MaryAnn Diorio: A Talented Artist Praising God

Everyone's story welcomes Dr. MaryAnn Diorio as its new guest during this holiday week. I've had the pleasure getting to know MaryAnn in the Northeast Chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers. Now it's exciting to see MaryAnn's release of her novella, A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING. Yet, MaryAnn isn't new to the writing world, having written hundreds of articles for magazines, as well a columns for newspapers. MaryAnn has also appeared in several radio and television talk shows, is a Certified Life Coach, and as you can see below, is also an artist. Her bottom line: she praises God for all that He has done in her life.

Book Giveaway: 

MaryAnn is offering one e-version of A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING to one randomly chosen commenter.

And here's some great news: because this is an e-book, anyone in any country can be a winner. The winner will be announced between 4-5 EST on December 28th. For convenience, please leave your email address within the body of your comment. Thanks.

Here's a blurb on A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING:          

Seven Christmases have passed since Sonia Pettit last heard from her daughter Jody. Since Jody’s departure, Sonia’s world has been turned upside down. Her husband has died of a broken heart, and her son, bitter over his sister’s destructive actions, has become rebellious. 

Her greatest desire is to have her family together at Christmas, but after what Jody has put them all through, can Sonia truly forgive her daughter? 

Jody Pettit O’Dair ran away to experience a life of adventure and excitement, but since her departure, her world has been turned upside down. She’s been abandoned by the man she met and married, lost her job, and is unable to care for her two children. With nowhere else to turn, this prodigal daughter begins the long journey home and prays she will be welcomed after walking away so long ago. 

Will Jody find forgiveness in the arms of her family as easily as she received it from God? 

Questions for MaryAnn

Your bio on your website is impressive. Congratulations in achieving your goals of writing, counseling, fine arts, and theology. Can you share your secret of your energy source? Only joking! Please share with us your path to publication.

I wrote poetry from the age of fifteen when my first poem was published as the result of winning a national poetry contest. I continued to write poetry and still do so today. At the age of 30, I sensed God’s call to write for Him. My ministry was launched as the result of a poem that I wrote and that was accepted by The Saturday Evening Post. Being the novice that I was, I had no idea that this was a difficult market to tap. I considered my acceptance by that prestigious publication as God’s confirmation of my call to write for Him.

How has your background helped in shaping you as an author? Despite this rich, varied history, did you still have to overcome obstacles before the success of publication?

Oh, my yes, I still have to overcome obstacles. What serious writer doesn’t? As for how my background has shaped me, it has taught me to dream big, to persevere, and to believe. It has taught me that there is a price to pay for success, and that success comes to those who never quit. It has taught me to trust in God and in His timing, purpose, and plan for my life. 

You’re also an artist that works in oils, acrylics, pastels, colored pencil, and pen-and-ink. Would you like to share any of your work?

Sure. Thank you for asking, Elaine. This is an acrylic titled Geometrics. (more will be below)

Copyright by MaryAnn Diorio.  All rights reserved.

Any tips on how to make the most out of one’s past when it comes to creating?

First of all, I don’t believe in the Muse. I believe in the Holy Spirit who gives me ideas and helps me to write them into stories. I believe that every experience we have had plays into who we are which, in turn, plays into our writing. Holy Spirit can take our experiences, especially our difficult ones, and use them to touch lives through the talents God has given us.

A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING is a novella released by Harbourlight Books, an imprint of the Pelican Book Group. The story has an interesting spin on the prodigal son: the prodigal daughter. Where did this idea come from? Would you like to expand this theme into a full-length novel?

Last spring, I saw a notice from the Pelican Book Group that this publisher was looking for Christmas novellas. I discerned a nudging in my spirit that I should write a story, so I asked God to give me an idea. The idea for A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING emerged as a result.

B&W Man, in acrylics
Copyright by MaryAnn Diorio
All rights reserved.

What advantages did you find by working with a small publisher?

The Pelican Book Group, and, in particular, Harbourlight Books, has been a wonderful publisher with whom to work. From my book cover designer, Nicola Martinez to my editor Fay Lamb, every person involved in the publication of my book has demonstrated the utmost professionalism, expertise, patience, and kindness. They have treated me as though I were the only author with whom they are dealing, which is definitely not the case.  This kind of personal attention is one of the 

advantages of working with a small publisher. 

Author Bio: 

Dr. MaryAnn Diorio is passionate about writing compelling fiction about the deepest issues of the human heart.  She has won several awards for her fiction, including First Place in Inspirational Fiction in both the 2011 Colorado Romance Writers Heart of the Rockies Contest and the 2011 Space Coast Launching a Star Contest for her novel, The Madonna of Pisano. Dr. MaryAnn, as she is affectionately called, resides in New Jersey with her wonderful husband.  They are the blessed parents of two grown daughters and a fantastic son-in-law. In her spare time, MaryAnn loves to oil paint, read, walk, and play the piano.

You can find MaryAnn on the web:

Website

Blog

Facebook

Twitter: @drmaryanndiorio

Harbourlight Books, a division of the Pelican Book Group