My name is Dave Banks. For more than seventeen years I’ve travelled the world shooting documentaries and news stories, largely in the Middle East, where I’ve seen things you wouldn’t believe.

I’ve always loved to tell and share stories, and when it comes to visual storytelling, I’ve crafted a good career out of it.

But when it comes to the writing and sharing of those same adventures through the written word, I’ve always struggled.

I’m thankful to say Diane hasn’t just helped me overcome this, she’s also taught me how to appreciate just how powerful and enjoyable writing can be.

I grew up with dyslexia, so reading and writing never came easy to me. My mother was an avid reader, though, and as a consequence, I admire those who can put words together to form a story. And, as an ambitious guy who likes a challenge, the idea of one day writing a book remained on my ‘must-do’ list for a long time.

Perhaps that’s the same for you, too.

But I had no idea where to begin or how to turn this dream into reality.

I had a bunch of stories I could share visually through film, but I loved the idea of creating something my grandchildren could read, so they could see what their grandad did with his life.

But I’ll admit, I was scared to take action, because I hadn’t written anything for a long time. And like I said, it never came easy to me in the first place.

I put it off again and again…until one day I came across Diane and I instinctively knew she was the one who could help and guide me through the fulfilment of my dream.

Once I read some of her own work, she had me. Her writing and her style connected with me. I think you can learn a lot about someone through their writing, and the moment I landed on Diane’s site I sensed her love and integrity.

I knew she could help, and I’m so very glad to say she did – not just with the writing and editing of my book, but teaching me everything I know about writing to this day.

She taught me to love words, and how they can be hurtful, humorous, and every other feeling in-between. She showed me how to tell a story, and in doing so, I graduated from the visual arts to the art of words.

She took me from being an amateur and turned me into a pro, and I cannot begin to tell you how much this means to me.

But none of this does Diane justice, because not only did she teach me how to write and fall in love with words (to appreciate them on a deeper level), she cared and believed in me enough to pitch my work to a publisher. As a result, something I never imagined or dare dream about happened: I became a published author.

I didn’t write my book with a purpose to publish it. It was for me and my family, and that’s it. But through Diane’s help, a publisher wanted to bring my book to life.

I cannot put a price on this or how much value Diane has brought into my world.

She’s become a friend and confidante, and the first person I turn to when I write something new. She grounds me when I find my head in the clouds. She picks me up when I doubt I’ll succeed. She’s my task-master and editor and coach – and more – but above and beyond all this, she’s the person who convinced me that I’m a writer.

To this day, I can’t figure out how she did this.

You may wonder what Diane can bring to the table for you and your writing. I believe in the value of engaging a writing coach, and I happen to think every single writer benefits from having someone to listen, guide, and teach them. But having a writing coach who also happens to be a talented editor (let alone a passionate one, that goes above and beyond her duty)…I cannot place a value on this.

I hired Diane in the hope she could help me get my stories out of my head and onto paper.

I’m happy to say she achieved this and more, and if you choose to work with Diane, you’ll get a writing coach and mentor who listens, who genuinely wants to learn about you and your work, and who pushes you and challenges you to be better. She doesn’t let you slack off or take the easy option, she picks you up when you’re down, grounds you when you need it, edits your work, perfects your writing – and, ultimately, turns you into a pro.

I could write much more, but I think you get where I’m coming from. I’ll end by saying this: Thank you, Diane.

You turned me into someone I never believed I’d become: a writer.