No awards for second best…

Second best to your best friend...
Second best to your brothers...
First in no one's life...

THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
BOOK II … SARAH
BY L. DIANE WOLFE

No awards for second best…

A student at Georgia Tech, Sarah Martin is bold, intelligent, and appears destined for a career in biochemistry. But her poor self-image has been masked by behavior unbecoming to a young lady brought up in an affluent Southern family. Estranged from her father, envious of her best friend’s perfect life, Sarah feels inadequate and unable to measure up to expectations.

When a friendship suddenly turns romantic, Sarah questions herself even more. A future NFL receiver, Matt’s joyful spirit and social status appear beyond her reach. Yet beneath his eager smile and playboy antics lies a young man hiding in shadows and desperate to trust again.

Faced with challenges, they must help each other come to terms with past disappointments before insecurities and doubt threaten to sabotage their future.

Release date: May 5, 2009, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
$20.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 360 pages, Fiction/YA
ISBN 978-0-9816210-1-2 / 0-9816210-1-5

"Sarah: Circle of Friends Book II is, without a doubt, one of the most amazing and moving books I have ever read. Wolfe has written the impossible: a story of real people facing life’s real issues and she does this with style, grace and aplomb. Anyone who has suffered from poor self-image and low self esteem needs to read this book. It will not only restore your faith in yourself but your faith in others." - Jamieson Wolf, The Book Pedler Reviews

“An enjoyable, well-crafted read, The Circle Of Friends, Book II will enlighten many a reader to the joys and pains of contemporary youth. A recommended, rewarding literary treat.”
- Linda Waterson, Apex Reviews

“I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book. It was the first I had ever read by L. Diane Wolfe and I was pleasantly surprised. Not only is the story line very realistic it is very inspirational. It shows both the joys and the many pains of young adults in today's society trying to fit in but still be true to themselves.” – Katie’s Book Blog

Described as “encouragement personified”, Wolfe’s five-book Southern-based series portrays love and friendship overcoming all obstacles. Known as “Spunk On A Stick” to her fans, Wolfe is also a professional speaker. Originally from Oregon, she now resides in North Carolina. “With a positive attitude, any goal can be achieved!” The Circle of Friends

Book II online:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon

And congratulations to Bryan of the Chicago area! He is the winner of the free book giveaway!

Q&A and One Day Only Giveaway!

Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo - and the release of Book II of my YA series!

Leave a comment here (or at my DeviantArt site - see below) for a chance to win a copy of The Circle of Friends, Book II...Sarah. Those who sent in questions are already entered but may leave a comment to be entered twice! Winner will be drawn at random tomorrow morning and posted on both sites.

And now, the answers to all of your burning questions...

Although no one asked THE question!!!

How did you start writing? When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

I started writing when I was thirteen. I’d picked up an Anne McCaffrey book, The White Dragon, and I knew from that moment on I wanted to be an author. I wanted MY name on the cover of a book! Took me almost twenty years, but now it’s a reality.

You are constantly, mind-bogglingly, busy. You would have to be an organized person to do all that you do. What techniques do you use to stay focused and on track?

It may amuse you to know that I have a very short attention span and lots of nervous energy! What saves me is the fact I am indeed incredibly organized. I keep a large notepad at my desk with a daily to-do list. I keep a master calendar with all of my physical dates and a master list of all my virtual appearances, articles & scheduled postings. I also maintain a detailed checklist of promotions for each book. I’m just real careful to keep everything organized and grouped so I stay on track!

What made you decide to start writing and why in the self-help area?

I’ll go for a two-part answer on this one!
I’ve always been a voracious reader, and as an only child, I possessed a vivid imagination. When I began reading Anne McCaffrey’s books, that’s when I really began to apply myself as a writer.
My self-help book was a natural progression of events. I spent ten years with a top motivation training system and devoured hundreds of self-help, relationship, and success books. Success principles are universal and I eventually felt confident enough to put together two seminars, one on goal-setting and the other on leadership. Attendees to my workshops began asking for a book, and this prompted me to combine the two seminars into one simple, devotional-style success book.

What were the challenges in changing from Fiction to Non Fiction?

It’s a totally different mindset! When writing Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK!, I felt like I was working on an essay. I had to rely heavily on extensive notes and a detailed outline. Starting the project was much more difficult, too. One still has to master storytelling though, even in non-fiction. And the nice thing about non-fiction is I did not have to start at the beginning! I actually began with the second section, which is Key Two.

Do you use an outline or do you let the story lead you?

I always outline before I begin writing my story.
However, I have usually let the story run its course in my head, as if I were watching a movie. (This is after I’ve already designed the characters.) Once I feel I have a grip on the story, I begin to outline the major plot points. As I write, I usually stick pretty close to my original outline, too.

What do you like LEAST about your job?

The detail work! Composing letters to libraries. Printing address labels and stuffing envelopes. Updating my schedule online. Editing articles. Endless hours searching the Internet. It’s these little things that suck up a lot of time and simply drive me nuts sometimes!
Everyone thinks an author’s life is all about appearances and interviews, but the mundane detail stuff is the reality.

How do you book your speaking engagements? I like to ask all speakers this in case they do something I don't!

I’d started with writing groups and book clubs. (I’d already spoken many times at business functions and meetings, so I enjoyed it.) An author friend prodded me to put together a promotion seminar and started teaching these at NC community colleges. (I now do five such seminars on a regular basis!)
What really sparked other speaking opportunities were recommendations from those who attended my seminars.
Recently I was accepted into the National Speakers Association, and it has led to even more speaking engagements!

Which of your characters would say you're most like? Did you mean to base this character off of yourself, or did you start writing and then later realize this character reminded you of yourself?

When outlining Book I, I gave Lori two best friends. As the character of Sarah developed, I realized she possessed some of my qualities. She was bold, daring, and struggled with a poor self-image. (Her self-esteem issues later became the basis for Book II’s story.) I saw a lot of myself in Sarah as I wrote that story! Book II was the easiest to write and remains my favorite to this day.

Are any of the characters based on Craig or remind you of Craig?

I didn’t intend to base any of the characters on my husband, but he closely resembles Jason, from Book I! He’s very protective of me and definitely the one in charge.

There’s a lot of sports in your series – do you like sports a lot?

I love sports! Football season is my favorite time of year. I also enjoy hockey, the Olympics, and college sports. Baseball bores me on TV, but I love going to see minor league games. Ironically, I didn’t care for team sports in school – I ran cross-country and track. And while I love swimming, I never competed. Way too slow a swimmer! That, and I prefer to hang out underwater.

Have you written a character and then later met someone exactly like them? If you haven't and you eventually did meet someone just like one of your characters what would be your reaction?

I often meet people who possess some of the qualities of certain characters. I’ve never met anyone just like any of my characters, but I’d certainly like to meet a Matt one day, because he’s so much fun!

Is the new book title the FIRST title you had in mind - or did the title change as the manuscript evolved, and why?

I was using the main character’s names as working titles while I tried to conjure up a good series title. My husband is the one who accomplished that! He suggested The Circle of Friends since the five books all centered around one group of friends. I liked it and ran with it!

What made you think you might be good at writing books?

I was always good at English and took a lot of creative writing and journalism classes. My teachers always encouraged me to write. Like most writers, I felt I had a message, and a book seemed the best way to convey that message to others. (I also get to share that message now through public speaking.)

Do you foresee experimenting with other genres of fiction?

Yes I do! I will likely stay with YA, but broaden into areas such as horror and sci-fi. My goal right now is just to reach the end of this series and take a deep breath!

Did anyone in specific play a large or inspirational part in motivating you to start writing?

As a teen, my Freshman English teacher really encouraged me to write and pursue that avenue. That spurred my writing and I still have dozens of notebooks filled with stories and ideas.
It was my husband who encouraged me to finally realize my dream and write a book. He is my greatest cheerleader!

What comes first for you when you set out to write a book: the story or the characters? I ask this because your stories have such amazing characters living in such real situations. I'm curious to know whether you think of the character first or the situation that they will find themselves in.

The characters! I always envision the inhabitants of my stories first and complete a detailed character sheet for each one. I might have an idea for a storyline, but I don’t start outlining until I define the main characters. I feel I can stay true to their personalities in this manner and not force them to do something unnatural just because that’s the story line.

How did you come up with the names for your characters?

I dreamed the two main characters in Book I, so I already knew their names. The others were divine inspiration! It was important that the names be simple yet solid. Seven of the main character’s names came from the Bible. For secondary characters, I searched online baby names sites. Several names came from fan suggestions, especially in Book V. (Some of these I simplified – Josiah became Jo.) A couple fans have been so enthusiastic in their devotion, I’ve even used their names in my books as a tribute!

And THE question?????

What does the "L." stand for?

My first name!!!

Check back tomorrow to discover the winner!

Also visit my Deviant Art site to comment as well- http://spunkonastick.deviantart.com/

Determine the Real Problem

Attitude determines our path in life. It affects every aspect of our personality, our relationships, and our work. How we handle life’s occurrences, those little speed bumps in the road, is even more vital than the situation itself. Our reactions reveal our true character.

Attitude is how we view the world, our mental posture. Do we expect the best or the worst? Do we respond negatively or positively? Our attitude will determine our level of success in life, so cultivating a healthy position is crucial.

The difference between a good attitude and a poor attitude is painfully obvious when analyzed. On one side of the coin reside optimism, expectation, and joy. On the other side dwell pessimism, defeat, and misery. These polar opposites are easily revealed, and within seconds of meeting a person, you’ll know his attitude. If you inquire about tomorrow’s weather, a positive man will say, “It’s supposed to rain, which will help the farmers.” However, the person with a negative attitude will declare, “It’s supposed to be wet and miserable.” Same predictions, different attitudes!

No one’s life is trouble-free. We all experience set backs and disappointments, and I’m not suggesting there is a way in which to prevent such occurrences. However, if our path in life is indeed determined by our attitude, what does this tell us? The problem does not lie with our situations. The real problem is our attitude toward these challenges.

* from Chapter 2 - Determine the Real Problem, in "Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK!"

And something I keep reminding myself as we are now four days without air conditioning...

New one goes in tomorrow and my husband promises there will be icicles hanging from the ceiling by that evening!

And Now For Something Completely Different...

Today's special: Spam, spam, and more spam! In the news this week: Author Jeremy Robinson explains how one should market: Marketing Tips For Authors Win a free copy of Bonnie Grove's "Talking to the Dead": Fiction Matters Pete Masterson explains why publishers should avoid mass market paperbacks: View From the Publishing Trenches “The Bare Truth About Writers” - those who work in the nude! (Original link found at Jane’s Wild Ride ): Neatorama

Today is also my anniversary - 18 years!

This is us on our wedding day in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Yes, Spunky used to be a blonde!)

 This is us today!

(Taken last year in Atlanta by author Darlene Wofford.)

And we shall celebrate with dinner and a movie - "X-Men Origins: Wolverine"

Aren't we romantic?

*

And since everyone seemed to enjoy the New Bern, NC pictures earlier this week, let me wrap up this post with a couple more from Tryon Palace Historical Sites & Gardens!