Fosston, Minnesota

In October I drove five and a half hours north to Fosston, Minnesota. The Northern Exposure Lifelong Learning group invited me to present our family story, Miriam Daughter of Finnish Immigrants. The long drive was well worth it. Fosston just west of Bemidji is a wonderful small town. I felt very welcome and enjoyed staying at Amanda's B & B. Worth checking out if you're ever in the area. The group enjoyed my presentation and asked great questions. I enjoyed autographing books and visiting with the participants.

Motivated!

A memoir consultant, Adair Lara, continues to motivate me! As an author and instructor with expertise in the area of memoir writing, Adair's feedback inspires me to keep going. In her book, Naked, Drunk And Writing: Writing Essays and Memoirs for Love and Money, she shares her memoir expertise. I keep her autographed message "Dear Diane, Write that book! Warm Regards, Adair Lara" posted in front of me to keep me going!

August Almost Over!

Where does the time go? Writing like crazy with hopes of getting my book about my journey as a widow in print before the holiday season. Connected with a consultant in San Francisco who has inspired me to keep going and get the book done. I've had eight different working titles, but think I've finally landed on one that speaks to my message. I'm going to fly it by my author/consultant friend in San Francisco and see what she thinks. In between writing I'm still busy marketing our book, Miriam Daughter of Finnish Immigrants. In May I presented it at the Finn Forum in Thunder Bay, Ontario where it received wonderful responses from readers. Headed for the Embarrass Regional Fair August 28-29. Also I will be an exhibitor at the Creative Connection women's conference at the Hyatt in downtown Minneapolis September 16-18. The conference focuses on women's creative energy and the business aspects of hand made works. Author Amy Butler who is a fabric designer will be a keynote speaker along with organic farmer and publisher, Mary Jane Butters. Mark your calendars and watch for more information.

The Writer's Life

I never realized how involved replacing a septic system was. Twelve hours of machinery, noise, dust, and rocks filled our day. Now we are rebuilding our whole yard which looked like a golf course a week ago, but now looks like the "bunny hill" at our local ski area. If I spent as many hours writing as I have rebuilding gardens and moving rocks, I would have a five hundred page novel finished by now! As I pulled weeds and moved rocks in the garden I THOUGHT about writing, does that count?