Interview with Reverend Diane C. Lund | by Marilyn R Wilson
Please share a bit about your journey to become a published author.
I have worked as a writer/producer, first at Vancouver advertising agencies, and for the last 28 years in my own company - Creative Wonders Communications. I always wanted to write a book. However, I was always busy writing for other people.
One day I met Julie Ann Salisbury’s assistant at a conference. Influence Publishing had a table there and I stopped by to talk about my writing aspirations. Her assistant eventually set up a meeting with Julie, and I went to her Inspire A Book weekend workshop - that was about four or five years ago. I presented four different book outlines to the group and they decided I should write the book that was my fourth choice - first!
Julie’s workshop started me down the path to writing my book: Turn Your World Upside Down to Get Your Life Right Side Up: Reverse Thinking based on A Course in Miracles. Book I: Life’s Big Questions, Relationships, Work and Money. To focus on the writing of the book I went to Julie’s writing retreats in Turks and Caicos, France and Mexico. It has been a journey with many twists and turns as I decided I didn’t want to just write a book, I wanted to learn how to market the book and create a new business called Diane Lund Miracles, focused on my on-going passion: spirituality.
How does the writing process work for you? Do you schedule a time every day or work madly when inspiration hits?
Generally, I write on the weekends because I write during the week for my many Creative Wonders’ clients. I write websites, brochures, online ads, videos and much more. So, at the end of my workday my brain is tired. The weekends work best because I can have an uninterrupted period of time to focus on my writing. However, this writing project did seriously cut into my ability to socialize with friends and family on the weekends.
What did you find most difficult about the writing and publishing process?
What was the easiest?
The thing I found most difficult about the writing and publishing process was learning how to market my book. There was just so much to learn and do. I took a course called Author to Income from Tamara Monosoff. She was the one that encouraged me to do a video introduction for each chapter, something I would have never thought to do.
Creating the videos was literally the easiest thing I did for the book. Julie and I created all thirty videos in France at the most amazing locations. I would just listen to my inner guidance and when I heard “do a video here” I gave my cell phone to Julie she would then give me a chapter and I would just speak off the cuff – no scripts. Generally, all the videos were done in just one or two takes in locations I never could have even dreamt of because I did not know they even existed. The whole experience was truly miraculous for me!
What title (or titles) have you released?
Please include a short synopsis of what your book is (or books are) about.
I have been in two collaborative books before. In Family Tree, I tell the story about how my mom and I healed our wounded relationship. And in WOW Woman of Worth: 15 Empowered Entrepreneurs Share Success Stories with Soul, I share how I went from working for someone else to starting my own company. The book that I am about to publish on June 10th is all stories from my life that illustrate the reverse thinking principles presented in A Course in Miracles. As a long-time student, teacher and Reverend for A Course in Miracles I am dedicated to helping people think from love and not from fear. Changing my mind about the world around me is what helped me to live a happier more peaceful life. I believe the current COVID world situation is calling us all to do the same thing. It is time to rethink and realign with new values. I hope my book can help people do just that.
Do you have any new books in the planning or writing stage?
Due for Release in 2021 is Book II of Turn Your World Upside Down to Get Your Life Right Side Up: Reverse Thinking Based on A Course in Miracles. The second book is focused on Health, Conflict and Fear, Happiness. Plus, I have also written a beautiful full colour e-book called: The Language of Love: From A to A in A Course in Miracles.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I have always been a spiritual seeker – not religious, just interested in looking with to answer questions such as: who are we, where did we come from, why are we here and where are we going? It took decades of personal searching to finally reach the place where many of the longings of my heart were answered. Along the way, I personally would have liked more mentors. My hope is that this book finds its way into the hands of those like me who were sincerely searching for answers to their deep life questions.
Do you have any closing thoughts, or a favourite quote, you'd like to share?
“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” Unknown
I believe peace is something that always exists. It is not something to be found, it is something that reveals itself to you. Peace is. Just as love is. But, we cover up our inner peace and love with fearful thinking. When we do this we become confused, frustrated, full of anxiety, worry and doubt. Then we project blame and guilt rather than reach within ourselves to change our perceptions. I wrote this book to help us all look within, so we can change our minds and come from a loving perspective on all things. I truly believe now is the time to change our thinking if we want to truly change our world. Reverend Diane C. Lund
