Friday Friend: Diana Cosby

Please welcome Diana Cosby to our blog today. Diana Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic suspense.  Her award-winning books are available in five languages.  Diana has appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance blog, “Happily Ever After,” MSN.com, and in Texoma Living Magazine. 

After retiring as a Navy Chief, AGC(AW), Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 33 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world.   Diana is currently working on the sixth book in the award-winning MacGruder brother’s series, and is preparing for the release of her story in the anthology, “Born To Bite,” with Hannah Howell and Erica Ridley.  Diana looks forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this journey.

Diana Cosby, International Bestselling Author

www.dianacosby.com

 Congratulations On Achieving Your Dream – Now What?

Diana Cosby 2012©

            Many people chase their dreams, and along the way, through hard work and perseverance, some achieve their goals.  When this happens, it’s an amazing time.  This event should be celebrated and savored as you can never replace that ‘first time’ magic when it happens in your life.

But, once you achieve your dream, now what?  Have you prepared a plan of action?  A budget?  Will your strategy and marketing be time intensive?  Do you understand how the business end of whatever goal you are pursuing works?  What about industry contacts = networking?

            Far from trying to worry or deter anyone from striving to achieve their dream, my questions are to instill a shot of reality into the dream-focused mind.  It’s easy to become caught up on that idea of being a rising star.  Realistically, once you achieve your goal, the magic wand that keeps that dream alive is you, and once again, sustained by your hard work, business savvy and perseverance.  To help you, here are some tips:

             

1.  Learn from the pros:   Why reinvent the wheel:  Select people who have achieved the dream you’re targeting.  Take notes on what they’re doing, read what they say when they are interviewed, or if possible, talk to them.  If someone has a solid game plan in the area of expertise you’re shooting for, tailor their plan of action to your strengths.

2.  Budget:  As with anything, there’s a cost to keeping your dream alive.  Gather expense information through whatever sources available and understand the monetary layout you are facing once you’re dream is a reality.  Custom the expenses to fit your budget.  If you need a credit card, to incorporate, or have other business end ideas, before your dream arrives is the best time to research and understand exactly what you’ll need to have in place when that special moment arrives.

3.  Time management:  Once you sell, the demand for your time escalates, and the proportion depends on the needs of your dream and you.  In addition to basic dream survival, there are options to appear on blogs, radio, TV, you can write articles, choose on-line networking and numerous other venues.  It’s important to manage your time wisely, to choose projects best relate to your strengths.  Example:  If you enjoy teaching, give workshops, on-line classes or talk at public venues.

4.  Networking:  I can’t express how ultra-important solid networking is.  A good business contact can make all of the difference in the world.  Be sincere in cultivating relationships.  And, if you can, help someone else out.

            The best defense in any situation, including your dreams, is a solid offense.  So, start now to plan for your success.  Then, the day your dream comes true, rather than being reactive and flounder, open your tailored plan and soar. 

            Thank you very much for stopping by.  I'm always interested in hearing what others do as they work to achieve their goals.  What is your strategy in achieving your dreams?

Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN Ret.

www.dianacosby.com

International Best-Selling Author

Diana’s 4^th novel in the award-winning MacGruder brothers series, “His Destiny,” is out now.  His Conquest & His Destiny coming soon! 

"His Destiny" blurb: 

As one of England's most capable mercenaries, Emma Astyn can charm an enemy and brandish a knife with unmatched finesse. Assigned to befriend Dubh Duer, an infamous Scottish rebel, she assumes the guise of innocent damsel Christina Moffat to intercept the writ he’s carrying to a traitorous bishop. But as she gains the dark hero’s confidence and realizes they share a tattered past, compassion—and passion—distract her from the task at hand…

Born To Bite blurb:
Blurb for Highland Vampire, Diana Cosby's story in the Born To Bite anthology:
As King of the Highland Coven, vampire Aedan MacGregor knows that falling for the fey Rowan Campbell could destroy her. But one taste of her healing blood and he craves her like no other. Dare claim her as his own, knowing he might lose her forever?

Born To Bite, a Highland Vampire anthology with Hannah Howell, Erica Ridley, and Diana Cosby coming August 28^th!  Pre-Order now!

http://www.dianacosby.com/borntobite.html#buy

 Excerpt from "His Destiny"

Guilt edged through Emma that in the end, she would betray Patrik.  She shoved the emotion aside.  A year had passed since King Balliol had abdicated his throne at Brechin and resigned his Kingdom of Scotland to King Edward.  Regardless of any Scot’s wishes, the English king ruled their land.  It was the rebel’s decision to continue this fruitless rebellion, not her guilt to bear.

If Patrik hated her when he learned her true identity, so be it.  By then she would be gone, her mission long since completed.  Nor would he ever find a Scottish woman named Cristina Moffat.

A shout echoed in the distance.

Patrik whirled, caught her hand and hauled her beneath the dense underbrush.  “Stay!” he hissed.  Keeping his body close to the ground, he inched up the embankment to the edge of the trail where they’d walked moments before.  After a quick scan, he jumped to his feet and used a branch to erase any sign of their passage.  Tossing the limb, he hurried beneath the shield of leaves, covered her body with his.

“Say naught,” he whispered.

As if with his body flush against hers it was possible to think?  She scoured their surroundings for any sign of movement, tried to ignore the hard length of him, the feel of his entire body wrapped above hers.

And failed.

Wind rattled leaves overhead.  A raven flitted in the tree above then flew away.

Footsteps sounded nearby.

A stick cracked - closer this time, followed by a muttered curse.

Patrik’s calloused hand covered hers with surprising gentleness.

She stared at the tangle of scars battering his skin, the muscled hand atop hers.  She should pull away, not feed this delusion of his protecting her.  Instead, Emma savored his touch, his protectiveness in a world that offered none.

Diana can be reached through the following links:

Home page: http://www.dianacosby.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diana-Cosby-Romance-Author/150109024636?ref=ts
Twitter: @DianaCosby