
Good Morning! I know it’s not Sunday, but I have a new interview to post. Let’s hear it for author Diane Bridges! She writes books that have comedic books and is tossing around a possible children’s book series. If you are interested in learning more about Diane Bridges or her work, then follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon, and her Author website!

Are you an indie author or a traditionally published author?
I am an indie author. I didn’t like the idea of getting rejected by traditional publishers. I don’t like hearing “no” very much!
Tell me a little about your writing journey, thus far.
I’ve always enjoyed (and had a slight knack for) writing. I didn’t start taking it seriously until about two
Do you write under a pseudonym? If so explain why.
I do not currently write under any kind of pen name, but in the future I may do so.
What genre do you write and why?
I write comedic reference material. Strange niche, I know. I feel like there aren’t nearly enough textbooks with a sense of humor. Learning should be fun, and humor should provide a bit of learning. At least, that’s my take on it.
What are you currently working on?
“Small Words That Sound Big, Volume 2: Fifty More Little Words With Big Impact” is almost completed! I’m also drafting a sci-fi story (that one might get the pen name!), and I’m tossing around ideas for a series of children’s books.
What inspired you to write your books?
The idea for the “Small Words” series came from an irreverent conversation in college about ten years ago. I was told to “stop using such big words” by a classmate after saying “agog.” Yes, really. Agog. Four letters, and yet it was too big for a colleague to handle. A couple of friends and I discussed afterward that a lot of words “sounded bigger than they were.” I started keeping track of the ones I heard over time, and finally compiled them once I had enough to warrant a book. My criteria are seven letters or less, two syllables or less, and not oft heard in daily conversation. The silly example sentences seemed to be a logical next step.
What are your top 5 favorite books?
“The Stand” by Stephen King
“Field Guide to North American Weather” by the Audubon Society
“Go Ask Alice” by Anonymous
“The Twits” by Roald Dahl (a childhood favorite!!)
“The Green Mile” by Stephen King (okay, technically a series, but I couldn’t put it down!)
What does literary success look like to you?
A life where I can make my living from creativity instead of corporations is my current vision of success. I want to support my family, doing something I enjoy, while letting my husband stay home and pursue his passions as well. Success looks like quitting my middle management day job and spending my days having fun with words. Success is spending time with my daughter without clearing it with a boss first. Literary success equates to freedom for me and my loved ones.
How many hours a day do you write? What is your writing routine?
Oh, so sporadic!! I’m a full-time mom, wife, and worker…so writing either comes in sprints of three to four hours on my off days, or in 15-minute stints on smoke breaks at work. There is no real routine, and that’s something I need to work on.
If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it be and why?
The “A Song of Ice and Fire” series. Its immeasurable popularity aside, I envy the ability to create such an immersive fantasy world with so many well-developed characters. I write farce reference books. I write campy sci-fi. I would give almost anything to have the imagination and creativity of George R.R. Martin.
What advice would you like to give to aspiring authors?
Don’t “aspire.” Write. If you wait for motivation, it’s not going to show up. Take action first, and motivation will quickly follow.
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