Young Adult Fiction
Date Published: January 31st, 2023
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
North Carolina Simon hates her name. As a fourteen-year-old girl growing up in the 1970s, she has a lot of challenges. People not only make fun of her name, but also scoff at her eccentric family. Dad’s a hoarder, Mom’s an unpredictable artist, and her older sister lives with an autism diagnosis. After a humiliating middle school event shatters her confidence as a singer, North determines to break free from the stigma surrounding her family.
As she starts high school, North tells people to call her Carol. Armed with a new name, she updates her appearance, befriends a popular boy in hopes of joining his band, distances herself from her two longtime friends, and avoids being seen with her adoring and dependent sister. Everything seems to be going according to plan until her sister suddenly disappears. Carol is forced to face reality. Should she continue to focus all her time and energy on fitting in or should she surrender to God’s calling on her life?
Finding True North is a prequel to Sticks and Stones, but each can be read as stand-alone novels.
What is the hardest part of writing
your books?
I’d say the hardest part is probably
the editing process, only because it’s my least favorite part. In spite of this
though, I know how important this step is, and I’m always more satisfied with
what I’ve produced after I see the improved version.
What songs are most played on your
Ipod?
One of my favorite groups is Bay
Ledges. One of my favorite solo artists is Brandon Lake. I also love music from
the 70s, indie rock, some older rap/hip-hop, and contemporary Christian music.
I guess I have quite a range of music interests!
Do you have critique partners or beta
readers?
Yes. I felt that was especially
important with this current novel, Finding
True North, as I wanted to make sure I wrote authentically about characters
like Aria, who is on the autism spectrum.
What book are you reading now?
I always seem to have a few books
going at once. I just finished The
Serpent King by Jeff Zentner and have started Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. In non-fiction, I’m reading Help is Here by Max Lucado, and I also
read the Bible each morning.
How did you start your writing career?
I wrote in college for a local
newspaper, then wrote in my career as a public relations coordinator, and began
my first novel, published in 2020, while teaching middle school English. I
promised one of my classes that I would finish the manuscript before they
graduated Eighth Grade and that was one of the best things I ever did. They
were very good about asking me on a regular basis, “Did you finish your novel, Mrs. Beck?” That
kept me going, and I finished it on time!
Tell us about your next release.
Finding True North
features main character North Carolina Simon, who hates her name. As a fourteen-year-old girl growing up in the
1970s, she has a lot of challenges. People not only make fun of her name, but
also scoff at her eccentric family. Dad’s a hoarder, Mom’s an unpredictable
artist, and her older sister lives with an autism diagnosis. After a
humiliating middle school event shatters her confidence as a singer, North
determines to break free from the stigma surrounding her family.
As she starts high school, North tells
people to call her Carol. Armed with a new name, she updates her hair and
clothes, befriends a popular boy in hopes of joining his band, distances
herself from her two longtime friends, and avoids being seen with her adoring
and dependent sister. Everything seems to be going according to plan until her
sister suddenly disappears. Carol is forced to face the fact that fitting in
and being popular have come at a cost, and that the sister she might lose could
have the answer to what she’s been looking for
all along.
Finding True North
is a prequel to Sticks and Stones,
but each can be read as stand-alone novels.
About the Author
Dianne Beck has spent most of her career teaching students ranging from kindergarten through adult and currently works as a high school youth director at her church. In each of these roles, she hopes to encourage students to be their own unique selves, to have confidence in who they are, and to follow their passions. Dianne’s debut young adult novel Sticks and Stones, winner of multiple awards, was inspired by her years of teaching, where she saw how an understanding ear and relevant literature could make a significant impact on students’ lives. She hopes young people and adults can find faith and strength in her stories.
Visit her author website at http://www.diannebeck.com.
Contact Links
Instagram: @beck_dianne
Purchase Links
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Posts
The book sounds wonderful. Beautiful cover.
ReplyDelete