Episode 65 – Unstoppable International Author with Diann Floyd Boehm

Diann Floyd Boehm has lived in various parts of the world. She brings her international life knowledge to the children’s books and, so far, one adult book she has written. As you will find in this episode, Diann puts an incredible of amount of research and thought to everything she creates.
 
Diann gives a number of suggestions to anyone who might wish to write and get published. She encourages all of us to write down our stories even if we don’t seek a writing career.
 
I hope you enjoy our talk with Diann. Who knows, you might become inspired to write and possibly even seek to get your creations published.
 
About the Guest:
 
Diann Floyd Boehm is an award-winning international author. Diann writes children’s books and young adult books. In addition, Diann writes books to inspire kids to be kind, like themselves, and to “Embrace Imagination”.  You can find all her books on Amazon.
Diann’s Story Garden YouTube Channel gives children the opportunity to hear different children’s authors read their stories.
Diann is the co-host with Dr. Jacalyn on USA Global TV.
Diann continues to be involved in various humanitarian projects with multiple organizations.
Diann was born to the parents of George and Mabel Floyd in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but grew up in Texas with five brothers. She has traveled extensively to many parts of the world and has lived in the Philippines and Dubai.
Keep in touch with Diann by joining her newsletter: www.Diannfloydboehm.com.
 
 
About the Host:
Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog.
 
Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children’s Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is an Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association’s 2012 Hero Dog Awards.
 
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Transcription Notes

Michael Hingson  00:00
Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I’m Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that’s a c c e s s i  capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we’re happy to meet you and to have you here with us.
 
Michael Hingson  01:20
Welcome once again to yes that’s right, unstoppable mindset where inclusion diversity in the unexpected meet. Today we get to meet and talk with an award winning international author. I don’t know whether she writes about internationals, whatever they are, but we’ll find out. Anyway, Diann Floyd Boehm, welcome to unstoppable mindset. How are you?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  01:45
Very well, thank you. International, because I’ve lived in several countries. And I’ve traveled a lot and and so the books are sold in different different countries. And I’m really proud of that.
 
Michael Hingson  01:57
Oh, cool. Do you publish them yourself? Or do you have a publisher?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  02:02
Actually, I’m very blessed. I have two publishers see publish Shane Atacand. Canada and Texas sister press, obviously out of Texas. So How lucky is that? It took a lot to get here.
 
Michael Hingson  02:15
That is as good as it gets. Do the publishers war with each other? Do they care?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  02:19
They are very kind to one another? So good. Yeah, that’s
 
Michael Hingson  02:25
what was that is that is plus? How many books have you written?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  02:28
I have nine books. And I have two more coming out one in the August late fall. Late summer, I should say sorry. And then in October, the second book? Oh, cool.
 
Michael Hingson  02:41
Well, we’ll get to more of that. But why don’t we start with the usual things that it’s fun to hear about? And that is you growing up and so on. So where did you grow up? And do you have siblings or anything like that, or any of that sort of stuff that you’d like to tell us?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  02:55
Sure. I love talking about my family. So I was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. But as the saying goes, we got to Texas as fast as we could. Actually Oklahoma was a lovely state. And But Mom and Daddy, job wise daddy ended up in Houston. And so we moved to Texas, and I grew up in Deer Park, Texas. And later on I became Mr. Park 77 and so is a wonderful, wonderful city to grew up in. And I have five siblings, which gives me lots of insight to having five brothers and having a feel for what boys might say, especially when they were dating. And what else mama and daddy, best parents ever one could ask for hard working. I mean, we didn’t get everything we wanted because you know they’ve six mouths to feed. But that’s how you learn to appreciate life. You know, you start babysitting, if you want something or, you know you get a job at 16 so that you learn the value of the dollar. And I really appreciated all that. So how does one growing up?
 
Michael Hingson  04:10
So how did you get to be Miss Deer Park? How did that work out?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  04:15
It was It wasn’t like I was trying to do those things, meaning contests. But a neighbor that I used to babysit for Mrs. Bedford. She said she was going to be starting to Miss San Jacinto, which is a college out here are out there because I moved and what I like to be in it and I was like, no, because I’m not pretty. And then when she said, Well, they’re gonna have a talent show and you can win scholarships for college, and then my ears perked up. I wanted to go to college. And when I found out that you would develop interview skills and things that can help you for the future. I latched on to that and tried to enter as many college based contests that I could, and I won a few. And I lost them even more. But that’s how you learn, you need to lose. So you learn, and then improve. And developing those interview skills has helped me all through my life so far, and hence, look where I’m
 
Michael Hingson  05:26
at. There you go. Where do you live? Now, by the way, you said you moved? Yes.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  05:31
So I mean, I’ve lived in a lot of places, but we’ve raised our children in Austin, Texas. Ah, okay. I’m in the hill country. And I love it.
 
Michael Hingson  05:42
So are you in Austin? Yes. Well,
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  05:45
I’m in the hills section in Travis County, where the hills START to begin. So it’s the beginning of the hill country. So it’s really, really pretty.
 
Michael Hingson  05:54
I haven’t been in touch for a couple of years. But have you ever eaten at a restaurant in Austin called the blind goat?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  06:00
If you know people are talking about that one, and I have not, but I am going to make a point to do that.
 
Michael Hingson  06:07
Christine ha who started that restaurant was the winner on master chefs. In I think 2011, she is blind. She’s the only blind person to my knowledge, who has ever won that she beat out, I think something like 18,000 people to do it. Wow. And, and so I haven’t corresponded with her for a while. But if you get a chance, I’d love to hear what you think of it. Since you’re closer than we are.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  06:36
I will make a point to do that. Thank you for telling me and, and kudos for her, as she must be an excellent chef. But to beat out that many people is extraordinary. And it shows you that when you want something, you don’t let anything stop you.
 
Michael Hingson  06:55
Exactly right. So one girl and five brothers, that must have been a lot of fun.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  07:02
It was a blast. And, you know, I feel very grateful to grown up in the time period that I did. I had two older brothers, and then three younger, so I had, you know, siblings that I got to change their diapers and stuff, because they’re much younger than me. So they were my dollies. But it’s a great learning experience. And it also made sure that I wasn’t boy crazy, because I really know what boys were all about.
 
Michael Hingson  07:29
And I’ll bet they kind of monitored you to the older ones. Especially.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  07:34
Oh my gosh, do I have stories for you? About I didn’t really date that much, especially in high school. And I always thought it was because I was so ugly, because my brothers would always be telling me I was fat and ugly. And of course, I believed them because they were family. Right? And, and I was one of these girls that you know, just like people said that then it must be true. So then my brother Danny told me about four years ago, he said, you know, Diane, you know how you didn’t really date that much in high school? And I said, Yeah, and he goes, Well, I have a confession to make. I told the boys if they even looked at you, that I would punch him. So there you go.
 
Michael Hingson  08:22
elzear Er, and so your your, your husband had a gauntlet to go through? Hmm.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  08:29
Oh, well, that is a funny story too. Because all my brothers were fantastic at sports. And some of them became coaches in the neighborhood and so forth. And our else they were also a coach for schools. And so along comes my husband. And they say, you know, what sport do you play? And of course, he’s like, Oh, I go fishing. And I’m a third degree black belt. And I do you know, a bunch of stuff. And they’re thinking, okay, that’s not football, and it’s not basketball. And it’s not baseball. So he’s Yeah, he’s not going to make it in the family. And so they didn’t pay attention to him anymore. And so he just kind of slid right in. But they love them. So what can I say? He’s really smart.
 
Michael Hingson  09:24
So that worked out. Okay, well, that’s a good thing. Well, so did you mostly just grow up in Texas? Or did you? When did you start to travel abroad? I guess it’s probably a better way to put the question.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  09:37
Sure. Yes, I grew up in Texas. And actually, when my husband became a diplomat, our first year of marriage was in Virginia. And it was my I’d always gone to Oklahoma because that’s where my daddy family was. And my mom’s side they had already moved to Texas. And so that was my only experience really have a Being out of Texas. So when we moved to Virginia, it was very different for me. And I remember calling my dad and just checking in as you know, kids stay with their parents, especially on Sundays. And Daddy, so my nickname was Suge with him for short for sugar. And he said, so should, how are things going? And I’m like, Daddy, you won’t believe this place. It must be like living in a foreign country. Do you know they make you pay for parking, just to see your doctor. So anyway, I think that was funny. My daddy was like, Oh, you poor thing
 
Michael Hingson  10:40
was bad there. You should have been in New York, but go ahead.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  10:44
But it was my husband, as I said, being a diplomat that took us to be able to see the world and we lived in the Philippines for three years and, you know, traveled a lot of places there, which I dearly loved, and I loved the Filipino people. And then, fast forward. He became a lawyer in Texas, and that’s where we raised our kids. And then one day he received a phone call, how would you like to move to Dubai? So we moved to Dubai, and live there 14 years. And that allowed me to travel quite a bit in Europe and Africa, and parts of Asia. So I feel very blessed.
 
Michael Hingson  11:27
What prompted the move to Dubai. What was the reason that they called him and wanted him to do that? Because he wasn’t diplomat them? Was he or
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  11:34
No, he wasn’t. But his the law firm that he’s working for at the time, Fulbright and Jaworski wanted to open up a firm there, so they purchased one, and then they opened up a new firm in Saudi Arabia, and my husband became part of that whole experience. Yeah, it was awesome.
 
Michael Hingson  11:56
So what was it like living in the Philippines and like living in Dubai, and like living in Virginia, as opposed to living in Texas?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  12:06
It’s an eye opener.
 
Michael Hingson  12:08
It really is. Yeah. But it is fun to live in various parts that it is fun to live in various parts of the United States, I’ve had the pleasure of spending years in Massachusetts and in New Jersey. And then during a project that I worked on in the mid to late 1970s, I spent time in Iowa in New York, and Colorado. So I’ve had, as a speaker, I’ve had the opportunity to travel all over the country. And it is wonderful just to see all the different kinds of experiences.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  12:40
I love our country, I absolutely love the United States. And every state is so beautiful. And there’s something so positive to say about each state. And I think as an American, and it’s important for us to get to know the different states because each state has things that they they do that are so important that help help each one of us. And so I can’t say enough. I’ve been in all the states, except for Hawaii, I really need to go to Hawaii. And then I need to spend a little bit more time in Wisconsin. I haven’t spent enough time there. But also living in the Philippines and answer to your question. Wow, what beautiful people they are they I just love the Philippines. I love the people I was able to teach school there as well as be one of the first Americans in the the National Theatre there and be in several other musicals. And then in Dubai, how lucky to be able to be in the Middle East, get to know the people understand the customs, and meet people from all over the world. I think there’s like 172 different nationalities in that country working beautifully together. And so I can’t say enough about Dubai as well. And the opportunities that gave me to travel.
 
Michael Hingson  14:09
So when you were overseas, and then of course, when you when you move back. What did you do? So your husband was diplomatic and lawyering and what did you do?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  14:19
Excellent question. Before we left I was my background is education. I was a teacher. And I was one of the there were several of us teachers who knew how to turn on a computer and a lot of people didn’t. And so we helped launch, bringing computers in the classroom, discovering what software would work with different subjects for curriculum, and then I started training teachers and computers. So by the time that happened, I was traveling quite a bit around the country in the schools, which gave me a real feel for different states. And then I had to reinvent myself when we moved to Dubai. And that allowed me to do something that I always wanted to be able to do, which was humanitarian work. And so that led me to Africa where I spent a lot of time in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya. So how exciting. Is that? Right?
 
Michael Hingson  15:21
Right. When you say humanitarian work, what did you do? I mostly
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  15:24
was in the orphanages helping and learning how the orphanages work to and finding out ways that I could I and people who were with me, could assist in helping the orphans have food and clothing and so forth. In Kenya and Uganda, I was predominantly in the schools, and a couple of the schools I helped do some projects where we help provide shoes, gathered shoes, took them, there was a whole process. And and another school, I ran a project, where we helped girls, if you can imagine, some girls were 14 and 15. And they never and a bra, I still get, I still get embarrassed to say things, you know, I’m modest. And that was an exciting, that was an exciting process. Another time, we ran a project where we provided dresses for the girls to have church dresses. And then for the boys, we provided some slacks. Actually, for them, they would be more long shorts. And they were made out of pillowcases, and my quilting group made all the other dresses or skirts and pants. So that was really exciting. And I had a team helping me and also bringing them to the schools.
 
Michael Hingson  16:59
And all of your travels, what was maybe the most scariest thing you ever had to encounter?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  17:04
Gee whiz, I’d have to think, you know, I we were with people who really understood the country. And we were always with people that were our guides, and so actually never was afraid of anything. So and we went way out into the bar. Yes. I think the only time I might have was afraid when my husband decided that he wanted to take our Datsun and head for this volcano that had not erupted in many, many years. And then he decided to take a back street and this back street was not a straight and we were driving through the jungle. And I didn’t know if we were ever going to get out. And experience with my husband.
 
Michael Hingson  17:51
So but you never really encountered bad people or or kind of difficult things like that. And in any of your travels.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  17:59
No, no, I was very lucky. Well,
 
Michael Hingson  18:03
so you, you traveled, you came back. And when you came back from Dubai, Did you go back to teaching? Did you do more humanitarian work or what?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  18:16
Well, before I left, I was already working on tape. I’ve always been a storyteller. And I had decided I really wanted to take my stories and put them into print. And so I was in that process. So when I was over in Dubai, I really worked hard to figure out how to make things happen. And started also taking art lessons so that maybe I could do simple illustrations for some of the books that i i now have published. And so when I came back, I became published in Dubai actually. But when I came back home, I really concentrated on writing even more books and learning this whole skill of how to be an author and the craftsmanship and so forth. And that’s where I’m at. I do go to the schools as an invited author. And I like give. I mean, I just when I’m in school, in schools with kiddos, even all the way up to 12th grade, I’m in my element because I have an opportunity to let each one of them know to love themselves believe in themselves and go after it. And if I can walk away and made a difference in their life, then I’m very, very excited.
 
Michael Hingson  19:38
So nowadays do you write full time? Pretty much if I’m not writing?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  19:41
I’m in the garden? Are I my dog? I should say my husband’s and my dog. He’s a cow dog. And he’s a rescue. And I can tell it was my son’s wife’s family who found them, and they actually have a small ranch. And Remi was used to having days where he could ride around and get out to the cows. So he gets really, or she gets very excited if she gets to go on a drive. So besides walking her, she gets her daily dose of riding in the car, and she gets very
 
Michael Hingson  20:26
excited. What’s important, you know,
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  20:29
yeah, I like to keep my, I love my dog. She’s amazing metrics. She’s just sitting right outside, waiting, like, what are you gonna do next?
 
Michael Hingson  20:40
Don’t I get to be part of the interview?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  20:42
Yeah. I’ve said start liking the screen.
 
Michael Hingson  20:47
So you started writing? And you said you actually got published in Dubai? What kind of a book was it? That you got published in Dubai?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  20:57
It was Harry the Campbell a children’s book. And OC publishing out of Canada. Took it online. And that was very exciting. I wanted to write a book about camel. And I’d been wanting to do it for some time. And so they published that. And then they published right away from when I was in Dubai, the series, it’s a series now the little girl in the moon. And that’s morphed into the moon Ling adventures. So yeah.
 
Michael Hingson  21:30
So how many books have you had published altogether? Now? Nine. And what kind of what kind of books are they primarily?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  21:40
The majority are children’s books. And then I have my very first young adult Historical fiction Based on my grandma, it’s right here, Ruby, rise, girls struggle for more. And that’s my grandmother on the cover. And my books are about believing in yourselves, imagination being kind to others, even if they’re different. And in the case of Ryza, girls struggle for more, that particular book is to inspire people to go after your dreams. So if a girl born in 1904, where life is so so different for young men and young women, then and, and she can make her dream come true, which was to be a business woman at the time, which was not, you know, very common, especially down south. If I could say that, and at least in her area should qualify that, then you can, then you can do that, too. And that’s really important to me, when schools are as big as they are, especially in high school, it’s easy in junior high, it’s easy to get lost. And I want kids to know that they are special. And whatever your dream is, just stay focused and be persistent. I mean, if I can do it, I feel like you can too. And I always tell the kids, look, I grew up in a small house compared to today’s homes. Men, and you can imagine, you know, six kids, a mom and dad and one bathroom. But it’s not about how much you have, or it’s are how little you have. It’s about what if you really want something? Let’s map out a goal and figure out how to make it happen.
 
Michael Hingson  23:39
Good advice. And, you know, we, we often just allow ourselves to be diverted or we, we tend to think, oh, we can’t do something and how do we how do we change that mindset with people? Obviously, you’re contributing to that by writing the books that you’re writing. But in general, how do we do we get people to recognize that probably, they can do a lot more than the things they could?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  24:03
Yeah, that’s really true. And, and I really believe that the first thing we can do is to be a good listener. So love yourself, but be a good listener. And if we could all become a better listener, and not really want to jump in and say, okay, okay, you’ve had your you had your say, Now, listen to me, because I really know the answers, right? That’s not being a good listener. Because if you’re a good listener, then you’re going to be learning and figuring out how to work together. And if you have a goal of something you’re wanting to do, and someone’s trying to help you map those skills out, be opened to listening so that you can design the best way to make that happen. At least that’s my two cents worth.
 
Michael Hingson  24:55
One thing that came to mind is just what’s going on In our country today where no one is listening, the politicians in general aren’t listening to most everyone else. And the politicians aren’t listening to each other. We’ve lost the art of conversation and discussion and finding solutions together, it seems to me, don’t you think?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  25:20
Yes, I try really hard not to discuss politics very much right? On, on what you’re speaking of, I can feel a little comfortable. You know, my daddy, I remember when I was young, we would be at the dinner table. And Daddy would say, this is not a good sign that people are putting out how they’re going to vet the signs in the yard. And one of my brothers would be saying, Well, why is that and it goes, because it would start infighting. And I think he was right. And then he said, Oh, zip kids, that’s not good. And, you know, I’d go, why daddy, and he goes, because people are gonna think their zip code and where they live is better. It’s dividing us. And then all of a sudden, he was like, I don’t want to fill out these circles. And you’re like, well, let’s circles and he’s like, we’re all Americans. I’m just gonna scratch this out and say, we’re all Americans, you know. And I think, you know, learning these little bit of wisdoms of knowing how things changed over time, that is led us to where we are today, that I wish I could get politicians to take some listening courses, to learn how to listen to again, and not be looking for the soundbite. That’s going to be the great soundbite to have on the news. It’s not about sound bites, it’s about running this country. It’s about working together. And seeing all of us is one, and how we can make that happen. And so you have to be able to figure out compromises and the art of compromise, I’m afraid sometimes is not happening. But I don’t have a magic wand to make everybody happy. But if I did, I would.
 
Michael Hingson  27:06
Yeah, well, that’s what you’re talking about is the point of my question, which is, it’s all about conversation. And it’s all about listening. We’ve lost the art of conversation. And there are a lot of reasons that we can probably point to, as to why that’s occurred. But the bottom line is that we become very undisciplined when it comes to talking with each other. And there’s, there’s no reason that we should be in that kind of position. There’s also no reason that we shouldn’t be able to ask why a lot more. And of course, the answer to that, in part is why not. So we need to really get back to finding ways to interact with each other. And I don’t know whether I totally go along with the zip code idea. Because we, we have, we have a postal system, and we have to deliver mail to people. And so it’s all about sorting. And as we grew, we needed to create something different. But I think it’s a discipline of how we deal with some of the changes that we’ve made, so that we don’t lose that, that conversational process in companies. So many times, the bosses know all the answers, and don’t listen to workers anymore. And we see a lot of that when we have discussions about business that people don’t recognize that they’re when they hire people. There’s a lot of expertise that comes with hiring people. And there’s also a divergence of opinions. The most important thing is to get the opinions to get all the data and then synthesize it in an objective way. And we just tend to lose that skill nowadays.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  29:01
I could not agree with you more, and I even agree with you on the zip codes. But would you like to run for president? That would be really nice.
 
Michael Hingson  29:13
Oh, that would be an interesting job.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  29:17
Yeah, that’s a tough one. It is a tough one. You know, I remember on Sundays Mom and Daddy like to listen to some of the political shows. And of course, my husband and I always did. And I remember, Tip O’Neill was really good about sitting down and speaking with Kennedy and I thought she was why can’t we have more of that today? Yeah. Yeah, so it’d be nice. Well,
 
Michael Hingson  29:45
going back to your books. You had mentioned something about you have a specific type font that you use and some of the books
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  29:53
specific font. Oh, yes, fine. Thank you for remembering that so sweet of you. Yes. So, so it’s called the dyslexia font. And once I discovered this fight, now I’m putting on my books and that font, it allows everyone to be able to read my books. And what I really love about it is that it’s an empowering book, but in so many ways, so kids who had to have dyslexia, which one of my nieces has, when they go into the library, they don’t have to go to a special section of books that are just for them. Now they can be like everybody and find the books and go, Oh, my gosh, I can I can actually read this. And that, to me is very empowering. And very exciting.
 
Michael Hingson  30:47
Have you done anything to make your books accessible to people who don’t necessarily read print or read print? Well,
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  30:54
I need to do that? No, I haven’t. You know, it’s, it’s very expensive to be a hybrid publisher. That’s our hybrid author. And so what that means is I have a publisher, but I also help invest in the publishing. And so the cost can add up quite a bit. So I still need to go for that audio books. And I wouldn’t mind having my books done in Braille as well, because that would be really good.
 
Michael Hingson  31:25
One place to get books converted to a usable form a readable form by people who are, if you will, individuals with print disabilities, this is an organization called bookshare.org. Bookshare is an organization that will take files and convert them to electronic media, they can be converted to Braille, but people can just plain download them as well. Now, obviously, if there are a lot of illustrations, the trick is to put in descriptions of the illustrations, but for the print parts, and so on, it is an easy way to get access to the to those books for people who don’t reprint. And the the point is that the copyright laws allow organization, they’ll allow books to be converted for people who are not going to reprint. And the the only people who can check books out or download books from Bookshare are people who are registered and who have print disabilities. So it’s, it’s a protected way. So the author doesn’t lose their ability to to create an income stream and so on, other than Bookshare makes the books available for people. So it’s something to look at. But the publishers should really be looking at that as well, because they should want your books to be inclusive, I would think.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  32:54
Absolutely. And even if they didn’t, the mere fact that you told me about it makes me want to do that. Because I think that, especially my messages that I have are for everyone. And I and I also think that being able to do something like that is giving back to the world. And I’m a total believer in that. And I am so grateful for you for telling me about Bookshare.
 
Michael Hingson  33:21
And so definitely, definitely something to look at. Well tell me about the little girl in the moon and the moon Ling series.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  33:28
Sure, I’ll be happy to. So my tagline is embrace your imagination. And the moon Ling series definitely does that. So the little girl in the moon lives on the moon. And she is a mainly just like you and I are Earthlings. And you have an opportunity to discover what Moon links look like in the little girl on the moon, the first book. The next one is the little girl on the moon and the big idea. And that book is really for everybody because it’s all about making kind wishes come true. And the book might how a little kid will read it. It’ll be totally different how an adult reads it. So I like to say it has a lot of layering and I I truly love that book. And then it more often to the moon Ling adventures and my youngest daughter is the illustrator for that. And in the main length of Ventures we bring in the little boy in the moon and both the little girl and the little boy Moon each one of their dog days. And they take us on adventures through going to the observatory and in and on the moon. And they experience in a simulator just like we would do back home on earth and they visit different parts. So the first one was Kenya, I’ll let you in for secret because no one else knows it. But you get to know about it. And your audience, and that is my daughter is working online, the main link adventures, birds around the world. And so I’m very excited about that one. And sequel. Yes, so we’ll have several. And the purpose of these books is the main length of ventures, again, is how much we are alike than different. So they live in Tycho town. And taiko is the largest crater on the moon that we can see from here on Earth. And so I build in ways that science and teachers can use this for curriculum, but also again, trying to show how much America where we are in the world, how we love different animals, how we enjoy different birds. And so find the similarities that connect us so that we can have moments to just have peace and tranquility, because we’re all humans, and we share this globe together. And so that’s really the purpose as the home angling adventures.
 
Michael Hingson  36:18
So this whole thing with the modeling Adventures is fascinating. Except how do they survive up there without an atmosphere on the Moon? Hmm. Excellent. Good technical here.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  36:30
Excellent question. So I actually have one where you meet Moxie, the little girl on the moon stogie, and you go on a tour of Tyco town, and you discover that as you go inside the crater, that you there’s this huge bubble, and this fig bubble allows them to be able to breathe inside their town, and, and then also, the bear, they have a fake gravity going on. Because their scientists are so smart, they can figure all that out. But when they’re on the actual surface of the moon, then just like our astronauts, they even the doggies have special shoes that keep them grounded. And so I that’s how I worked it all out. And I even have a whole back story about that, that one day, I’ll come out. And
 
Michael Hingson  37:31
well, the only problem was living on the moon, that’s my discomfort with living on the Moon is without an atmosphere, they must get bombarded by a whole lot more meteors than then we get hit with. Yes, those rocks come from anywhere.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  37:47
That’s true. But to enter a Tai Chi town, you actually have to press this one little rock that’s on the surface. And you enter this inside the cavity of the moon. And so it’s a whole new world, because your imagination?
 
Michael Hingson  38:05
Well, sure, well, there’s there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just that you do have to deal with the meteors and all that and, you know,
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  38:15
not having your inside, not appear inside
 
Michael Hingson  38:17
know that I understand. But it’s been on the. And of course, if the meteors hit the bubble, does that get noisy? So there’s another question for you to explore,
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  38:26
I will have to explore that. So much I will. I love it because you’re getting my imagination going. But I also have this book card, a song of peace. And it’s about a little boy named Tommy. And he just wants peace on earth. And there’s a twist to it at the end. Because a lot of books are written about peace. So I have a fun, unique little twist to it. And it just won a couple awards. And so I’m very proud of it. And right now, with everything going on. One thing we could do is everybody take a deep breath and just say the word piece over and over and over and put it out there.
 
Michael Hingson  39:12
Which goes back to what we talked about earlier with conversations and listening. Yes, it sure does. What kind of research or how do you do research for your books, I’m assuming just by listening to you that a lot of thought and research goes into what you do.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  39:27
Thank you. So the children’s books they come to me and I’m inspired when it comes to the moon Ling adventures. Yes, I do a lot of research I needed to really study birds and where they fly and when they’re migrating and if what where they migrate so I can show and teach the unity. So for example, the Dover bird it is in in Dubai I, but it also flies to several other countries migrates into the United States and to South America, and parts of Europe. And that makes it fun because again, it shows commonalities between the countries. And I always like to say rude because it was about my grandma but and rise of girls struggle for more, oh, my stars, I can’t even begin to tell you how much more admiration I have for historical fiction writers. Because years of studying goes into making, making sure you have the voice, right for that time period that you actually have the facts correct about the settings and so forth. And I actually wish I can wake my grandma up from heaven and say, Grandma, you didn’t yet a lot of other things you should have told me. It was because the 1920s is fascinating.
 
Michael Hingson  41:04
Oh, it is. And we, we talk about how in our world, we’ve advanced so much, and so on. But we forget a lot of the lessons that we could learn from before we and I put the term in quotes advanced so far.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  41:20
Yes. You’re absolutely right. And we repeat so many things. And so if we could just take a deep breath, especially you politicians, and listen to people have lived a little longer and and learn from that and learn from mistakes and history so that we don’t repeat, it would be quite lovely. Right?
 
Michael Hingson  41:43
So do you hear a lot from other authors and readers and so on? How do you interact with them? And they must give you ideas and things to think about as well?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  41:54
Thank you for the question. So I’ve joined several author groups, and I am always learning from them. And I appreciate so much from seasoned authors. Because, again, I was an excellent classroom teacher. And I want to be an excellent author. And the only way to do that is to learn from the seasoned authors. So I really appreciate it. And I have a publicist. Now, like I didn’t even know that authors could have publicist. And so actually, that’s how I met you. So kudos to my publisher, making that decision. And he is teaching me a lot as well. I am a young author in the sense of having things published. And so I have a huge learning curve. But that’s okay. Cuz that means when I’m out there, especially with students, they get a kick out of me saying, I’m on a learning curve, too. So let’s learn together.
 
Michael Hingson  42:59
Tell us about some of your speaking, trips to classes and so on. What does that been like?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  43:05
Um, it depends on what country I’m in. Because that really makes a difference in the culture and how you dress and so forth. So if I was in Saudi Arabia, then, you know, I wear a baya. And I always believe that no matter what country you’re in, you respect and follow their laws and their rules. And I had the opportunity. And I feel very blessed to be at a British school several times in Saudi Arabia. I spent her week there, and was with kiddos from elementary up through middle school, and then only was I in their classrooms had opportunities to teach some of them privately creative writing, read their writings have one on one conversations. But also, the principals at each school were incredible. They gave time off, I don’t know how they figured it out. But where I would have all the teachers in the auditorium and they could pick my brains. And that was really exciting. And as a matter of fact, a couple of them have are now published authors because of their experience there. So I feel very lucky. In America, I’ve been in many classrooms. And of course, since I understand the American system, I can you know, I’m like, you know, it’s like, yeah, I understand everything going on. What what is it that you want me to do? What is the outcome because I don’t do a canned presentation. I want to hear what is it you want to take away to be? And when I hear what that takeaway is, then I design a program for them. I have them go over it to make sure it is exactly what they want. And then we go from there. So it can be from working with young children all the way up to. So far it’s been ninth grade. And where we’ve done creative writing projects together. It’s for
 
Michael Hingson  45:15
you. It’s really, I think, important to not do canned speeches, I was talking with someone else about this recently. And I think that the best speakers are speakers who learn about their audiences, and who are even capable during the speech, of when necessary, making a course correction or whatever, to make sure that we’re connecting with the audience, and engaging the audience. And so as I put it, I love to talk with audiences. I never like to talk to an audience, no matter their age.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  45:52
I love that phrase speaking with not to, absolutely. And besides, you get energy from that, because, you know, they’re listening and engaging in what you’re saying. And so when they ask you a question, you’re like, Oh, I didn’t even really think of that. But your brain gives you an answer. It’s very exciting. I actually sock away full of energy.
 
Michael Hingson  46:16
That’s really a good point that when you open opportunities for questions, you never know what kind of questions you’re gonna get, especially with little kids. And I learn more from answering questions, especially from kids, because they’re not shy, generally speaking. And they’re very curious. And it’s fun to have real conversations, and they tend to respect you more, when you’re conversing with them, not just lecturing. Even when you’re answering a question, if your lecturer as opposed to talking with, they know the difference?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  46:57
Absolutely. I just recently, because of COVID, there was no in person. But now some of the schools are opening up and I was at this beautiful girl school. And the young girls had very direct questions. And sometimes instead of just answering the question directly, I would give examples of my own childhood because I wanted them to understand that I actually knew and understood what it was like to be a little girl, or to be a preteen. And then from there answer the question in the smiles that went on their faces with the question because they knew I was really trying hard for them. To know. I understand. Did that make sense?
 
Michael Hingson  47:44
Yeah, you they knew you got it? Because you remember living it yourself.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  47:50
And when people see you as an adult, sometimes they can’t even your own children. Imagine you live like what you were little Are you kidding me? I bet you couldn’t relate to the world.
 
Michael Hingson  48:02
You know, and from my perspective, as a speaker, I’m not happy unless I go away from an event learning more than I’m able to impart. And I can tell when that happens. When I get great, engaging questions, when I get an opportunity to interact before and after the event, and all the things that are occur, it is so much fun, to be able to have lots of takeaways as a speaker, so it’s it’s sharing knowledge and information, not just imparting knowledge and information.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  48:41
Oh, you are so right sharing. And then you just you’re you’re so excited and jittery that you know you just like I need a Diet Coke. And Coca Cola didn’t pay me to say that.
 
Michael Hingson  48:55
Yeah, well, so I understand. Time for something new. Yes, yeah. Well, what’s on the horizon? Book wise? I know you’re talking about one sequel coming up. But what’s, what’s next in terms of projects and so on for you?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  49:09
Sure. So I am working on the sequel to rise the girls struggle for more. It’ll be a good while before this out, because I just now finished the research. And so I’ve mapped out how it’s going to go
 
Michael Hingson  49:23
at least you’re going to be on the moon will be on the moon again. No, this
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  49:27
is a young adult historical fiction, the moon when I just shared the main link of venture birds around the world. And August I have coming out a time to fly and I’m supercharged about that one. It’s all about a little birdie who doesn’t want to leave this nest and his mama helps him get the courage to fly. And I think that is something that will every person can relate to it In US adults remembering there was a time that we were afraid to open that door. And, and so yeah, I’m really excited about that. And then in October, it’s Charlie and the tire swing. And that’s been on the back burner for some time. So, so excited it made it through up to the top list for the publisher to say it’s time to do that one. And that’ll morph and to Charlie and the tire swing adventures, so but this first one is all about how Charlie got the tire swing. And I’m really, really, both of them I’m just thrilled about and each have a different space in my heart for what they share and do.
 
Michael Hingson  50:45
What’s your favorite character that you’ve created? Or that that has invaded your psyche that has come out in books?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  50:51
Oh, gosh, that’s really tough, because I love how my characters are also special. But I would say, goodness, I actually, I love Harry the camel, because he’s all about he didn’t like himself. And, and you learn all the reasons why. And but in the end, he discovers there’s nothing better than being who you are. And so Harry has a real special place in my heart, because I want young people of all ages to know that they’re important. And they should love themselves. And I say should but I mean actually mean, I, I want them to fill in their heart to love themselves. Because once you love yourself, you can you can accomplish things. And so I guess if I had to say someone, it would be hairy.
 
Michael Hingson  51:42
When you said that you just finished research for which book
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  51:45
rise a girl struggle for more, it’ll be version two, it doesn’t have a title yet. So I’m excited about that. Because it’s based on my grandma’s life. As I said earlier, it’s continuing on to show once you’re in the workforce, what it was like for the women in the 1920s. But it’s set in such a way it takes place in Chicago. And it’s a real eye opener for what life was like, everyone always just thinks I shouldn’t say everyone, but most people think the 1920s was all about the Charleston and so forth. But there was more to that. And you actually start discovering. And there’s a real parallel to us right now to in our time world, because you’re starting to see the little tiny cracks that lead to hunger, and people losing their jobs, because they don’t have the money to go and purchase different things. So I think it’ll be a good learning experience and lots of levels. And a fun read.
 
Michael Hingson  52:55
And of course, of course, in the scheme of life, in Chicago, in the rest of the country in 1929, we had the stock market crash, which led to the depression, which is of course, a continuation of what can probably be a very fascinating story, how to get through all of that.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  53:14
That’s true. Luckily, for me, it will end before that happens. But yeah, it’ll lead it’ll lead right up to that. And, you know, I wish I would have been a better student in high school because I truly find history so fascinating. And I appreciate it so much more
 
Michael Hingson  53:33
much research left for you to do. Yeah.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  53:37
So much research.
 
Michael Hingson  53:39
Well, what so when your downtime you you garden, you say and you have a cattle dog, and that keeps you busy. What other kinds of things do you do?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  53:51
I enjoy singing. And when I was in Dubai, I was in popular productions, which is a part of the West End. So I was in musicals, and I have to get back to that again, because I do love singing. And I started taking piano lessons. And I don’t know I just love doing everything since it’s summertime. Now I go outside and guess swimming in our pool. And mostly I just like to look at the clouds and sing.
 
Michael Hingson  54:22
Well what kind of advice would you give to somebody who’s interested in possibly being an author or wants to take up this kind of work?
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  54:31
Sure. Right. You don’t have to be published. Just know right now, the moment you write something down, you are published because you’ve written in finder’s space or your favorite couch. favorite chair, even if it’s just you just have one room, find one space that you want to say that’s my holy ground. That’s where imaginations gonna come. And just write just Write whatever comes to you. And maybe it’s like, Oh, I love zebras today, just write different things down, and then just start creating stories. Your first stories are not going to be your best. It but the stories that just keep coming and coming will end up being, you’ll just become better and better. And when time is right, you’ll know when it’s time to go for it. And you’re so lucky today, because there’s so many ways that you can be an independent author, blurb, for example, allows you to get your to design your whole book, get it going. There’s a lot of different places like that, but just believe you can do it, and it will happen.
 
Michael Hingson  55:48
And that’s as good as it gets. And it’s great advice. And we have to start somewhere, right. And the fact is, I think all of us have stories, and we should tell the stories.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  55:59
Absolutely. We’re all storytellers. The moment someone says How is your day and you go, Oh, my gosh, it was horrible. I should have seen what happened today are two stories. It was such a lovely day. I met so and so it’s a story. And it’s to be told. And even if the first thing you write about are the stories from your childhood, those stories can be morphed into other stories. And so we are storytellers, you are absolutely right.
 
Michael Hingson  56:31
If people want to reach out to you and get a hold of you, how would they do that?
 
56:36
Sure. So the easiest way is just to go to my website, DiannFloydBoehm.com. Now I’m gonna spell it because it s D for dog. I A N a Nancy N F, L O Y D. B as in boy. O E H M.com. Diann Floyd Boehm.com. It looks like Diann Floyd bohem. But we pronounce it by Boehm
 
Michael Hingson  57:09
that’s all right, my screen reader pronounces it bone. So there you go.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  57:14
Yeah, it’s my husband’s name. I adopted it when I got married. Well,
 
Michael Hingson  57:19
I figured it was something like that. And then I spelled it, but I’m glad that you pronounced it. So Diane, Floyd boehm.com. And people can reach out and read things there. And they can contact you and so on as well.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  57:32
Yes, they may. And they can sign up for my newsletter. And all my books are on Amazon, Barnes and Noble. And you can order them through your local bookstores.
 
Michael Hingson  57:42
Well, on some time, we’ll have to talk about how accessible your website is and how to fix that, which is, of course, one of the things that I get to do being part of this company excessively. But that’s another story.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  57:53
I definitely want to talk to you about that. That would be awesome,
 
Michael Hingson  57:57
easy to do. So we will do that. Well, I want to I want to thank everyone for joining us today. I hope that you enjoyed our time with Diane, and that you will reach out to her. As I always say you are welcome to reach out to me, I’d love to know what you think you can reach me at Michaelhi at accessibe.com. And that’s M I C H A E L H I  at A C C E S S I B E.com. Or you can go to our podcast page, which is www dot Michael hingson.com/podcast and Michael Hingson is M I C H A E L H I N G S O N just like it sounds even. So if I don’t like beam yet correct, but I hope that you will reach out. We’d love to hear from you love your thoughts. If you’d like to be a guest, please reach out and let us know. If you know people who you think ought to be guests on our podcast. We’d love to hear from you about them or hear from them. Feel free to let us know about them as well. And of course, when you listen to this, please give us a five star rating. We appreciate your comments and ratings and suggestions and take them all to heart. So Diann once again. Thanks very much for joining us on unstoppable mindset.
 
Diann Floyd Boehm  59:13
It was my pleasure and honor thank you
 
Michael Hingson  59:20
 
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