Featured Interview With Diane Dean-Epps
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
As the creative mind behind her “sit-down standup” style of humor writing Diane Dean-Epps has proven that comedy is just as effective from a chair—preferably one with lumbar support and a cup holder—as it is from a standing position. Her humor has found a home in multiple books, including Bangs ‘N’ Botox: My Aging Journey Near, Through, and Out of Denial and Botox, Fillers, & Human Preservatives, the latter essential reading for anyone who’s ever looked in the mirror and gasped at what time hath wrought.
Diane’s career has offered up a bountiful buffet of opportunities—sometimes concurrently—in industries as diverse as media, education, marketing, entertainment, and fitness leading to incredible feats of multi-tasking. This explains her unique ability to deliver a punchline, grade essays, post social media updates, and draft stories as she voices commercials and assumes the plank position for one minute and 22 seconds.
Currently residing in northern California, Diane writes and performs in productions both planned and—much to the surprise of unsuspecting bystanders—unplanned. Her audiences are (mostly) entertained, and she considers that a solid win.
Answer to specific questions: Raised in Stockton, CA – now live in Grass Valley, CA. Yes, I love my fur babies! One cat, two dogs.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Early, early days…like age 5…I was flipping through books, and making up the plot before I could read the words. I’ve always been a reader and I’ve known since I was able to write in cursive that I am a writer. It was probably in third grade when I knew it wasn’t so much a choice as a “this is me” kind of thing.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I was definitely a BIG Erma Bombeck fan when I wasn’t in her demographic at all. I love Fannie Flagg, Nora Ephron. There are so many. The Alchemist is HUGE for me. I’ve got my serious side, reading Pablo Neruda, Ayn Rand, and the like. Is it any wonder I ended up becoming an English teacher? I mean, girl’s gotta pay her bills, and while earned money writing, it’s about as steady of an income as any art you might choose – or art that chose you. My favorite genre to read for “mind candy” would be rom coms. I LOVE cultural books also that frame up with story within a culture that I can learn more about. That’s why I enjoyed Tony Hillerman books, and love that his daughter, Anne, continued to write in the genre. My family and life inspire me because there are so many stories, situations, and observations…just getting out there is enough to spawn new material. And I do write everyday. Again. It chooses me, so I’m madly trying to find a pen, paper, and my sanity as I’m driving, on vacation, and doing really anything when inspiration hits. Again. And again. And again. Thankfully.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
Pending the invention of a time machine, we’ll all have to make peace with aging. What better way to do it than by having some fun at aging’s expense? Bangs ‘N’ Botox does just that…and so much more.
As a relative unknown, Diane acknowledges she might be destined to become the Emily Dickinson of humor—sans living next to a cemetery—with her work gaining popularity posthumously, if at all. Nevertheless, she presses on, writing Bangs ‘N’ Botox, her fourth humor book.
Step into Diane’s laugh-lined world as she acts as your guide through this entertaining take on aging. With the sharp wit of a seasoned humorist and the life experience of a baby boomer and active senior, she offers up a fresh and funny perspective in her signature “sit-down standup” comedy writing style.
Packed with punchlines, Bangs ‘N’ Botox is filled with humorous observations, pithy asides, helpful hints, and the occasional rant, all told from Diane’s hilarious perspective. Delivering rapid-fire laughs, she tells you about everything from her marginally successful skincare experimentation to her knack for making any situation awkward to how different her glory days are from her golden years.
This share-worthy book will have you reading excerpts out loud to your friends and family. Aging has never been this relatable—or this comical.
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