Ask the Author: Diane M. Simard
Answered Questions (7)
Diane M. Simard
I would travel to the land that time forgot, where I would explore, read, question, ponder, and analyze. My brain never stops!
Diane M. Simard
If I can't find the words to capture what I sat down to write about, I pick a different topic. The other thing I do is record thoughts, blog topics, or marketing ideas on my phone while I'm driving, then transcribe them later. Much of my "creative time" happens while I am getting dressed, putting on makeup, or doing household chores, so I keep notepads and pens everywhere. I have lists all over my office desk!
Diane M. Simard
For me, writing is my most creative, fulfilling form of expression.
Diane M. Simard
Experiment with what time(s) during the day work best for you to write. Something may very well have to "give" in your schedule in order to find the time. Just like any skill that you want to develop, writing requires discipline, time, and constant practice. I wrote the first manuscript for The Unlikely Gift of Breast Cancer 30 to 60 minutes at a time before I left for my job on weekdays. I then cried all the way to the office because the experience, which was ultimately the life raft that brought me back from the depths of breast cancer treatment, was so powerful.
Diane M. Simard
I am a full-time senior executive for an aerospace company developing an electric flight training airplane, so my current spare time is spent on marketing activities for The Unlikely Gift of Breast Cancer. (Please be sure to sign up for my free monthly blog at DianeMSimard.com.) I blog about whatever is on my mind! For my next writing project, I am considering a theme about how leaders deal with adversity—stories of their worst, not best, days—and how they overcame the challenges.
Diane M. Simard
I have a bachelor's degree in print journalism, but have always focused on business writing. I began journaling during breast cancer treatment because it brought me comfort from the psychological battles I was experiencing.
Diane M. Simard
During my 10 months of treatment for Stage III breast cancer in 2015, I kept a detailed journal of my experience, capturing the "sights, sounds, and smells" of breast cancer. At the time, I was not a fan of social media, so I sent out updates to close friends via email. They encouraged me to turn my journal into a book.
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