Please welcome Writer Diane Williams, Author of the Invisible Child as Guest Author on the Writer's Journey Blog this week.
A WRITER'S JOURNEY:
My mother handed me a tape recorder, a pencil, and a black-and white composition book. "Tell your stories to the recorder," she said. Then she added, "When the tape is filled, write your stories down.” I began, and I felt exhilarated. Whenever I wasn't allowed to go outside, either because I was grounded or because of inclement weather, I engaged in my new favorite pastime: reading and writing.
I would write scripts for my friends to perform and stories for my friends to recite. English was my favorite subject throughout my entire primary education. From the beginning, my elementary school teacher praised my writing pieces and hung them in the classroom as well as on the big bulletin board in the hall near the principal’s office. I continued to receive A's and recognition and praise for my writing assignments until I became a college freshman. Then my English professor told me unequivocally that if I wanted to eat in this lifetime, I better change my major from English. He then handed me my graded assignment. It was my first F.
Immediately I went to the registrar's office and changed my major to Sociology, choosing a minor in Social Work. To my surprise, the main requirement was writing; we wrote term papers, reports, observations, and research papers. I received predominantly A's on my assignments, and I entered writing contests, winning many. That professor's words were like a stain on my brain. I was confused, yet I continued to write. I couldn’t help myself. As a social worker, the bulk of my job was writing. One day, my supervisor called me into his office, praised my work, and then suggested I work on my writing mechanics. That day, I had a flashback and an epiphany. My college professor did not separate “writing” from the mechanics. That negative imprint on my mind began to fade away as I went about the business of learning the mechanics.
I never became an expert at writing techniques, so editors are my best resources. I write, they edit. For me, writing is so much more than edits—I don’t let my lack of finesse in grammar and punctuation push aside my aspirations to share my stories. Writers shouldn’t feel so bogged down by the details of writing technique that they feel their motivation diminish. So, I say to aspiring writers, “write!” You write because you have something to say; give people your ideas, knowledge, creativity, messages, lessons, wisdom, and encouragement. They want and need to hear it.
I love culture, arts, and entertainment; thus, I report on those topics for a weekly local newspaper. Also, I delight in witnessing and sharing inspirational acts of encouragement, so I have written inspirational stories for Guideposts, Pray, Anthropology, and When God Makes Lemonade: True Stories that Amaze and Encourage.
My plight fuels me to live fearlessly and have a life of fulfillment despite the ever-present storm. My mantra has become "Setbacks are setups for new opportunities.” Determined to create something healing from my struggles, I self-published two books: The Invisible Child, a memoir that tells the saga of my parenting from my back, and Angels in Action, a collection of 17 inspirational personal stories.
This ongoing health situation fuels my interest in health and wellness, as well as the personal growth and development topics that I write about monthly for the community newspaper and the La Verne United Methodist Church monthly newsletters.
I am certified by John Maxwell Enterprises to coach, speak, and train. My “new normal” drives me to coach, speak and write to audiences who are actively seeking self-betterment, personal growth, and development.
I strongly recommend that new authors connect with and support other writers, both online and in the “real world.” Furthermore, you must invest in yourself; find a place you can create and work; join writers’ clubs, groups, and organizations; and attend writers’ festivals, conferences, and events.
Finally, seek a mentor who will encourage and challenge you.
BIO: DIANE WILLIAMS, M.A.
909-596-5184
Diane Williams is a communicator—she writes, she coaches, she trains, and she speaks to audiences full of individuals seeking to transform their lives. She is the author of The Invisible Child: memoir and Angels in Action, a collection of 17 stories to inspire and encourage. Her work has appeared in inspirational magazines, including Guideposts, Pray, and Angels on Earth, as well as in the anthropologies When God Makes Lemonade: True Stories that Amaze and Encourage and San Dimas Writers.
Williams obtained a master's degree in journalism and mass communications from the University of La Verne; Williams is certified by the John Maxwell Team to coach, to speak, and to train. Also, she has self-published two books: The Invisible Child, her memoir that tells the saga of her parenting from her back, and Angels in Action, a collection of 17 inspirational personal stories.
Williams refuels her energy by reading empowering books; listening to inspiring music; attending abounding sermons; watching theater and cultural events; short trips to the ocean, visit with family and friends, and rooting for her favorite basketball team. She resides in California with her two amazing daughters.
Click the cover to purchase the book from Amazon or you can purchase her book from https://writerworks.wordpress.com/
You can find out more about Diane at her links: