Local Writer Looking to Publish Her Life Story

St. Peters resident Diane How is a story-teller. Currently, she’s telling the story of her life while simultaniously realizing a long-hoped for wish.

“I have always had a love of writing, and I’ve always had the desire to do it,” she said of her aspiration.

After retiring from her job with the government in July of 2010, How began to nurture her long-time dream of becoming a writer. How said previously she has done some technical writing as well as doing some personal writing for friends and family members.

How said she has written poems for various celebrations, such as birthdays, graduations and retirements, for years. Her poetic ability is something that How feels comes from a place much deeper than herself.

“My poems are what I consider a gift, I don’t even feel like I should take credit for them,” she said of her skill.

How said she has taken several English composition and adult education classes pertaining to writing as well as doing some journaling in the past. According to How, learning to put her thoughts down on paper has helped her through many tough periods in her life.

“It’s sort of my release,” she said of the craft.

It was her prior coursework that brought How to her current writing project—creating her memoir. She said she decided to begin her biography after taking a class on memoir writing. Before she was working on her memoir, How said she had started writing a romance novel and had written several short stories.

Although she has been working on the memoir since July of 2010, How said she has dedicated the last six months to writing more consistently. The writer said she set a goal and wanted to have the first draft done one year after she retired.

How said her next goal is to have all her redrafts done by November and hopes to publish her memoir, "Peaks and Valleys," which will highlight the ups and downs of her life. How said she is still looking at various publishing options for her biography, including the possibility of self-publishing.

Up next, How would like to write an inspirational book, for people who have family members with Alzheimer’s. How’s mother had the disease and she said writing, particularly writing in a journal, helped get her through many tough situations.

 “I began writing more and more as I needed to have some place to put my thoughts, and writing has always been very comforting to me,” she said.

How’s other interests besides writing include doing volunteer work with the Girl Scouts, which is something she has done for 33 years. How also belongs to a dinner club, is a member of Pen to Paper writers group and fishes with her husband, Lee, at Winfield Dam.