Dianne Lehmann

500 Words or Less

When I first started writing professionally, I was asked to provide high-quality content that got the point across clearly and concisely. It was suggested that I keep my articles to 500 words or less. If you are reporting about a robbery (I never did) all you really need to do is answer the who-what-where-when-how-why questionsContinue reading “500 Words or Less”

Father Figures

My father loved me. I’m sure of it. He never really expressed it in words. It was more in the way he looked at me across the dinner table or stayed with me until I fell asleep on those nights that something troubled me. It was in the tenderness of his hand atop my head.Continue reading “Father Figures”

Reading for Inspiration?

Back when I started writing my first novel, Bernd (my husband) bought a book by Sheri S. Tepper titled “The Family Tree.” He read it and said that it was very good and that I should read it; with one caveat. He said I should not read it until I had finished my book. HeContinue reading “Reading for Inspiration?”

In Gratitude for Beauty

Now and then I am astounded anew by the incredible beauty and unimaginable complexity of the world around me. I feel awe and appreciation and gratitude for being allowed to be a part of it. I experience a closeness that gives me peace and a sense of purpose like nearly no other thing can. ItContinue reading “In Gratitude for Beauty”

Memoir vs Autobiography

Some years ago, I read an article in an AARP publication about writing a memoir. The takeaway was that the author thought everyone should write a memoir and that if you found it interesting, chances were that others would find it interesting too. I’m not certain that is always true, but decided to give itContinue reading “Memoir vs Autobiography”

Jigsaw Puzzle Mania

Jigsaw puzzles! Hoo boy. I get a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment from putting jigsaw puzzles together. Nerdish? Probably. My husband, Bernd, enjoys it also, but not nearly as much as I do. We’ve only recently begun doing jigsaw puzzles again. When we first moved to Arizona, we’d spend our evenings working on one together.Continue reading “Jigsaw Puzzle Mania”

Dog On It by Spencer Quinn

“Dog On It” is the first novel in a series written by Spencer Quinn. The series is known as the Chet and Bernie Mysteries. At a glance, it might seem like a run-of-the-mill mystery novel, but that notion is soon dispelled by the disclosure that Chet is a dog. Bernie Little runs the Little DetectiveContinue reading “Dog On It by Spencer Quinn”

Fallin

Have you ever had a dream that was so real you thought surely you must be awake? A dream where you can feel the wind tossing your hair and the sun on the back of your neck? Where the sounds are so clear and the colors so vivid that it’s almost too real to beContinue reading “Fallin”

Weird Words

It’s said that the English language might possibly have more words in it than any other comparable world language. People are always qualifying things and I have no idea what might be meant by comparable. Unless they mean a marginally (qualifier) related language like German or Dutch. In any case, most accounts put the numberContinue reading “Weird Words”

Writing and Letting Go

Quite a few years ago, I did a lot of writing for a website that, in exchange for content, allowed me to advertise my own website. It was a great arrangement. I got to hone my writing skills and, ideally, drive buyers to my jewelry “shop.” I received a comment on one of my articlesContinue reading “Writing and Letting Go”