Biography of Colin Dunbar
When I turned 11, my folks gave me the encyclopedia Britannica and a manual typewriter. I was ecstatic, and filled many hours creating documents on a wide and varied range of subjects from the encyclopedia.
Midway through Grade 11, I enrolled for a correspondence course in TV Scriptwriting, and in my final school year I completed the course, received my certificate. I made a few silent 8mm movies with friends, actually writing the acripts, and directing.
While in high school I developed the habit of writing (actually scribbling notes) about things that happened, or something I heard, or about something a friend did.
When I try something, I write about it: writing what I did, and whether I was successful or not. When not successful, I write about what I could have (or should have) done differently. My next book, Failing Forward to Success is based on a collection of these notes.
When I speak to someone and hear something that interests me, I usually can't wait to write it down.
This is something that remains with me to this day.
For several years I wrote short stories and poems, although I don't regard what I write to be poetry - it's more just feelings and ideas I put down in words.
I was naturally drawn to the technical writing field, as this satisfied my two primary character traits: learning new things, and my logical, step-by-step approach to things. I always want to know the 'why, what and how'.
In 1990/91 I wrote the first draft of my first book: "Profile of the Technical Writing Profession". The literary agent that I submitted the outline and first chapter to came back to me, and advised that the publishers did not feel there was a market in South Africa for this type of book.
Also, about the same time as I wrote my book, I completed a 1-year course in freelance jornalism.
For the year 2001 I kept a daily journal, and turned this into my book, Invest In Yourself. The book is about following one's passion, and is the real life story of my business endeavors; both failures and successes. I hope the book will give my readers an insight into what to avoid when attempting any business venture. I also really hope it will encourage the average guy or girl to follow their dream; I hope it shows that a goal CAN be achieved, if one has focus and persistence.
In 2002 I was becoming more and more frsutrated in my business: I needed mental stimulation and I wanted to share what I knew with as many people as I possibly could. This I wanted to achieve while holding onto my independence. Doing it the way I wanted to.
The web was my logical choice: I could help millions!
After everything I had read, and researched about running a sucessful website, I had only one practical choice: Site Build It!
I've been married for 22 years, to an incredibly supportive person. I don't know how she does it, but Marinda is always available to lend an ear. She has supported me throughout all the years, no matter how tough times were. I have two teenage children.
