Diann Floyd Boehm is an award-winning international author. Diann writes children’s books and young adult books. In addition, Diann writes books to inspire kids to be kind, like themselves, and to “Embrace Imagination”. You can find all her books on Amazon.
Diann’s Story Garden YouTube Channel gives children the opportunity to hear different children authors read their stories.
Diann is the co-host with Dr. Jacalyn on USA Global TV.
Diann continues to be involved in various humanitarian projects with multiple organizations.
Diann was born to parents of George and Mabel Floyd in Tulsa, Oklahoma but grew up in Texas with five brothers. She has traveled extensively to many parts of the world and has lived in the Philippines and Dubai.
Keep in touch with Diann by joining her newsletter: www.Diannfloydboehm.com.
Why do you write in the genre(s) that you do?
I have always been a child at heart. I want my readers of all ages to enjoy the simplicity of childhood. Although childhood is very short, my books help children to be kind, love themselves, and embrace imagination. I wrote my first young adult historical fiction because I felt this need to show young people that if a girl born in 1904 goes after her dreams, they can too.
Do you keep a notebook of ideas?
I originally had a notebook where I did most of my writing, and if I am on a road trip, I will jot ideas down, but mostly I have a page called story ideas that I keep on my computer.
Do you have a muse?
Angels are my muse.
Are you a fan of the Oxford comma?
I am a fan of the Oxford comma. It makes sense to have a comma after each word in a list. Example: I like ice cream, chocolate, and cookies.
Fill in the blank: People will like your book if they like stories about….”
Children will enjoy my books if they enjoy themes that deal with imagination and real-life issues like liking yourself just the way you are, kindness, and going for your dreams.
People will like my children’s books if they want to enjoy simple stories with a message and my YA book if they are looking for a young girl’s adventure set in the 1920s.
What are your thoughts on typewriters?
Oh, a typewriter. That brings back memories of high school term papers, and when you are almost at the end of the paper, and the paper goes crooked, and the line you just typed ran into the above sentence; what a nightmare as you have to crooked, and I have started over.
I am grateful for my laptop. Though I must tell you when I enter an antique store, I look for the typewriter I typed on. I am still looking for it. If I ever do find it, I might have to get it. My typewriter belonged to my grandmother, so it was not electric but one she had as a young girl.
Would you rather own a bookstore or run a library?
I would want to run a library. I enjoy helping readers find the book they are looking for and then watching them relax and read it. I would find much enjoyment in that.
How do you name your characters? Or how did you change the names if you wrote non-fiction and had to change names?
Great question- naming my characters, I look at my family history and use a name from my family line. It is a way to honor my ancestors. If I write historical fiction, I look for popular names from that time and setting.
What is your favorite social media platform?
I enjoy Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
If Hollywood bought the rights to your book, would you want it to be turned into a movie or series?
If Hollywood purchased the rights to my books, I would love to see them turned into a movie, cartoon, or series, not for fame but because I believe my messages will inspire the viewers to embrace imagination, love themselves, kindness, peace, and go for their dreams.
Who is your dream audiobook narrator?
It depends on the book. There are some excellent narrators; I could not pick just one.
How many words or pages do you typically write in one writing session?
I do not sit down and say, “I’m going to write X number of words daily.” I am not a planner. I write when the inspiration comes, and I won’t stop till the words stop flowing.
Do you have any writing rituals?
I have a particular room at home I write in. If I need to set a mood for a story, I might play music in the background to put me in that time in history.
What do you like to read? How often do you read?
I enjoy reading children’s books. I like books from my childhood, antique children’s books, but also, I enjoy reading what is popular now.
Have you made any public appearances to promote your book?
Before Covid, I was in schools, conferences, and stores for book signings.
During Covid and now, I mostly do appearances via zoom. It is incredible how technology today can allow me to be in a classroom on the other side of the world.
Who would you most want to read your book?
I want readers who wish to read a story promoting family time to their loved ones. In addition, I want readers to enjoy the adventures many of my characters take them on.
I want a reader looking for a story that will give them a sense that they can reach their dreams too.
Who is an author you love to follow on social media or read about in interviews?
I enjoy Joan Dempsey. I have taken several of her author classes.
Is there a book somebody gave you that helped you pave the way to becoming a writer, or is there a book on writing that you recommend all writers read?
There was not one book, but it was the genre. I enjoy biographies as I find people’s lives to be inspiring. My mom and grandma always encouraged me to pursue dreams and new doors of opportunity. I have always been a storyteller, and it seemed only natural in this chapter of life to put my stories to print.
Is there a piece of writing advice that you learned in school or in a class that stuck?
I did not start as a writer, so I cannot say there is, but I have joined several author groups, and one is “Abundantly Social,” run by Aimee Ravichandran. As a result, I am constantly learning from fellow authors. In addition, I am continually learning from the classes Aimee arranges for all of us in the group. I appreciate her and my fellow authors very much.
Is there an idea that a non-writer pitched to you that you have considered writing?
I have had friends share ideas, but I encourage them to write their own stories.
Do you like to physically write on paper?
Sometimes I enjoy writing on paper, but I am writing more and more on my computer.
What is your ideal writing space?
I enjoy writing in the “Story Garden Room.” I have a vibe going in this room, and I can get into my zone.
Have you ever gone away to work on a piece of writing? If not, where would you go if you could?
I travel quite a bit, so I find myself in new surroundings, which leads to inspiration.
What is an annoying thing that a non-writer has assumed about writers or the act of writing?
I don’t get annoyed quickly, but I will share that non-writers are amazed at the marketing it takes to have your book noticed.
How do you measure the success of your book?
First, you must define what success means to you.
For some people, success means your book becomes a movie. But, as lovely as those words sound, I am successful when I send the story to the publisher and hold the hard copy for the first time.
Success for me is when:
- A parent or friend emails and shares how much they enjoyed my reading about Ruby in Rise a Girl’s Struggle for More!
- A parent tells me how much she enjoys reading my stories to their little ones.
- When I receive a picture of a child’s favorite character
- When a student comes up to me after doing a presentation and tells me they want to be a writer just like me.
Wow! My heart sings, and I know I will continue sharing my stories.
Read my review of Charlie and the Tire Swing here!
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