DAWN RODGER

Q. What first inspired you to turn your personal experiences and observations into stories, and how has that relationship with writing evolved over the years?

Dawn: I was inspired to turn my personal experiences into stories for the soul purpose of healing and trying to help others heal. It was a form of therapy for me. Writing my observations down helped me to release bottled up emotions and pain. Writing and weaving truth into my stories helps resonate with readers more deeply.

Q. How did growing up in Scarborough during the 1980’s shape the atmosphere and emotional landscape of Scattered Garbage?

Dawn: Growing up in Scarborough during the 1980’s was slow paced. There was a relaxed freedom in my childhood to explore without fear. The comfort and safety I grew up with disappeared almost overnight because of Paul Bernardo, and it was that dark side that shaped the landscape of Scattered Garbage.

Q. What drew you toward writing psychological thrillers rooted in real emotional trauma rather than purely fictional suspense?

Dawn: Everyone who lived in Scarborough remembers the Scarborough Rapist in the 1990’s; they were emotionally invested. I wanted to ground my suspense in authentic psychological realism rather than sensationalism. I felt it would provide my characters with more authentic depth that my readers could relate to.

Q. How did your own experiences with domestic abuse and survival influence the emotional honesty of your characters?

Dawn: My own experience with domestic abuse helped shape the emotional honesty of my characters as it made them feel more human. Their experiences mirrored real psychological patterns and made the story less about cheap thrills and suspense tactics, and more about relatable survivors. My experiences validated my work.

Q. What was the most difficult part of writing Scattered Garbage, both emotionally and creatively?

Dawn: The easiest part about writing Scattered Garbage was that I was able to gain control over painful memories at a safe distance from my desk. The most difficult part was allowing exiled emotions to bubble up to the surface as I had to process any triggers that arose. I quite truthfully cried and bled onto the pages.

Q. How did you approach writing about sensitive topics such as assault, narcissistic abuse and trauma while still keeping the story empowering?

Dawn: I approached sensitive topics such as assault, narcissistic abuse and trauma by keeping the focus on the survivor’s agency rather than their victimization. I didn’t want to avoid the darkness, but wanted to show that the darkness doesn’t define the person. I was sure to illustrate the growth of my characters from their painful experiences; where they reclaimed their lives and were determined for a healthy and happy future.

Q. What role does resilience play in your storytelling, and why is it such an important theme in your work?

Dawn: Resilience was the theme of Scattered Garbage because it was resilience that enabled me to adapt through my own experiences, and grow from adversity, trauma and significant stress. Resilience in my characters allowed them to move from the helpless victims to empowered women who kept fighting for change.

Q. How did your background as a musician and educator influence your voice as a writer and storyteller?

Dawn: My background as a musician has always taught me about the importance of community, and I tried to establish that community in my characters with their deep bond of friendship. Being an educator, I have learned to how to read and understand people from all walks of life and it helps me to add authenticity in my writing.

Q. What do you hope survivors of abuse or trauma feel after reading your work?

Dawn: My greatest hope is that survivors of abuse or trauma feel vindicated. I believe a lot of women blame themselves for the abuse they received, the red flags they missed or the inaction of not leaving sooner. They carry shame. I want readers to know that it is ok to talk about the dark things, and that we are stronger, together. I hope it helps them heal.

Q. How has the response from readers impacted you personally since the release of Scattered Garbage?

Dawn: Since releasing Scattered Garbage, I feel more at peace. My readers have enveloped me with virtual hugs and have taught me how important my bravery has been to them. My readers have valued that I am willing to talk about the dark things and bring the light of healing into those spaces. My greatest compliment so far is that Scattered Garbage was “unputdownable” and that many read it in one sitting. This makes me smile as nothing is better than a gripping novel.

Q. What does winning the International Impact Book Award for Female Empowerment mean to you at this stage in your journey?

Dawn: Winning the International Impact Book Award for Female Empowerment was such an honour. It meant that Scattered Garbage went beyond a “great cover design” it had meaningful purpose. As an Indie author, I don’t think I could have received greater recognition; as Scattered Garbage gave voice to gender-biased violence. It is my hopes that gender inequality will be eradicated one day.

Q. What can readers expect from your upcoming memoir Quasi, and how does it differ emotionally from your previous books?

Dawn: Quasi is a memoir about my five years in court, fighting my abuser to finally be free. It will be a real account of my struggles for personal safety and the safety of our children. Emotionally it will be deep, but it will resonate once again with the theme of resilience. At the end of the struggle, I was left with nothing but had everything at the same time. I not only won, but conquered.

Here are the first few lines of Quasi… “I left him. The end. My freedom will start now. I will file for divorce, cut my ties, sell my home, move on. Seventeen years stuck in an abusive marriage is final over, well quasi-over. What got in the way? The Canadian justice system and HIM.”

Q. What does being featured in Voraka mean to you and the message behind Scattered Garbage?

Dawn: Being featured in Voraka Magazine is transformative. The survivors, the seven women Scattered Garbage’s characters were modelled after, have voice. Voraka is a vital platform for the diverse voices of women; it is able to transform our voice into a public catalyst for social change.

Scattered Garbage is helping to remove stigma, expose truth, bring light to the darkness and spark valuable dialogue around domestic abuse, assault and trauma. Voraka acts as a symbol of hope, allowing my work to have exposure to an international audience. I am so grateful for the opportunity for my single voice to reach the community of Voraka. Thank you from all the survivors!