Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I’m Diane Huffman; and I just published my debut novel, A Less Than Perfect Beginning. The story had been rattling around in my head for years; but since I had a very busy career in the high-technology industry, I simply never had time to focus on writing. Then I retired and moved from California with its temperate climate where I spent a great deal of time outdoors to Utah with its cold winters which necessitated my spending more time indoors. So I thought, “Now is the perfect time to put pen to paper.” I set up my laptop and desk by a window that overlooks the beautiful Wasatch Mountains and Salt Lake Valley, starting writing . . . and the rest is history.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My novel, A Less Than Perfect Beginning, is categorized as fiction; but it is based on a true story – my childhood. Like me, little Beth, the protagonist, is raised in a very dysfunctional household. However, through her faith, a positive attitude, a sense of humor, and a secret escape plan, Beth survives and proves that the School of Hard Knocks does not have to ruin your life.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if my writing habits would be considered unusual, but I definitely have a structured writing schedule. I pretend that I’m still at my pre-retirement office – I am at my computer and ready to write by 9:00 a.m., work for a couple of hours until brain drain sets in, take a break to refresh my creative juices, and keep repeating this process until 5:00 p.m. when I declare my workday at an end. I maintain this writing schedule for five days out of the week. Even an author deserves a weekend!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jeannette Walls – The Glass Castle
Dorothy Allison – Bastard out of Carolina
The Bible
What are you working on now?
I’m currently in the process of writing my second novel which is somewhat of a follow-on to A Less than Perfect Beginning. This new story deals with Beth’s adult life as a single mother raising her son and will be both poignant and comedic. However, it will be much more than a memoir – it will also be a mystery!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There are so many avenues to market books now, but some of my favorites are: Goodreads, Awesome Gang, membership organizations, Kirkus Reviews, speaker events, Facebook, blog interviews
Do you have any advice for new authors?
New authors would find it helpful to join writer’s groups and attend writer’s conferences. These are great places to network (and commiserate) with other authors, meet agents and publishers, and learn about the publishing industry in general. One very valuable lesson I learned from these resources is that 10% of your time will be spent on writing your book and 90% will be spent on marketing it! So it’s never too soon to accumulate marketing contacts.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Remember Little Orphan Annie? She sang a song that included the verse “the sun will come up tomorrow.” I made that my mantra during my dysfunctional childhood and credit it for my positive attitude and ultimate survival.
What are you reading now?
My tastes are very eclectic – I read mysteries, crime, memoirs, comedy, history, political works, etc. I’m currently reading Bittersweet by Colleen McCullough because I won it on Goodreads!
What’s next for you as a writer?
As long as I continue to publish novels, I will be in perpetual marketing mode. Always looking for another sales outlet, another marketing opportunity, another way to distribute my work.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would take any book by Jo Nesbo, Stieg Larsson, or Michael Connelly. Great writing and great storytelling.
Author Websites and Profiles
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