Welcome, Mom’s Choice readers! Today we were able to get with Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA, MA. She is a widely published, award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction for adults and children, as well as a fiction writing coach, and a former adjunct professor of fiction writing at the college and university levels.

Her books have won multiple awards, including the First-Place Christian Indie Award for Historical Fiction, the Silver Medal Illumination Book Award for eBook Fiction, the Reader’s Choice Finalist Award for Contemporary Romantic Suspense, and the National Indie Excellence and Mom’s Choice Award for her picture book, Who Is Jesus? This delightful, heartwarming book is a favorite with young readers. Read on to learn more about this wonderfully gifted author.

MCA: Welcome, MaryAnn! Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a follower of Jesus Christ, passionate about introducing Him to others, especially to children. I am also wife of 55 years to my awesome husband, a retired ER physician, mother to two amazing adult daughters, mother-in-law to two very smart sons-in-law, grandmother to seven precious grandchildren, and a widely published author.

Prior to becoming a writer, I was a university professor of Romance languages. When I was 30 years old, God called me to write for Him. Since then I’ve written several books for both children and adults.

Much of what I’ve learned in life I’ve learned from children. I am a child at heart and love to be around children. The best compliment I ever received came from a child. At the time, I was about 55 years old. We were talking on my front porch, and this precious five-year-old asked me what grade I was in. To this day, his question warms my heart.

My hobbies include reading, playing the piano, and painting in oils and pastels. I also like to play board games with my grandchildren.

My areas of special interest include Italian history, American history up until World War II, and human behavior. I especially love to help people find and fulfill their destiny.

MCA: Please provide a brief synopsis of Who is Jesus?.

Children ask tough questions. Questions like, “Does Jesus still love me when I’m naughty?” This kind of question can pose a special challenge to parents, grandparents, and caregivers as they teach their children about God.

In this book, I help answer some of these tough questions. As a mother, grandmother, and teacher, I have firsthand experience with children and have personally faced their difficult questions.

Who is Jesus? presents a biblical picture of our Savior in a way that will help your child recognize Him as Love Personified. Little children will come to know Jesus as the essence of all that is good, holy, and true. As you read this book to your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students, they will learn that Jesus Christ cares about them and loves them with a perfect love.

MCA: What inspired you to become an author, and how does your personal background—and life experiences—influence your writing?

When I was 30 years old, I experienced a strong desire to become a writer. This surprised me as I was already pursuing a career as a university professor of Romance languages. When the desire to write increased, I asked the Lord if the desire came from Him. I asked Him to increase the desire if it did and to take it away if it did not.

Well, my desire to write only increased. When, as a fledgling author, I received an acceptance letter from a major slick magazine for a poem I had written, I knew that God was confirming His call on my life to write for Him. Now, almost 50 years later, I am still writing for Him and experiencing great joy in the process.

My personal background continues to influence my writing. When I was a little girl, my father would read poetry to me from an old, worn copy of the Oxford Book of English Verse. I remember listening with rapt attention to his lilting voice as he read each poem, infusing it with wonder and fanciful emotion. It was then, I believe, that my love for words was born.

Later, I pursued degrees in language, literature, and writing, which further enhanced my love and appreciation for the power and beauty of words.

MCA: What was your inspiration for writing Who is Jesus?. Was there a specific occurrence that moved you to write it?

The seed of Who is Jesus? was planted in a local bookstore in my hometown where I was exploring books in the Children’s Book section. As I scanned the shelves, I was at first delighted to discover a book about Jesus. This was a most unusual occurrence in a secular bookstore, so I was intrigued.

When I looked through the book, however, my heart plummeted. The author had presented Jesus Christ as only a great teacher and prophet, not as the Son of God. Moreover, the author had included false gods in the book as well, like Buddha, Mohammed, Hare Krishna, and others. At the end of the book, the author advised children to choose the god whom they wanted to serve.

Right there in that bookstore aisle, I began to weep. “Lord,” I said, “I cannot allow the minds and hearts of children to be deceived. I must tell them the truth that You alone are the Savior of the world, that You love them, and that You are the only Answer to their every need.”

Still weeping, I replaced the book on the shelf, left the bookstore, and went home. That very day I began to write Who Is Jesus?

MCA: That is so powerful and moving. Can you share your creative process—how you generate ideas and bring them to life on the page?

Ideas are everywhere. I continually keep my eyes and ears open for them. An idea can come from a snippet of conversation, from observing interactions among people, from reading an article, or from a distant childhood memory. I like to say that writing is the only profession in which eavesdropping is permissible.

The first thing I do when I sit down at my computer is to pray. I ask the Lord what He wants me to write. I ask Him to give me the story or the message of His heart. He knows the people who will read my writing, and He knows exactly what they need.

I consider myself a scribe. I listen to what the Lord tells me, and I write it down. He and I are co-laborers in the creative process.

MCA: What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

My prayer is that readers will encounter the love of Jesus for them in all that I write, whether directly or indirectly.

MCA: What do you find most rewarding about the writing process? Conversely, what are some of the challenges you face?

What I love most about the writing process is writing with God. As I co-labor with Him, I experience the joy of creating stories, poems, articles, and books with the One Who created the universe and everything in it. How amazing is that? A writer can’t have a better writing partner!

What I like least about the writing process is the marketing aspect. Yet, it is a necessary part of the writing equation and one which is an art in its own right. Slowly but surely, I am learning how to navigate this part of writing.

Writers, including me, face many challenges peculiar to writers. For example, the physical challenges that come with sitting at a computer for extended periods of time; the challenges that come from technological problems, like computer crashes, broken internet connections, failed backups, etc.

Time challenges can be problematic, as well. Writers have a life outside of writing. That life often involves the responsibilities of running a home, working at a full-time job, raising children, caring for an elderly parent, and so on. Writers must learn that we will never find time to write. We must make time to write.

MCA: Tell us how your books contribute to promoting family-friendly values or enhancing the lives of your readers?

All of my books are written from a biblical worldview. This means that they are inspired by the eternal truths of the Bible. These truths are unchanging and form the basis of a happy, productive, and successful life.

The Bible is God’s manual for life. Just as we receive a manual when we buy a new car or a new washing machine, we receive a manual when we are born into this earth. That manual is the Bible. It contains instructions for how the human being functions. If we follow the instructions, we will work right. If we don’t follow the instructions, we will break down. It’s that simple.

I keep this perspective in mind as I write. My goal is to share the truth with my readers because, as the Bible tells us in John 8:32, the truth will set us free. And who doesn’t want to be free?

MCA: Can you share any memorable moments or feedback from readers that have touched you or reinforced the impact of your work?

Some of my most memorable feedback has come from parents who have told me that their children want to read my books over and over and over again at bedtime.

MCA: What a lovely tribute. Tell us, what advice would you give aspiring authors who are just starting their writing journey?

If God has called you to write, He will equip you with everything you need to fulfill that call. Do your part by learning the craft. Study good writing. Take writing courses. Read, read, read. Write, write, write. Do not quit, especially when the going gets tough, for it surely will. Most of all, pray, pray, pray, and watch God do amazing things in you and through you as you write for Him.

MCA: I love something else you said: “Writers are nothing without readers; I treasure my readers and always keep them in my mind and heart as I write.” Always important to keep in mind! Tell us, as an author, what are your future plans or goals?

I am currently outlining a novel series for adults that I plan to begin writing, Lord willing, in mid-2025. It is titled The South Philly Italians. I have also started a children’s middle-grade novel I plan to finish writing this year titled The Urchin of Naples.

MCA: MaryAnn, thanks for sharing your inspiring story with Mom’s Choice readers. We were so fortunate that you could join us today—and we wish you the very best with your next books!