About Diane Olsen:
I worked on my first stories and poems up in South Cheyenne Canyon near Colorado Springs, where I was raised. I learned a lot about spiritual life in the mountains while hiking, or on horseback.
Later, I fell in love with Paleontology, Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Montana, and I wrote articles and columns in my spare time. Now I live in Eastern Washington in Kennewick near one of my two dear sons, Andrew and his four boys. My other son Gavin, and most of my family still live in Western Montana.
The stories that come to mind are important to me, and I enjoy sharing them with others. Would that it could be over a cup of coffee, but maybe you will find hope and joy in them without me.
What inspires you to write?
Good question. Truthfully, I guess I felt the need to encourage my sons by becoming more than a wannabe writer, and finish what I started.
The ideas for this trilogy came in a single month back in 1999 when my children were small. The stories sat in the back of my mind, coming to fruition in the last few years. I have had some amazing reviews which also inspired me along the way.
Although I have written poems, screen plays, articles and columns; and even a non-fiction tome, "Ancient Ways: The Roots of Religion", the "Rising Wind" books are my first attempts at novels. I thought that this series would be it for me, but I wouldn't be surprised to find another two books wanting to speak, if time allows.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
I used to love SCI Fi Anthologies and Clive Cussler. I've also enjoyed Tony Hilleman and Diane Mott Davidson, Barbara Daniels Dena and the more I think about it, many others.
I probably don't read as much as you do. I spend too much time writing, and at my age, there is only so much time left.
Tell us about your writing process.
For me writing is a constant, determined struggle. The reward is when the characters drag me along with them at breakneck speed to help them tell their stories. My favorite part is the editing. I must go over a manuscript close to fifty times, but I learn each time. For me editing never really ends.
I guess I am a seat of the pants writer, though I outline at some point. I visualize my characters, and watch eagerly, as they grow, interact and develop. I do my best to make each chapter sparkle, beginning to middle, and middle to end. Technology and boards elude me.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I think about the characters or listen to a pertinent song, then, if I'm lucky, a piece of the story unfolds or reframes itself. Once I'm in the story, details, or mysterious side paths reveal themselves.
There are times I need to focus on drawing a more complete picture, especially when beginning a new chapter. Something I still struggle with.
What advice would you give other writers?
Write if you must. Whether for your own entertainment, or for the joy of it. If you are impelled to publish, then be prepared to work very hard to find a way achieve to that goal.
May you be blessed by finding honest help in this process. I was lucky to find wonderful friends to assist me. I was like a deer in headlights – in many ways I still am.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I had published articles and columns when I was younger, but I had ideas for several stories and a non-fiction book that kept nagging over the decades to be completed. Ok, once completed, what does one do with them? Luckily, I found a marketing promotor who became my friend. We checked out several possibilities, and evaluated them for our particular needs. She has helped me with all the advertising and encouraged me to learn as much as I can about the details of the publishing process. This education has taken me nearly as long as, and overall, was nearly as expensive as earning my degrees, LOL.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I am not sure how publishing will be changing over the next few years. I am hoping to convert all of these stories into audiobooks. But I'm sure tales and poetry, in some form, will delight humankind for generations to come.
What genres do you write?: Adventure/mystery; Non-fiction
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Diane Olsen Home Page Link
Link To Diane Olsen Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
