Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author Diann Floyd Boehm (Ruby Takes Chicago)!
Meet the Author: Diann Floyd Boehm
Diann Floyd Boehm is an award-winning international author. Diann writes children’s books and young adult books. In addition, Diann writes books to inspire kids to be kind, like themselves, and to “Embrace Imagination”. You can find all her books on Amazon.
Diann’s Story Garden YouTube Channel gives children the opportunity to hear different children authors read their stories.
Diann is the co-host with Dr. Jacalyn on USA Global TV.
Diann continues to be involved in various humanitarian projects with multiple organizations.
Diann was born to parents of George and Mabel Floyd in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but grew up in Texas with five brothers. She has traveled extensively to many parts of the world and has lived in the Philippines and Dubai.
Keep in touch with Diann by joining her newsletter: www.Diannfloydboehm.com.
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About the Book: Ruby Takes Chicago
Ruby Takes Chicago is the sequel to Rise! A Girl’s Struggle for More. It’s now the 1920s, and a young Ruby Dinsmore leaves her hometown of Oilton, Oklahoma, and heads for Chicago to make her dreams come true. In the first book, Ruby, born in 1904, grows up wanting to be a businesswoman and does everything she can to make it happen. At the end of Rise, Ruby’s family realizes that her dreams can only come true in a larger town where the workforce would accept a young woman with a college education. Once in Chicago, Ruby realizes with surprise that, even in a big city, society as a whole still hesitates to accept women who work outside the home. Determined to stay true to herself, she takes on the challenges of life in tumultuous times of Prohibition, protests, and women’s rights marches. Ruby meets like-minded women, and together they break through the barriers until Ruby lands the perfect job, all amidst discovering the joys of life and love, and heartbreak… and love again.
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~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
Ruby Takes Chicago is the sequel to Rise a Girl’s Struggle for More. I was not sure I would do a sequel, but my publisher had enough feedback from readers that it was important to let the readers learn more about Ruby. I gave it some thought and agreed with OC Publishing that the rest of Ruby’s journey should inspire readers to find her dreams in a man’s world.
The main character, Ruby Dinsmore, is based on my grandmother Ruby. She was an inspiration to me, and I believe inspires her readers to go after their dreams.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
The main character, Ruby Dinsmore, is my favorite character because she is someone the readers can relate to: working, love, heartache, friendship and the ups and downs of life.
YABC: How do you know when a book is finished?
I always find it hard to stop writing a story. I go back and forth, wanting to add or delete. Lucky for me, my publisher says, “Diann, you can put the pen down.” That is a great feeling.
YABC: What research did you do to write this book?
There is a lot of research that goes into writing historical fiction. I studied the:
· Years covered in the story
· Weather
· Political environment
· Fashion
· Speech
· Customs
I must admit, I enjoyed learning so much that I went down rabbit holes and would have to get back to the purpose of the story.
YABC: How do you keep your ‘voice’ true to the age category you are writing within?
Great question. There are a few ways I work to make sure I am true to my voice. My mom would give me feedback Rise a Girl’s Struggle for More. Ruby Takes Chicago I knew all the stories from my mom, grandma, aunts and cousins. Probably more information than my grandma would have wanted me to know, which helped me stay true to Ruby’s voice. Plus, I was very close to my grandma Ruby, so I knew her personality and her sisters would tell me even more stories about how grandma was and how the town reactions were to a girl who wanted more in life.
Second, my publisher, Anne O’Connell, played a huge role making sure I was true to my character’s voice.
Third, I would read out loud my work and when I do that, I can hear how I can improve my writing or if I knocked it out of the park.
YABC: What hobbies do you enjoy?
I enjoy gardening, quilting, singing. I am talking some AI classes to learn about the pros and cons of AI for authors.
YABC: What do you do when you procrastinate?
Depending on the season, I will be out gardening, and in the winter, I will be sewing. I have a new sewing machine that does embroidery, so I am learning how to use the embroidery part of the machine. I also enjoy simple quilting. I find it all very relaxing and my imagination seems to return so I can get back to my writing.
YABC: What is your favorite holiday or tradition and why?
I love holidays for various reasons, but I must say Thanksgiving is my favorite. I have 5 brothers and their families and my sisters-in-law’s families. We all meet up at one brother’s home and sometimes we have over 32 people there. It has enabled cousins to be friends and develop a close family relationship.
We have a major feast with everyone bringing their favorite dish. There are games for the kids, watermelon contest, egg toss, water toss etc. One of my brothers gives a little speech reminding the younger ones of the purpose of Thanksgiving and the feast begins. We gather around 1pm and sometimes no one leaves till late into the night.
Title: Ruby Takes Chicago
Author: Diann Floyd Boehm
Release Date: November 13, 2023
Publisher: OC Publishing
Genre: Y/A
Age Range: 13 -18
