I’m an author and an editor with a need to blather on now and then, so why not share it with the world, right?
I have always lived in Saskatchewan. I was born in Regina and have lived in Pilot Butte, Meadow Lake, Prince Albert, Creighton, and Saskatoon and now live in Martensville.
“I’m gonna be a writer? Good one!”
My first job was at a Dairy Queen in Saskatoon. Next I worked in the kitchen of a nursing home, washing pots. Then I was a labourer at a meat packing plant. It was there that I met my future husband and also there that I realized it was time to go back to school.
I took a two year Biological Sciences course at Kelsey Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Saskatoon. For the next 16 years I worked as a research technician in Neuropsychiatry at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Due to a lack of funds, I was laid off.
“A change is as good as a rest” so I decided to return to school. I completed the Teacher Assistant program at SIAST/Kelsey Campus in May 2000, and worked as an Educational Assistant in Saskatoon until retiring in June, 2016. I am loving retirement!
I began writing in 1986. I have nine books published so far – six picture books (five fiction and one non-fiction) and an early chapter book, a humourous memoir, and two anthologies on grief.
The smartest thing I ever did was joining a children’s writing group in 1990 – The Children’s Writers’ Round Robin.
My favourite picture book when I was little was Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss and my favourite chapter book was Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell.
My favourite colour is green.
My favourite season is spring, only slightly ahead of summer.
My favourite hot drink is herbal tea. (I hate coffee!) My favourite cold drink is milk.
Dianne,
The more I get to know you through facebook and this blog the more I realize what an amazing person you are. I kind of knew that already by seeing you work with Dreyson (sp?) this year. You are always so positive, uplifting and funny…a great gift for those who work with you! Wishing you all the best this school year 🙂
Thane
Hello,
I am a wannabe children’s author and have written a story I believe is geared toward tier 1 age group. I was hoping you would read it through and give some feed back. I’ve not gone through this process before and any information regarding the story itself would be
appreciated. I think it would be a quick 5 minute read – I’d just like an opinion as to whether the idea works or not. Would you be willing?
Darren
I gave a book report on Green Eggs and Ham when I was in the first grade. It is good to hear others appreciate that book!
Planning a Bio Sci reunion for Aug 2017 Please email me on the best way to get hold of you.
Dianne, this is Jayne from the Biggar Library. I bought a book from you when you were here for our library I was wondering if you would email me a receipt saying I paid $15.00 for the book. Thanks Jayne
Good Morning Dianne. Would you happen to have your book “Dear Me the Widow Letters” in an audiobook format? I’m a very slow reader and my book club is reading your story this month.
I myself am a widow of just over a year, and I don’t have a clue what my letter to myself would look like, but I’m so looking forward to this read! It’s been a sad journey, but many really great things have happened in the past year – thank God!
Thanks in advance for even writing this book. My regards also to DriverWorks Ink.
Colette
Hi Dianne, I just read your request (from the Compassionate Friends Newsletter) for mother’s who have lost a child to write a letter they could send back in time . I would so appreciate being able to do that. I am unsure where to send the letter though.
Thanks,
Mary-Anne
Hi Dianne,
I am glad to hear that you are enjoying retirement! it makes sense, as being a former student in your class, I am sure that I didn’t make your life easy 🙂 I saw all the things that you did for your 60th and think it’s amazing, more people need to do things they love! Hope you are keeping well.
Hi Dianne
This is Coreen Holmen from the Carrot River library. We were wondering if you would like to do a reading for us this summer, it would be outside in the town square. with covid we would follow the rules set out. please get back to me as soon as possible.
Thanks Coreen
Hi Coreen,
I’ve emailed you. Thanks.
Hi Dianne,
I’m wondering if you have any spare copies of Purple Hair, I Don’t Care that I could buy? It was my daughter’s favourite book when she was little and she’s expecting our first grandson in July and I’d love to gift her a copy. I’ve tried ordering it from large bookstores and I see that it’s out of print, but I thought I’d give you a try. It would mean so much. Thank you.