Breezers Making Waves

“Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up!”

This month’s Breezer Making Waves is Diane Z. Shore, author of How to Drive Your Sister Crazy! and How to Drive Your Brother Bananas!

Let’s dig into how Diane published a sequel 17 years after her first book, and hear her encouragement for fellow Breezers like you. 

Hi Diane. What are we celebrating with you?

We're celebrating the long-awaited sequel to my I Can Read book, How to Drive Your Sister Crazy! After 17 years, How to Drive Your Brother Bananas!, complete with more hilarious antics and the same main character, will be on the shelves!

Congratulations! What does this opportunity mean to you?

Well, actually it's more of an opportunity for reluctant readers. I wrote How to Drive Your Sister Crazy! when my son (not a fan of reading) was seven and my daughter was nine. I'm hoping How to Drive Your Brother Bananas! will inspire even more kids to pick up a book and read!

What do you feel led you to this place on your journey?

Back in 2004, I sold an I Can Read book titled How to Drive Your Sister Crazy! to HarperCollins. The editor who acquired the book asked for more books featuring the same protagonist. I eagerly wrote four more books. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen editorial changes, the book that was ultimately published in 2008 was not favored by the new editor. (The new editor had previously rejected it at another publishing house.) It took a lot of persuasion and pestering, but 17 years later, How to Drive Your Brother Bananas! will be on the shelves! And luckily, the same illustrator (who came out of retirement) is doing the illustrations.

Do you have any advice for Breezers who want to achieve something similar?

NEVER GIVE UP! To quote Thomas Edison, "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up!" Although I'm not sure how "close" 17 years is! I have a lot more advice than that, but once you have honed your writing skills (the easy part) and are ready to submit your work, keep submitting and keep writing. You'll eventually find an editor/agent who loves your work! It took me 9 1/2 years and over 350 rejections before I had my first book published!

Send your warmest wishes to Diane on:

Website: https://dianezshore.com/

Are you making a splash on your creative journey? 

Big or small, we want to celebrate your recent success! Visit bit.ly/breezerspotlight to submit for a full-length interview or a brief mention in an upcoming spotlight.