Guest Post and Giveaway: Timespell by Diana Paz

Since at various times in my life I wanted to be a princess (my family would argue I still do), a lawyer, an architect, a publisher, an accountant, a journalist, a writer and a chocolate-eating blogger (I have odd standards), I’m always curious about what successful people would have been if they’d taken a different road somewhere in their past. When I had the opportunity to ask Diana anything, I thought about Timespell, which sends a group of friends back in time and it made me think again about those roads not traveled.

I asked Diana:

At some point, you had to have thought about being something other than a writer, even if you were just a girl. Imagine if you had lived that life – what would it have been, without ever writing? How would it have been different, who wouldn’t you have met, what opportunities would you have had that you don’t have now, in what places would you be more or less fulfilled?

If I had never been a writer… well, when I was little, I always loved books and making up my own stories, and I often wrote them down, but it never dawned on me that I could actually grow up to be a professional writer. The first job I wanted to be an artist. I remember winning my school’s art contest in the fifth grade and having my painting displayed at the local library, and I thought for sure that I was going to be an artist when I grew up. Then in junior high I learned to play the violin, and I devoted myself to hours of practice, loving the music and being a part of an orchestra so much, that I thought for sure I was going to be a violinist.

By the time I got to college, being an artist or a violinist seemed like little girl dreams, even for a bookworm daydreamer like myself, so I set my sights on something more practical. I would teach elementary school! It seemed ideal… I could use art and music in my lessons, and best of all, I could read aloud to my students and expose them to great books! Except… by then I realized that the one constant in my life had always been books and stories, and I was already writing my first novel, just for fun. That’s about the time I realized, writing was what I wanted to do most of all.

But what if I hadn’t decided to try? What if I hadn’t felt compelled to write those stories down?

I suppose I would have more time for video games if I didn’t spend my free time writing… I suppose I might spend more time sketching pictures and practicing piano… but I think the biggest difference in my life would be in the people I might never have met. My best friend, for one, along with many other close friends. I can’t imagine my life without them! I also don’t think I would understand myself as much. If I had never started writing down my stories as a little girl, and continued to do so through adulthood, I might not have gained insight into who I am through my characters’ experiences. I really can’t imagine my life being better if I had never been a writer, but it’s pretty fascinating to think about, and it makes me appreciate the path that led to me to where I am today.

Diana Paz writes books about magic, adventure, and romance. She was born in Costa Rica, grew up on Miami Beach, moved to Los Angeles in high school, and went to college in San Diego. Basically, she’s a beach bum. Diana graduated from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts. She loves old movies, epic fantasy, all kinds of music, and heading to the beach with a good book. Preferably sipping a highly sweetened iced coffee

You can find Diana:

Her Website
Her Blog
Facebook
Twitter

Now for the giveaway! There will be four winners – the first prize is a signed paperback, some treats, swag-o-rama and an ebook. Three additional winners will win an ebook, treats and swag. The giveaway is open for US and Canada. Good luck!

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