I grew up in a small town, in the state of Michigan and since I did so poorly in school; I thought that being a writer, would be the last thing that I would be doing but through a lifetime of pain and heartache; due to twenty-one knee surgeries...sexual abuse and the loss of many things, including children; I found a new heart that could feel such depth...a heart that learned through the everyday things of life, rather than what any education could offer me.

I began to write about 13 years ago and it wasn't on my own. After coming through an overwhelming amount of pain and heartache in my life; I began to feel the depth of God's presence within mine and His words became my manuscript.

Smashwords has become a great tool; that has helped me to get my work out to those who could use an ounce of hope within their own lives.

The greatest joy that I have found through writing; is to connect with God, in a way that I never thought I'd ever do but also...it's a great feeling to know that I can take the words that first helped me and share them with others, who are going through their own difficult times.

I not only enjoy sharing my life with those who read my work but I also enjoy the special times I share with the reader, through my nightly blogs because I see this as a time, when I am truly connecting with the reader...which I love to do.

Normally, I'm up and at it by 6:15 am. I have to admit that after a hard days work; prior to that morning, it can be hard to convince myself; that I should not reset the alarm to a later time. Now to the question...I should say that it's not what inspires me but who inspires me and that is the God I serve. Sometimes I get the feeling; that He is looking down from heaven and saying..."Come on Diane, it's time to get to work, so we can help encourage some hurting people today," and when I think of it, in that way; I'm more than ready to get up and get at it.

Well...I usually am working 12 hour days because I not only write but I minister, to people who are hurting, through pain, heartache and depression. There are a few things I enjoy on the side, when I have some time off and that is cooking and decorating. I not only like to be creative in my writing but in the way I decorate our home and cook. There have been several times in the past, when I have even created my own recipes, which I also enjoy doing. It's amazing how far our thoughts can take us, when we seek, with the desire of our hearts.

Many go to college or take other coarses, as a means of gaining their writing skills but mine has come, from a heart that has been changed by God. He took each drawn out and painful moment in my life and exchanged these moments; for a heart that could hear His voice, deep within my spirit. In other words...as each loving desire left my life; God began to replace these moments with Himself.

I have a great hutch style desk in my office but I mainly use it as counter space. You see...I have problems sitting at a regular desk because I have a rod in my right leg, which won't allow that leg to bend, so I sit on a daybed, near a window, with a beautiful side table; that become my desk. On the table; I have a lamp...some plants and in the summer, I bring in some roses from my pink rosebush. I also have my cell phone and stacks of paper, which shows that I am a busy lady. I have come to see that where there is a will...there's always a way.

My latest book, is actually a series of devotional books (A Collection of Writings: Inspired by God). These books of devotions came about, while facing twenty-one knee operations, due to a congenital problem from birth; along with sexual abuse and the loss of many things in my life; including children. In other words; these words became the words that God used, to inspire, sustain, heal and mend a broken life; that have been shattered to pieces. Now it is my desire to encourage and uplift those; who face simila questions, with no answers.

Yes...I read the life story of Joni Eareckson, which truly inspired me at a time, when I was facing my own moments of pain and heartache and in some way; I feel that the inspiration I found from this book, gave me the will to press on, through my own moment of affliction.

Just as I feel that writing is something that comes from the heart; I also believe that the message that is conveyed through the cover design, comes from the heart also.

I study the Bible and I have a study bible that has sections in the front of it; that deal with different feelings we experience, while going through trying times in our lives; so I like to reflect on those writings.

Believe it or not; I do not have a reading device but I do have the kindle software on my computer, which makes it handy, for when I read Mark Coker's e-books on marketing. I also love the larger print I experience, while reading on my laptop.

What I love the most, is that I can offer a good book, at a great price, to those who cannot afford much. I also love the feeling of being my own publisher, where I can use my talents, to make my books...my way.

I just recently did a story on my life, which is titled "Baby Steps: A Personal Journey with God, through a Lifetime of Pain and Heartache" and at this time, I am in the process of finishing a devotion book that will become an adjoining book to "Baby Steps."

Yes...it was actually a poem, about 13 years ago. This was the time when God was beginning to work in and through me. Words began to flood my thoughts, until I had to write them down. Now, I keep pens in most of the rooms of my home and if paper isn't close by, I have found that writing on tissue is the next best thing.

I grew up loving Joni Eareckson. While going through multiple surgeries, for a congenital problem, in both of my knees; her words inspired me greatly!