Meet and Greet

Diane Estrella of That's What I'm Here For has a special blog feature called Meet and Greet, where readers get to know other writers. Diane's featuring yours truly there today, so if you have a minute, we'd be thrilled if you hopped over to say hello.

I thought it might be fun to turn the tables on Diane and host her here today. She's one sweet lady who does so much for the blogging community. I'm blessed to call her a friend.

In Diane's Meet and Greet posts, she asks writers for certain info. I thought it would be nice to get better acquainted with her through her answers to these same questions. So, here we go! :)

Name: Diane Estrella

State of Residence: Central New York (cuz if I just said NY, you'd think it was 'the City.' ;)

Height: 5'6"   

Age: 41..... AACK!

Hair Color: Boring brown, but thankfully, not too many grays.

Home life (Family, pets, etc.): One husband, Charlie. We've been married since 1995. A daughter Madeline, age 12 who loves to read and helps me with a lot of my book reviews, and a son Donato, age 10 who does not like to read, but I'm working on him. One cat, one gerbil, and five chickens round us out.

Occupation: SAHM who homeschools her kids!

Hobbies that you enjoy: In the winter, crocheting, baking (all year long), reading, and also watching movies and way too many Sci-fi TV shows on TV.

Top three favorite TV shows: Currently ARROW!!!! is my number one must see. Watching the lead character ALMOST makes me want to start working out and getting into shape. ;) I also love Psych and Shark Tank.

Favorite authors: I have "met" so many wonderful authors through blogging and doing all the book reviews I do, that I cannot honestly select any one. I will give a shout out to the girls in my writer's crit group that have been published and I am SO PROUD of them all: Elaine W. Miller, Amy Quonce, Lisa Buske, Paula A. Davis, and J.A. Zilske. Look them up on Amazon!

Go-to beverage of choice: Water. Why waste the calories if chocolate's around is my motto??!

What's your blog address?  www.dianeestrella.com

Why do you blog? What do you hope to accomplish with blogging?

Initially, I just wanted to be "out there" and be heard. The biggest struggle I have had with my blog is figuring out what my "niche" is. It's kind of hilarious to me that I can write a post on Finding your blog's niche, but I can't find my own. I guess I see it as, I'm good at and like a lot of things, but not great or love any one thing the most. This is where the "That's What I'm Here For...." byline got its start. If you need a laugh, advice, book or product promotion, encouragement, etc. then "That's What I'm Here For...."! Whatever you need, I'll try to fill it for ya. I guess like many others, I hope to either make money from my blog or use it as a springboard for my writing and when I become a published author. I've actually had two speaking engagements this year on The Benefits of Blogging so that has been an exciting next step in my blogging journey.  :)

What's the latest goings-on that you would want others to know about?

Always lots of giveaways, book and product reviews, and Meet & Greet's going on at my site. Trying to refocus for the new year and see where I'm headed for 2013.

Any words of encouragement or wisdom to impart?

My all-time favorite quote was found on a sugar packet in a greasy diner. My sister made a cross-stitch of it for me:

If you have tried to do something and failed, you are vastly better off than if you had tried to do nothing and succeeded.  Richard Martin Stern

My favorite Bible passage is from Habakkuk 3:17-19 

Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. 

Both speak of overcoming and not giving up, which I love!

Where can readers connect with you online?

My site: www.dianeestrella.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianeestrella
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/diane.estrella.94 and
http://www.facebook.com/pages/DianeEstrella/301382044807?ref=hl
Klout: http://klout.com/#/dianeestrella/

Thank you, Diane, for sharing with us today! It was good to learn more about you. You are a blessing. Wishing you all the best!

Thank you, and thanks for having me, Karen! :o)


Don't forget - if you have a minute, stop over and see us at Diane's blog today. Thanks a bunch! :)


Have you met Diane yet? How has blogging expanded your circle of friends?

Happy writing,

Karen 

Teacup image: Stock Exchange