tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post1663499756207364555..comments2024-01-27T20:54:06.726-08:00Comments on Once Written, Twice Shy: Q & A with Diana BallewRebecca J. Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905246522578561864noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-23588434951484863122011-11-26T20:06:45.092-08:002011-11-26T20:06:45.092-08:00Wonderful interview. My brother is the genealogica...Wonderful interview. My brother is the genealogical guru in our family. Happy sales to you!<br /><br />*waves* Hi Becca!Calisa Rhosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07743891437445099016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-20430519596773301272011-11-24T13:34:00.626-08:002011-11-24T13:34:00.626-08:00Hi Debby. Thanks so much!Hi Debby. Thanks so much!Diana Ballewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11123694354603457871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-1989962746556101012011-11-24T13:33:02.556-08:002011-11-24T13:33:02.556-08:00Thanks Kim. Love the idea of channeling your inner...Thanks Kim. Love the idea of channeling your inner rock star : )Diana Ballewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11123694354603457871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-5004947362904183372011-11-23T21:58:49.899-08:002011-11-23T21:58:49.899-08:00Nice interview Diana. Thanks Becky for hosting her...Nice interview Diana. Thanks Becky for hosting her. Wishing you the best of success with your book.Debby Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10803946967534915248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-26091612737502532512011-11-22T10:52:33.675-08:002011-11-22T10:52:33.675-08:00Loved this! Authors often have trouble speaking in...Loved this! Authors often have trouble speaking in public but these days, more than ever, have to rise to the challenge. Focusing on the back row is a great trick as is not reading your audience. Take off your glasses and forge ahead. Imagine they love you because no one wants to watch you squirm. Channel your inner rock star and call on her for all your public speaking needs!Kim Hornsbyhttp://www.kimhornsby.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-57653752545846150892011-11-21T20:08:02.600-08:002011-11-21T20:08:02.600-08:00Ah, now you've got me blushing. Thanks so much...Ah, now you've got me blushing. Thanks so much, Marianne!Diana Ballewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11123694354603457871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-35875256858904307132011-11-21T19:02:34.316-08:002011-11-21T19:02:34.316-08:00Great interview and LOVE that back row strategy! ...Great interview and LOVE that back row strategy! Diana, you are one of the funniest people I know so it's really hard for me to think of you as shy. I think your best feature is your ability to make people feel comfortable because you're so down to earth & genuine. OR-it could be that down-home southern charm-lol! Thanks for being such a great writer-I can't wait for future releases!Marianne Strnadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10248182479776022425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-41239286562315410962011-11-21T18:27:42.517-08:002011-11-21T18:27:42.517-08:00Hi Joan. It’s certainly nice to hear you say that!...Hi Joan. It’s certainly nice to hear you say that! Honestly, if I’ve been able to pull off appearing self-confident and poised while presenting, then that’s GREAT! Still, something tells me you would have guessed my nervousness had you seen me drink all that water. Ugh!Diana Ballewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11123694354603457871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-75176248549526449712011-11-21T18:20:50.273-08:002011-11-21T18:20:50.273-08:00Hi Lori. You’ll never have to worry whether you...Hi Lori. You’ll never have to worry whether you're speaking loud enough if you talk to the people in the last row. It works. Now, if you’re in a huge room with loads of people, you'll probably have a microphone. In that case, you’ll need to adjust your voice, but keep eye contact with the people in the last row and you won’t give away your nervous jitters. I had a microphone at the last conference. Before it was my turn to speak I was SURE I was going to croak out my answer and come off like an idiot. What did I do? I sat there downing two glasses of water because my mouth went bone-dry. Guzzlin’ water like a parched camel likely drew more attention than anything else. Thank heavens I didn’t think about that then : )Diana Ballewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11123694354603457871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-26077523272045305932011-11-21T18:12:19.888-08:002011-11-21T18:12:19.888-08:00You shy? I never would have guessed! :-) You al...You shy? I never would have guessed! :-) You always seem so sure of yourself and poised.Joan Satterleenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-16866823925050799152011-11-21T17:57:34.725-08:002011-11-21T17:57:34.725-08:00Thanks for sharing, Diana. Yes, looking back I rem...Thanks for sharing, Diana. Yes, looking back I remember being told by a professional speaker to do just what you suggested. It really helps with projecting your voice!Lorihttp://www.evergreenrwa.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-92058851605375183132011-11-21T17:56:34.297-08:002011-11-21T17:56:34.297-08:00Hi Jacquie. I think everyone should read The Hunge...Hi Jacquie. I think everyone should read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and the two sequels, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. Why? Several reasons. The highly anticipated movie comes out in March. Read the books first. Besides that, I think it’s some of the best work out there. Her simple style of world building amazed me, and I think she’s the master of the end of chapter hook.Diana Ballewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11123694354603457871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-40035985222897079602011-11-21T17:32:07.304-08:002011-11-21T17:32:07.304-08:00Hi Laurie. We write our books, polish them until t...Hi Laurie. We write our books, polish them until they shine, and then we send them off to be judged by others. And then we must wait . . . and wait. The publishing business is not for the impatient or the faint of heart, that’s for sure. But we must remember our end game, for there truly is one. When the first rejection slips begin to arrive, think about this: We all have varied tastes and different opinions. Is the publishing world really any different? One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Remember that and you won’t fear your in-box or the mail carrier ever again!Diana Ballewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11123694354603457871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-80289380331797762542011-11-21T17:08:46.362-08:002011-11-21T17:08:46.362-08:00You're certainly good at public speaking. :) E...You're certainly good at public speaking. :) Enjoyed your talk at ECWC. So what do you have for us in the gotta-have-new-book department?Jacquie Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17361793932364487636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-85631241948077076522011-11-21T16:39:35.300-08:002011-11-21T16:39:35.300-08:00Hi Shannon. Thanks for posting. Have a wonderful h...Hi Shannon. Thanks for posting. Have a wonderful holiday!Diana Ballewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11123694354603457871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-35065674452364827412011-11-21T15:39:13.957-08:002011-11-21T15:39:13.957-08:00Hi, Diana. I so agree with you on the waiting game...Hi, Diana. I so agree with you on the waiting game being one of the toughest parts of the writing business. Patience is not my strong suit. lol <br />Have a happy Thanksgiving!Laurie Ryanhttp://www.laurieryanauthor.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-86845448462590301712011-11-21T15:04:43.015-08:002011-11-21T15:04:43.015-08:00Hi Diana! I really enjoyed this blog posting. That...Hi Diana! I really enjoyed this blog posting. That is such a great idea about talking to someone in the last row in the room. And, no, I would have never guessed that you weren't an extrovert. <br />Happy Thanksgiving!<br />Shannon in TucsonNicky Outlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04946922890930427439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-59792852895834897712011-11-21T14:20:46.864-08:002011-11-21T14:20:46.864-08:00Hi Beth. You're a promo queen, my dear. I love...Hi Beth. You're a promo queen, my dear. I love your blog and seeing your posts.Diana Ballewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11123694354603457871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-24260619889365930702011-11-21T14:18:20.197-08:002011-11-21T14:18:20.197-08:00Hi Chassily. If you think I look like I’m a season...Hi Chassily. If you think I look like I’m a seasoned pro up there then my strategy must be working! And that’s my point; find what works for you. I also have some note cards handy with my target points. If the butterflies get the better of me, I glance down, take a breath, and go on.Diana Ballewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11123694354603457871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-6907969604930403362011-11-21T14:04:38.772-08:002011-11-21T14:04:38.772-08:00Hey guys. I enjoyed this interview. Good suggest...Hey guys. I enjoyed this interview. Good suggestion about speaking to the back of the room, but I'd rather not speak at all. I also enjoy research when I'm not disappearing up my backside with promo.Beth Trisselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13742049964476824594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-64310127863976468432011-11-21T13:57:17.435-08:002011-11-21T13:57:17.435-08:00Great tips on public speaking, Diana, I have not h...Great tips on public speaking, Diana, I have not heard those strategies before. I'll definitely be talking to the last row from now on, LOL! I know it works for you, because even though you always say you're nervous, you speak like a seasoned pro. <br /><br />:) ChassilyChassily Wakefieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617721521409860496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-19108967521167771662011-11-21T12:09:14.439-08:002011-11-21T12:09:14.439-08:00Hi Shelley. The tip works--try it! Once you learn ...Hi Shelley. The tip works--try it! Once you learn what works for you, it makes all the difference in the world.Diana Ballewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11123694354603457871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-50671451873233346202011-11-21T12:04:50.634-08:002011-11-21T12:04:50.634-08:00Hi Diana,
I like to research in the library too. ...Hi Diana,<br /><br />I like to research in the library too. You never know what you can find. I thought for tip for speaking was excellent. I'll have to remember that.<br /><br />All the best with your new release.Shelley Munrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03090469550227550713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-83005751488993560082011-11-21T11:41:45.497-08:002011-11-21T11:41:45.497-08:00Thanks, Shelby. I absolutely loved the relationshi...Thanks, Shelby. I absolutely loved the relationship between Eden and Ann. I had to be careful when writing the book not to let Ann upstage Eden—which would have been very easy to do because Ann has no filter. Here’s our lovely heroine Eden Blair; sheltered, sensible, but a bit hot-headed. Then you have her stepmother Ann who is also lovely, not at all sheltered or reasonable but equally hot-headed. Add one yummy hero named Major Rayce Hampton into the mix, who initially thinks the two women are sisters (Ann is a widow and only three years older than Eden) and you can see how cat fights might occur . . . and they certainly do happen! Then, when you added sweet Lucy into the mix, well, let’s just say it reminds me of Little Women with attitude and libidos.Diana Ballewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11123694354603457871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-29526698674124246972011-11-21T11:13:56.100-08:002011-11-21T11:13:56.100-08:00Hi, ladies. Diana, I really enjoyed reading Thorns...Hi, ladies. Diana, I really enjoyed reading Thorns of Eden. It's interesting you mention how shy you are because both the heroine and her step-mother were anything but! The banter between them was wickedly funny.Shelby Burkehttp://www.shelbyburke.comnoreply@blogger.com