Rise! A Girl's Struggle for More is an old-fashioned, historical family drama-a sweet, yet edgy, coming of age story. Set in the 1920s, it is based on the life of the author's grandmother.
I am pleased to welcome Diann Floyd Boehm to The Writing Desk:
Tell us about your latest book.
I write both picture books and historical fiction. My latest historical fiction books are Rise! A Girl’s Struggle for More and the follow-up, Ruby Takes Chicago, published by OC Publishing. The first book takes readers back to the early 1900s, a time when the world was rapidly changing, yet opportunities for women remained limited. Girls were expected to marry young, raise families, and support their husbands. Few were encouraged to dream beyond the domestic sphere.
Ruby, my protagonist, is not content to follow that path. She’s bright, curious and fiercely determined to get a college education, something almost unheard of in her small town. Her parents value education, but after high school they expect her to settle down, just as most girls did. Ruby has other plans. Against cultural expectations and the whispered gossip of neighbors, Ruby finds her own path to independence. Her courage and perseverance make her both a subject of talk for us now.
Ruby’s story is deeply personal to me because it’s inspired by my grandmother’s life. Writing about Ruby allowed me to pay tribute to that quiet generation of women who paved the way for the freedoms we often take for granted. Their grit, grace and belief in themselves laid the foundation for future generations of women to dream boldly.
What is your preferred writing routine?
I’m a morning writer at heart. There's something magical about those early hours when the world is still waking up and the possibility of the day feels wide open. My thoughts are fresh, and my imagination seems sharper before I’m caught up in everyday responsibilities. With a cup of tea by my side and a quiet house around me, I can lose myself completely in the story.
Once the day gets rolling it’s harder to slip into that creative flow. Writing in the morning feels almost sacred, like I’m giving the best part of my day to the thing I love most. And when I start the day creating something, everything else seems to fall into place a little more smoothly.
What advice do you have for new writers?
The best advice I can offer is simply to start. There isn’t one perfect roadmap to becoming a writer-every journey is unique. Write your story and see where it leads. Then write another one. Your early stories may never be published, but they help you develop. Each page strengthens your voice, builds confidence, and reminds you why you love storytelling.
Join local and online writing groups, other writers inspire and educate. You’ll learn about the craft, publishing, and marketing, perhaps even more importantly, you’ll discover you’re not alone. Writing is solitary, but the author community gives encouragement.
Finally, try to write for the joy of it, not be published. The love of creating something meaningful will carry you through the inevitable challenges along the way.
What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness for your books?
Spreading the word about your work takes a team and constant effort. I’m grateful to work with Creative Edge, my publicist, who helps me reach a wider audience through interviews, events and media outreach. Abundantly Social manages my social media presence, keeping my readers engaged with updates, inspirational posts, and behind-the-scenes glimpses.
I use my website and blog as key tools for connecting with readers and sharing news about upcoming projects. Social media has been a powerful way to build relationships and introduce my books to parents and teachers who are always are always looking for uplifting stories for children. Every platform, from Instagram, Facebook, X to LinkedIn, offers a way to reach new audience and celebrate storytelling.
Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research.
While researching Rise! A Girl’s Struggle for More, I discovered something fascinating about how language and culture develop. The term “teenager” didn’t truly exist in 1912 when Ruby’s story begins. It wasn’t until the 1920s that the term started appearing, and even then, it took nearly three decades before society widely recognized “teenagers” as a distinct stage of life between childhood and adulthood.
Earlier society expected young people to grow up quickly, take on adult responsibilities, and blend into adulthood without experiencing the in-between phase we now call adolescence. Realizing that helped me understand just how different Ruby’s world was-and how revolutionary her to question expectations and imagine a broader future.
What was the hardest scene you remember writing?
The football scene in Rise! A Girl’s Struggle for More was surprisingly challenging! I wanted the energy and excitement of the game to leap off the page, but I also needed to make it historically accurate for 1912. That meant researching the layout of the field, uniforms, the rules, etc. I wanted readers to be transported to that earlier time. Balancing accuracy with the flow of the story can be tricky, but it’s one part of writing historical fiction I enjoy most. I also called up my youngest brother, who knows the history of football and was a great help to me in making sure the game was a fun read.
What are you planning on writing next?
I always have new ideas bubbling! Right now, I’m working on a series of short stories inspired by the impact pets have on our lives. Animals teach us love, loyalty, and empathy in the most beautiful ways. These stores celebrate the small yet powerful connections and how they shape who we are. I’m also continuing to develop new picture book ideas starring my beloved character, Boomer the Curious Bunny, who delights young readers everywhere with his adventures and sense of wonder, published by Plum Creek Press.
Storytelling, whether historical fiction or children’s books, continues to be my way of connecting hearts and generations-reminding all readers, young or old, that dreams truly have no limits.
Diann Floyd Boehm
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