Monday, February 21, 2011

Greetings Crusaders and an Introduction for All

I’d like to welcome all fellow crusaders! I’ve been overwhelmed with new followers, which launched me past the 400 mark this weekend. If you are a new follower, please leave a comment, as I’ve been unable to follow several of you through Google Friend Connect!


For all my fellow crusaders and newer followers, let me give you a brief introduction. (If you want the long version, read more about me or my books by clicking on the pages above.)


I am a professional speaker and member of the National Speaker Association. (Nickname - Spunk on a Stick) I do motivational talks & classes and instructional seminars in the area of promotion. My professional speaker site is Spunk on a Stick



I’m the author of six books. Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! is based on two of my seminars and includes chapters from six other authors. Last year saw the release of book five in my YA series, The Circle of Friends. This five-book series is inspirational and uplifting, and it follows five friends as they learn to overcome. Since the series is now complete, I recently moved The Circle of Friends site here to Blogger.



I’m a professional photographer, and my work includes weddings and portraits to magazines and even an album cover. My specialty is B&W and all photos used here (with the exception of the LOL Cats) are mine. I also partake in several other business ventures.

In my personal life, I’ve been married for almost twenty years - no kids - and own two cats named Rocko & Spunky, who replaced Calvin & Hobbes. I am a Christian, a vegan, and a roller coaster fanatic. Originally from Oregon, I now live in North Carolina.

My next book project is a teen version of Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! However, after six books, I’ve experienced total burnout. I’ve done some research and formed an outline, but that’s it. I’m also at a crossroads with my YA work - my writing thus far has been positive and I don’t want to write salacious, edgy, supernatural stuff just to conform to trends. So, I may not set foot into that genre again…

The focus of this blog is book promotion and other aspects of the publishing and speaking industry. (So, you probably won’t see me participating in the Crusader writing challenges.) I would like to write again and hope to find inspiration to dive back in and complete my non-fiction book. I’m also happy to help any writer on his or her author journey. Spunky is here to help!

34 comments:

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Congratulations on reaching over 400 followers and the many books you have written. I didn't realise you have written so many.

Have a good day,
Yvonne.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you Yvonne. And funny, people keep telling me they didn't realize I'd written so many books. Maybe I should mention them more often.

lynette355 said...

Your doing great and you know deserve a break. What are you doing for yourself everyday? How about that 30 min for you challenge I posted? HUH? LOL

I am unsure how you have put out as much as you have. Has to be that flaming red hair that has your imagination in overdrive. But seriously....take a break....it might be just what you need.

Anonymous said...

Cpngrats! with your ventures.And I thought I was busy. Hope you find the wherewithall to finish your non-fiction book soon. Have a great week!

Heather Hellmann said...

I like the name of your blog. Congratulations on your success!

Jules said...

Exactly how can I get some of that "Can Do" spunk to rub off on me? What accomplishments, WOW! And here I thought those cat pictures were yours :~)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Congrats on your followers! And great wrap-up intro for anyone new here (and even for us old-timers, too! Very inspiring how much you accomplish.)

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

I hope your burnout is short-lived. Congratulations on passing the 400 mark!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Lynette, must be the red hair! I'll spark again soon though.

Thanks, Heather.

Jules, just don't take no for an answer!

Thank you Elizabeth and Jane - and it seems like so much more when I write it down.

Arlee Bird said...

Congrats on passing the 400 and now I see you're rapidly heading toward the 500 level.

Seems like a lot of us are now having that problem with Google Friend Connect. It sure helps when new followers leave a comment of greeting so it's easier to find them and reciprocate the following.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Helen Ginger said...

400 followers! That's fabulous.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with taking a break with writing. If you decide to go back, yay. If you decide to go in other directions, yay. Whatever is best for you.

Southpaw said...

I remember taking a speech class in college. I’m totally impressed you’re a professional speaker – it’s hard!

(Even the Blogger follower gadget has problems dishing out information.)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Can't imagine doing a series of five. I'll be lucky to do a series of two!

Jai Joshi said...

I've known you for over a year now and it's still lovely to read about you and learn more.

Congrats on reaching the 400 follower mark! That's huge!

Jai

Unknown said...

Every way you describe yourself resonates with me. I'm just older and have to really dig deep for my "spunk" these days. Photography, Christian, etcetera. Glad to find you.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Thanks for the visit and comment, I guess we have different tastes in places to go. I even met one of my followers who live at Nashville.
Had a grand time.

The Old Silly said...

You are fortunate to have more than one life calling and the skills to do them. Your muse will return when it's ready and the time is right. Meantime, your motivational and coaching support of others is a GREAT way to carry on with a productive career. Count yourself lucky, and know that you are appreciated by many, Spunkster!

Denise Covey said...

Hi Spunky. Thanks for laying out all your accomplishments - makes me feel a laggard ha ha.

I think it's a new problem that's come up with blogger or what? I'm also getting lots of new followers and will be at 400 before I can blink - mainly from the crusade - and people aren't leaving messages - just follow and run - and there's no link with google. I've also had a lot of people replying by email to a comment rather than visit and comment in return. Are we moving in a new direction? Not much point in having followers who you can't connect with! Thoughts?

(I've even put a graphic near my follower button but that hasn't helped much.)

Denise:)

VR Barkowski said...

So glad you joined the Crusaders, Diane! Your accomplishments are stellar and your blog is a treasure for writers (not to mention the weekend sillies, which RAWK!)

Sharon Reece said...

Thanks for the introduction. It was great getting to know you a little better!

Tanya Reimer said...

Nice intro. Looking forward to visiting lots!

Jemi Fraser said...

I didn't know you liked roller coasters - they terrify me! :)

Rachael Harrie said...

Hi Diane,

It's fantastic you joined my Crusade, and I'm so glad it's helped you reach your 400 follower mark, woot!!!

Lovely to learn more about you. Best of luck with the writing, I hope your burnout recovers soon.

Hugs,

Rach

Sylvia said...

Wow congrats on 400 followers! I am someone with several caps too, and I find that sometimes one is silent to give the other some space. All focused to growth. Last year I was more artist than writer. This year I write a lot, edit and submit. Learned so much from myself through art that I am a much better writer :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane .. congratulations on getting to well over 400 followers .. your advice and knowledge are always welcomed - you have much to share.

I just look forward to more interesting stimulating blog posts ..

Enjoy the week - Hilary

Susan Fields said...

Hasn't the Crusade been great? I'm really enjoying finding so many wonderful new blogs!

Hart Johnson said...

Ha! Yet another thing I didn't know that we have in common. This year will be my 20th wedding anniversary, too. Fun to get a little more peek at you!

Talli Roland said...

Congrats on getting over 400 followers - fantastic! :) I love your kitties' names.

Kari Marie said...

Congrats on the 400 followers! This was a nice introduction to you. I love your inventive cat names!

Carolyn Howard-Johnson said...

I'm not new but I'm glad you gave us a quick review of your books. Why not? People have so much on their minds these days. We nned a little help when we can get it!

Best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Blogging writers resources at Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites pick www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Helen, I am still deciding!

Holly, I love it. And to think I used to be so shy.

Bettyann, your spunk is still there!

Thank you, Marvin.

L'Aussie, it's frustrating.

VR, the weekend sillies will never end.

Sylvia, it's wherever we feel led.

Hart, what day? We're May 1st!

Talli and Kari, we don't have normal pets so why normal pet names?

Thanks to all!

Nicki Elson said...

We need you to write positive, non-edgy, non-supernatural stuff for our kids! I mean, in-between all that other stuff you do, of course. ;)

Trisha said...

Hi, I'm one of your new followers, via the Crusade :D

Alison Miller said...

Wow! And I thought I was busy! Very cool.

New follower and fellow crusader. Nice to meet you!