About Dianna
Helping is at the core of all I do. My greatest joy is loving and serving the ones closest to my heart—my family. With gratitude, I’m going to name them here, because I wouldn’t be who I am today without each one. Where my husband Brent is the home for my heart, our adult children are an extension of it. Alicia, Brandt, Andrew, Amy, and Nicole live generous, fruitful, and adventurous lives with their families not too far away from their childhood home in West Michigan.
My hobbies include being “Grandma Honey” to our four grandchildren, walking, camping, and cutting and stacking wood with my husband. I also love chocolate and, of course, writing.
Writing has been a gracious gift from God, bringing me understanding and healing from deep loss. I write so others may find hope that helps them look beyond their pain to Someone greater.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did you always want to be a writer?
I never imagined I would write a novel, nor was it a goal. However, I’ve always had an imagination and loved to pretend when I was a kid, which is most likely attributed to the conception of Miah and Brandt’s story in my mind. When my sister-in-law encouraged me to write their story down, for a reason unknown to me, I decided to give it a try. Perhaps it didn’t seem daunting because I have journaled since middle school. I love watching people and making up stories about them. If you don’t want some nonsense made up about you, don’t walk near me.
What makes a great story?
A great story will evoke deep emotions within the reader and teach them something about themselves and the Creator. It will confirm the truth, and at the same time, enable the reader to transcend the constraints of reality for a while.
What are your favorite books to read?
I love books with beautiful writing and/or books that profoundly impact me. My favorite Christian fiction books are Into the Free by Julie Cantrell and The Shack by William P. Young. My favorite Christian non-fiction book is One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.
What important advice would you give a first-time author?
Join a writer’s group. Attend a writer’s conference and meet an experienced editor there. Once your manuscript is completed, hire them. The editor’s valuable insight will greatly enhance your book.
What’s the most surprising thing you learned while writing your book?
Rather than surprising, I’d describe it as jolting. While researching Australian cattle stations, I stumbled across the “Stolen Generation.” It is a term given to Aboriginal Australian children who were forcibly removed from their families by government authorities to integrate them into White society. Between the late 1800s and the 1970s, children were placed in missions or foster care where many faced abuse, neglect, and the loss of their cultural identity. You can find more information here. When I started looking into Native American history, I was shocked and angered to find this happened in the U.S. too. And why was this not taught in my school or my children’s school—at any grade level? The impact of these inhuman policies continues to affect Indigenous communities in the U.S. and Australia today.
What did you edit out of this book?
I left out seven chapters of Miah’s childhood in Australia, including my favorite chapter. If you’d like to read them, sign up for my newsletter.
What was your hardest scene to write?
The beginning was the hardest for me to write. I bet I changed it fifteen times.
How do you select the names of your characters?
I used the names of my kids and my twenty-nine nieces and nephews.
Do you identify with one character in particular?
Yes, Miah, of course. In the end, she faces her hurt and loss with the same great faith the Lord gave me when my parents died.
What do you do for fun?
I like spending time with my kids, grandkids, and my extended family. Seems like I never have much free time, but I do try to get in a few walks a week. Once in a great while, I get to explore a National Park—experiencing the wonder of God’s creation provides a ton of peace and joy.