E622 - Diana Harmon Asher - Author of Sidetracked, Upstaged, and Trouble Finds Evie Lefkowitz

EPISODE 622 - Diana Harmon Asher - Author of Sidetracked, Upstaged, and Trouble Finds Evie Lefkowitz

I’m Diana Harmon Asher, the author of Sidetracked, Upstaged, and the upcoming Trouble Finds Evie Lefkowitz.

It took me a long time to get a book published. A really long time.

There were a lot of “no’s” before I got to “yes.” But I kept writing and I kept learning. Finally, I wrote Sidetracked, and the answer was “yes!”

One of my teachers used to say that every character you create contains a piece of yourself. I definitely share a lot of worries with Joseph, and I’d like to think I’m a good friend like Heather. I’m an opera fan like Grandpa and I love Inishbofin sheep and Dickens, like Mrs. Fishbein. I hope I have some of Cassie’s goofiness in me, and like Paul, I’ll never fit in with the cool kids. I share Shira’s shyness, some of her stage experience (see photo) and a lot of her stage fright.

Like my newest character, Evie, my father was a cantor at our synagogue (something you’ll find out more about in the book), and he passed away when I was young.  But also like Evie, I was surrounded by love and good friends. I never really did get into a lot of trouble…but maybe I should have! I hope I share Evie’s resilience, her optimism, and most of all, her sense of humor.

Writing itself makes me happy. But knowing that readers are enjoying my books is even better. I love when kids identify with Heather, or when a student proudly announces that they have ADD just like Joseph. I love the thought that some of you might be encouraged to strive for your own personal record, audition for a show, try out for a team, stick up for an old friend, and be open to new ones.

And I hope all of my stories give you a few chuckles along the way.

I look forward to meeting and hearing from more of you in the months and years to come!

https://dianaharmonasher.com/