Diane Tegarden, a survivor of domestic violence, lived to tell her story and is now helping other women who have had to face some of the same fears and challenges. In April 2004, Tegarden published her first book, “Getting Out Of Limbo – A Self Help Divorce Book For Women,” which provides step by step instructions on how to achieve financial and emotional independence in preparation for a divorce. It discusses many types of divorce, and has a special section on how to get out of an abusive relationship.
The book is based on her own experiences and her research and writings on women’s issues, as opposed to being presented from a legal standpoint. In user-friendly language, she discusses issues that are generally not found in other self-help divorce books; such as how to realize one’s goals, and how to attain a decent lifestyle after struggling through a divorce and/or an abusive relationship.
With financial information on spousal support, child support, and community property issues, the reader can figure out where her finances stand. There are also checklists of questions for an attorney, or accountant, should you need one. Other forms help the reader to assess her own situation (strengths, weaknesses and obstacles), and assist in planning for her family’s future. The book is concise and easy to read; it is small enough to fit into a woman’s purse or handbag!
Soon after completing her first book, Tegarden opened her own self-help book publishing company. She named it “Firewalker Publications” to remind herself of how she had “come through the fire” by facing her worst fears. She actually “walked on fire” at a Tony Robbins Seminar, which was a life changing experience for her. As a result of the seminar, she was able to go on with her life and pursue her dreams of becoming a published writer.
Her work has been published in The Pasadena Star News, Security Sales Magazine, The Pasadena Weekly, The Solar Flare, The Feral Forest, Earth Luvyrs Calendar, The Daily Sundial and the West Coast Well Being. Her writings cover a variety of topics, including: renewable energy, environmental concerns, holistic health, women’s issues and native spirituality. She wrote and facilitated the “Battered Women’s Survival Workshop” and has taught a seminar called “Affordable Luxury – a New Kind of Financial Independence.” In addition, she was been a self-employed solar electric equipment distributor from 1995-2004.
Her education continued throughout her business ventures, earning her an AA and AS from Pasadena City College (1996), and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Cal. State University, Northridge (2004). Her certificates of accomplishment include: Certified Web Designer and Internet Business Strategist, issued by Novell (1998). She completed her courses at Mount Sierra College for web design and programming in 1998. She is a member in good standing of the Golden Key International Honour Society (2001), for excellence in academic achievement, and the Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society for Journalism and Mass Communications, since April 2002.
Tegarden was born in Tucson, Arizona and was raised in Rowland Heights, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. Her mixed heritage is Mexican/Spanish/Italian and Native American, belonging to the Hopitu Shinumu Tribe, whose name means “the Peaceful Ones.” She has lived in California, since she was three years old.
Tegarden is now in the process of writing a science fiction book, slated to be completed by Feb of 2008. It will show how the entire face of the planet and society is changed by the use of renewable energy production. She delicately explains the beauty and folly of the human condition through some innovative ideas like a “reimaging” machine that will enable people to relive emotions and experiences from their past. Throughout the book, Tegarden interjects her native spirituality, detailing some of the rituals and dances of her native faith.
Diane Tegarden is a special, compassionate woman who has taken a great amount of initiative to pursue her own life in a positive way and to help enlighten others by expressing her ideas in non-fiction and fiction literature. Her writing style enables the reader to feel as if she is actually experiencing the story, while reading it.
Truly remarkable!
Bio and Book Review by Julia Nizinski
JN Communications, N.Hollywood, CA.
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