Today we’d like to introduce you to Diann Floyd Boehm.
Hi Diann, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My mom always told us life is full of chapters and to embrace them all. I have always been a storyteller, even as a young child. I fell in love with the stage when I performed with friends for the first time in a talent show in 4th grade. At that time, singing was my form of storytelling, and I eventually moved into theater. Fast forward to a new chapter, I became an educator, and no matter what grade I was teaching, I always enjoyed telling stories. Storytelling is a gentle way to get the point across to your student or, to put it another way, to share a life lesson. Storytelling is a way to relax a class as they prepare to learn a new skill. Moving to another chapter in life, I decided to take many of my stories, polish them and have them published. That is where I am today, along with co-hosting several shows with USA Global TV & Radio™.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Obstacles, oh so many! Luckily, I had great role models, my parents, my grandma, and my aunt. They taught me that if I want something, I will have to work for it; “Life does not come on a silver platter.” For example, if I wanted to have voice lessons, my dad said, then earn the money to pay for the voice coach; if I wanted to have a car, make money to pay for the insurance and gas. I share these two examples because they prepared me to work hard and pursue my dreams. By the time I decided to develop the craft of writing to be an author, I had created a “fire in the gut,” as my mom used to say. Mom would sometimes see me sad about something, and she would say, “So you messed up; then to figure out what you need to do to improve and keep moving forward.” The obstacles, I learned, were not negative to make one stop, but they were teaching moments. Several big publishers turned me down, but I kept writing and improving because I knew one day I would have my books published. I kept learning the business and the craft and never let a “no” stop me, even when friends told me I should give up. Those two words are not in my vocabulary. I am proud to say I have published children’s books and young adult historical fiction and have received awards for my works. I have a new children’s book coming out in July, Boomer the Curious Bunny, and a follow-up to my young adult historical fiction, Ruby Takes Chicago, in the Fall. So, to anyone reading this article, if you are on the fence about going after a dream, believe in yourself and keep working hard, and you will achieve your dream.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I started my professional life as an educator with a degree from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia and my Kindergarten Endorsement from The University of Texas at Austin. Both universities set the stage for me to be a strong classroom educator. I enjoyed my students and watching their eyes sparkle when they became better spellers or tackled challenging math problems. I loved teaching them to be critical thinkers and to embrace imagination with their writing and storytelling skills. I taught overseas in the Philippines as well as in the States. I eventually became an instructor of technology and trained teachers all over the US and was an invited speaker overseas, sharing the power of technology as a tool for learning. For fun, I did community theater and professional musicals in the Philippines and Dubai. I have role modeled for my students and family that we can have our professional life, but we need to be sure we enjoy other aspects of life.
I cannot tell you what I am most proud of because I embraced each chapter in my life enthusiastically, and what I learned from one chapter helped lead me to the next; as many would say, the chapters were building blocks to the next. If you ask me the most important thing outside of work, it would be, hands down, my family! I am blessed with a fantastic husband & friend, three beautiful adult children, and one incredible grandson. For me, motherhood has been and still is the most significant achievement in my life, and though we were not perfect, my husband and I managed to produce outstanding adults. I am not sure what sets me apart, but I join with others who have found the “JOY” in life, and knowing my spiritual beliefs keep growing strong in my heart, and hopefully, what I do brings love and joy to others.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
There are several top important lessons I have learned in my author’s journey:
* Keep learning the art of social media.
* Do not compare yourself to other authors.
* Know and understand your message.
* Make your characters authentic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.diannfloydboehm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diann_floyd_boehm/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diannfloydboehm
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannfloydboehm/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/diannfloydboehm
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDLN5DfdCVzOu9pIphQ2-4Q
Image Credits
Bridget Karam https://www.bridgetkaram.com/ the headshot work shots belong to me
