Ask the Author: Dianna Dorisi Winget
Answered Questions (23)
Dianna Dorisi Winget
Hi Lily! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed Poppy’s story :) I’ve always been interested in foster care, police work, and especially dogs, so the idea for the story just came to me in bits and pieces over the years. Then, I wanted to continue Poppy’s story, so I wrote True as Steel. As for dogs, I’ve had them all my life. Most of them have come from various rescues. Right now, we have three dogs in our household. One belongs to my parents, who moved in with my husband and me last year. She’s a corgi mix named Cinder. We also have a cute little beagle mix named Stella, as well as a pit bull named Brandy. Sometimes three is a bit much, but we love them. LOL! Thank you so much for reaching out, Lily :)
Dianna Dorisi Winget
Hi Kayla! I’m so glad to know how much you enjoyed Poppy’s story. Thank you for telling me! And you’ll be happy to know that I’m working on a sequel right now. The tentative title is True as Steel, and it should be available this summer. If you haven’t already, sign up for my newsletter on my website at www.diannawinget.com to be notified when it’s available. Happy reading :)
Dianna
Dianna
Dianna Dorisi Winget
Hi Brooke!
I've had lots of jobs over the years. My first job was picking cherries when I was 12 years old. I've also worked in a fruit processing warehouse, for an optometrist, and in the office of a tire shop. These days, my job is writing, and I also do volunteer work helping people to learn more about the Bible.
Thanks for asking :)
I've had lots of jobs over the years. My first job was picking cherries when I was 12 years old. I've also worked in a fruit processing warehouse, for an optometrist, and in the office of a tire shop. These days, my job is writing, and I also do volunteer work helping people to learn more about the Bible.
Thanks for asking :)
Dianna Dorisi Winget
Hi Brooke!
My birthdate is June 7, 1967. I’m happy to know you like my books, and I hope your report turns out well :)
My birthdate is June 7, 1967. I’m happy to know you like my books, and I hope your report turns out well :)
Dianna Dorisi Winget
No, it’s really not, though I am a stepmom so some of it is based on my feelings and experiences. I don’t have any plans for continuing Jinny’s story at the moment, but you never know. I agree it would be fun! I promise to let you know if I decide to. I’m so glad you enjoyed Piper Lee’s story 😊
Dianna Dorisi Winget
I sent out a brand new manuscript. It was rejected by everyone.
Dianna Dorisi Winget
I'd like to spend a week or two living with Laura's family in The Little House on the Prarie. But I'd just love to live with Poppy, Trey and Marti in A Million Ways Home! Oh, and time travel would be amazing, like in the Time Traveler's Wife! As you can tell, I can't pick just one :)
Dianna Dorisi Winget
Right now I'm reading A Dog's Purpose, and will follow that with Making Independance Happen--One Paw at a Time, a memoir by Amy Chally. You can probably tell I enjoy dog stories :) After those two we'll just see what catches my fancy next. But I've got a great list on my "to read" shelf.
Dianna Dorisi Winget
Hi, Miranda! I don't have any other writers in my family, but it's something I've loved since I was about nine years old. My mom read to me ALOT when I was little, so my love for books just seemed to morph into writing. I used to watch my favorite TV shows and then rewrite the episode with me included as a young character. Great fun! I'd still do it today if I wasn't too busy writing middle grade books :) Thank you for the question.
Dianna Dorisi Winget
Old Dan and Little Ann from Where the Red Fern Grows. Why? Because I love dogs, and I can't think of a more loving, loyal relationship :)
Dianna Dorisi Winget
Hi Olivia
Your question is an interesting one. As a group who would "most" enjoy A Milion Ways Home, I'd have to say girls who enjoy realistic fiction and/or books about dogs. But I've been delighted to hear from a number of boys who really enjoyed it, as well as from parents and teachers who have written to say that not only did they personally love Poppy and Gunner's story, but so did their son, daughter or student. So I'm happy to know it seems to appeal to quite a wide readership! Please let me know if you enjoy it as well, and thanks for asking :)
Your question is an interesting one. As a group who would "most" enjoy A Milion Ways Home, I'd have to say girls who enjoy realistic fiction and/or books about dogs. But I've been delighted to hear from a number of boys who really enjoyed it, as well as from parents and teachers who have written to say that not only did they personally love Poppy and Gunner's story, but so did their son, daughter or student. So I'm happy to know it seems to appeal to quite a wide readership! Please let me know if you enjoy it as well, and thanks for asking :)
Dianna Dorisi Winget
Hi Aubrie
I have a middle grade novel out with editors now, and another in the works. Hopefully I'll have some exciting news to share soon. In the meantime, I've gotten to do Skype visits with two different schools, and I'm getting ready to run a give away here on Goodreads to celebrate the paperback edition of A Million Ways Home which will be released on March 29th! Thanks for asking :)
I have a middle grade novel out with editors now, and another in the works. Hopefully I'll have some exciting news to share soon. In the meantime, I've gotten to do Skype visits with two different schools, and I'm getting ready to run a give away here on Goodreads to celebrate the paperback edition of A Million Ways Home which will be released on March 29th! Thanks for asking :)
Dianna Dorisi Winget
Yes, Nya :) I'm always working on something new. Check my website from time to time for current updates. Thanks for asking!
Dianna Dorisi Winget
No, it's not. Although I do think there's a little bit of me inside each book I write. I've always been interested in foster care, law enforcement, and of course dogs, so several of my interests came together nicely in A Million Ways Home. Thanks for asking :)
Dianna Dorisi Winget
Hi Aubrie! What a great question. I had the same question when my editor first showed the finished cover to me. She explained that most young readers like to envision the characters themselves, or even think of themselves as the character. So when photographic covers (like mine) are designed, the face is rarely shown. If the cover is sketched or drawn the same rules don't apply. Take a look at various middle grade covers and you'll see. At first, it really bothered me that Poppy didn't have a face, but now I've adjusted and I love the cover. I'm really glad you asked this question because a lot of readers have probably wondered the same thing :)
Dianna Dorisi Winget
Hi Aubrie
Nope, It's actually my third book :) I'm also the author of A Smidgen of Sky, and its sequel, A Sliver of Sun. You can learn about all my books right here on Goodreads, or by visiting my website. www.diannawinget.com. Thanks for asking!
Nope, It's actually my third book :) I'm also the author of A Smidgen of Sky, and its sequel, A Sliver of Sun. You can learn about all my books right here on Goodreads, or by visiting my website. www.diannawinget.com. Thanks for asking!
Dianna Dorisi Winget
Hi Julie
I'm so glad you enjoyed A Million Ways Home! I actually don't have personal experience with divorce. But I am a stepmom due to the death of my husbands first wife. So I'm familiar with the complicated feelings and emotions that come with blended families, such as Lizzie deals with in the story. In fact, my first book, A Smidgen of Sky, delves even deeper into the theme of changing family dynamics. Thanks for recommending my book to your school counselors!
I'm so glad you enjoyed A Million Ways Home! I actually don't have personal experience with divorce. But I am a stepmom due to the death of my husbands first wife. So I'm familiar with the complicated feelings and emotions that come with blended families, such as Lizzie deals with in the story. In fact, my first book, A Smidgen of Sky, delves even deeper into the theme of changing family dynamics. Thanks for recommending my book to your school counselors!
Dianna Dorisi Winget
I'm not sure exactly where I got the idea, but I've always been interested in dogs, law enforcement and children living in foster care. All three elements came together in A Million Ways Home.
Dianna Dorisi Winget
Take all the time you can to truly learn the craft. Read, read, read, especially in the genre you're interested in writing. Perseverance is a vital quality to cultivate in this business, so if you have the desire to be published don't give up easily.
Dianna Dorisi Winget
I don't really know as it's very seldom a problem. Sometimes when I'm starting a brand new story it can feel intimidating and I have to make myself sit down and get started.
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Oct 15, 2025 12:39PM · flag