I want my readers to put down their technology and discover their precious imagination!
International award-winning author, illustrator, educator and USA Global TV cohost, Diann Floyd Boehm, loves storytelling about 'Embracing Imagination' and being the best person you are meant to be. In addition to her nine children’s stories and young adult history fiction novel, Diann writes short stories for Christmas anthologies.
Lyndi: What is your "Embrace Imagination" philosophy, and how do your picture books, The Little Girl in the Moon and The Moonling Series, share this philosophy?
Diann: I want my readers to put down their technology and discover their precious imagination! Through my books, fun conversations occur between the reader and the children or students. I believe The Little Girl in the Moon Series, which has become the Moonling Adventures, is an excellent example of one's imagination. Children discover the Moonlings – the people who live on the Moon, are just like us. The readers find out who the Moonlings are. They discover Tycho Town, where they live, and the readers learn some of the first Moonling words. Children discover that the Moonlings love the earth as much as earthlings love the Moon. It is 100 percent imagination.
In all the Moonling Adventures, readers will discover how places around the world share a common interest, like in The Moonling Adventures — Serengeti. Just like earthlings, the Moonlings love the exotic animals of the Serengeti, giraffes, lions, etc.
Lyndi: What was the inspiration behind the A Song of Peace? Why do you see your book's message as a movement, and how do you involve others?
Diann: Many of us wish for Peace on earth, and many people fight for others to have Peace in their land. I thought about all the books about Peace and wondered how I could add to the universe a story about Peace that both children and adults would enjoy.
I see it as a movement because I had people from around the world sing the word "Peace." I hope to have many people join in one day. I like to think if we all could sing the word "Peace" over and over, maybe the people in charge would stop fighting and figure out a way to have PEACE. I lived overseas and have met many friends from various countries. I asked them to join in and send me a video of them singing "PEACE." Here is the link to a few people who sang "Peace." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zCF_ihO--s
Lyndi: Sometimes, you use real people to create your characters. Can you share one person you knew who became a character in one of your books?
Diann: In my historical fiction book Rise: A Girl’s Struggle for More the main character is Ruby Dinsmore, based on my grandmother Ruby Pearl. In Charlie and the Tire Swing — How it Began — the inspiration was my son, as he loved to swing and have adventures.
Lyndi: In addition to writing books for children and teens, you also write Christmas short stories for Texas Sisters Press. How does the experience of writing for an anthology differ from writing your own books?
Diann: The experience of writing for an anthology is the same and different at the same time.
How is it different? The authors who submit a short story for an anthology are given the purpose of the anthology, as well as a word range and a deadline!
So I am writing within parameters, not choosing my topic or having the luxury of letting the story develop over time. Also, I am writing to be judged by the team, my story may not even be accepted.
Those are actually fun challenges, and the opportunity to be in good company with other wonderful authors is an accomplishment and an honor.
How is it the same? As a storyteller you still have to do the same technical work - develop a storyline, work and rework the characters and the action, and focus on the message you want to deliver to the readers.
For children's books, you have two audiences - the children and their parents.
Also, even though there is a time limit, I still have to let the story idea seep into my subconscious until I have the necessary inspiration to sit down and write the story.
When you receive an email stating your short story has been accepted your heart skips a beat, because your story touched the reviewers’ hearts and they believe it will be meaningful to others as well.
Lyndi: How did you decide to go with your two hybrid publishers rather than self or traditional publishing?
Diann: I originally went the agent route. He was recommended to me, and I trusted him immensely. To make a long story short, the trust was broken. It was several years later before I learned about hybrid publishing. I was excited about it because of all the advantages that come with hybrid publishing, and most importantly, my stories were in print for people worldwide to enjoy. I am excited for authors to have other ways to share their stories in the world.
Lyndi: How did you come to write young adult historical fiction, and what is your story about?
Diann: I never thought I would write a young adult book, much less historical fiction, but the more I spoke to students in middle school and higher grades in various countries, including ours, I knew I wanted to inspire the young readers to go after their dreams. I figured, what better example than my grandmother. She was born in 1904 and was expected to get married at a young age and not have a career outside of marriage, but she wanted more. She wanted college. Her story of how she made it to college is an adventure all ages will enjoy and hopefully it will inspire young people to pursue their dreams.
Lyndi: What marketing methods have you found effective for selling your books?
Diann: Oh my goodness, I find marketing to be "a beast"! I was a former classroom teacher, and being an author is a new profession and a craft all on its own. I have tried many things, groups, and conferences, and I have learned many things over the years from them. Of course, the starting point is getting the book in print, for which you need a good traditional publisher or hybrid publisher or to do it yourself.
In addition to the help from my publishers, now I know the importance of publicists for authors. I thought publicists were for singers and movie stars. Today I want to say to anyone who wishes to have their work known to find a publicist. I am very grateful for mine, Mickey Mikkelson. I also have found great support from Aimee Ravichandran, CEO of Abundantly Social, and her Author Talk family – I learned so much from the other authors. I have also purchased ads in the Story Monster Magazine and The Lone Star Lit, run by Kristin Hall.
Diann Floyd Boehm is an award-winning international author who writes children's books and young adult books to inspire kids to be kind, like themselves, and to "Embrace Imagination”. Her Story Garden YouTube Channel gives children the opportunity to hear different children authors read their stories. "Harry the Camel," won the "Best-Translated Book Award by the Authors Marketing Guild, "Moonling Adventures-Serengeti" won First Place in Texas Best 2021 Children Book Award, and "Harry the Camel won Best Seller for 2021.
A co-host with Dr. Jacalyn on USA Global TV, Diann shares in the Talking Heads series on fashion, travel, fitness and books.
Diann has traveled extensively to many parts of the world and has lived in the Philippines and Dubai. She continues to be involved in various humanitarian projects with multiple organizations. Keep in touch with Diann by joining her newsletter: www.Diannfloydboehm.com.
