It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Noelle L. Peterson, author of Dream Life Planner

Author’s Bio: Noelle Peterson is the author of Dream Life Planner: Move From Tired and Overwhelmed to Free and Empowered and co-founder of Add Value 2 Life Coaching. Noelle helps women awaken their dreams and design a path to reach them.

Noelle served in Christian Ministry as a missionary. She began her own entrepreneurial journey after 13 years in ministry and 9 years in government. She aims to help women who want more out of life. Noelle is a speaker, trainer, author and coach. She uses her skills and experience to guide women who are unhappy with where they are and seeking the path to their dreams.

With over 20 years of leadership, Noelle offers a unique perspective guiding women to get out of their own way and figure out what they want to be when they “grow up.”

She can’t live without her husband, her faith and her aorta (she almost lost it last year, not good)

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?

Noelle L. Peterson: I wrote this planner after struggling to complete some worksheets on my own and failing to understand the concepts and instructions. I wanted an organized thorough process with clear guidelines to help whoever was using them to be able to plan and prepare for the upcoming season. Figuring out resolutions or goals should be a task that is taken with care and commitment.

DL: What do you think makes a good story?

NLP: A beginning, middle and end is what makes a good story. The hook or beginning must be compelling. The middle needs to carry the weight and pull people in. the end sums it up and relieves the pressure. The difference with my book is that it is a workbook for life and gives the reader the chance to create their own story. It is also one that they could go through again later in life.

DL: What were some of the challenges when writing this book?

NLP: The challenges of writing this book were timing. Having time to focus and stay on task while working a full-time job. It can be difficult to find time and space to focus on writing when there are so many other things pulling at your attention.

DL: What was the best writing advice you’ve ever been given?

NLP: Just write, come back and figure out topic sentences or titles later, there is a creative part in your mind that if you tap into it will start telling stories. You have to shut off the editor part – it will criticize and overthink, and the creative side is sensitive to that, so it shuts down. There needs to be some structure but don’t get caught up in the minutia or details, let the creative juices flow.

DL: If you could choose a superpower, what would it be and why?

NLP: I would want the superpower of reading people’s thoughts. I am not an intuitive person, nor good at asking questions. So, if I could just know what other people are thinking, maybe that would help me understand who they are and how I can help them quicker. Then I could get them to see their dream and how to make it happen.

DL: If you were hosting a dinner party which three authors would be your dream guests and why?

NLP: I would love to have a dinner party with Francine Rivers, Jesus, and J. R. R. Tolkien. I love parables and biblical fiction. The idea of being able to help others understand a concept through story is intriguing. I love helping others see the light.

I have often found myself filling the role of translator. Sometimes this is literal between Spanish and English. Other times this is simply restating information in a tone or way that makes sense to the ears.

DL: What do you like to do when you are not writing?

NLP: I’m a stay-at-home working grandma, so I enjoy taking care of my grandchildren and taking them on new adventures, seeing their eyes light up and their imagination run wild.

DL: Would you like to share an excerpt from Dream Life Planner?

NLP: Sure, here you go:

This planner is designed to help you understand who you are and who you want to become. We’ll evaluate your current situation, your dream for what you ultimately want and develop steps for getting there. Understanding where you are and picturing where you want to go, will allow you to develop the path to get there.

It is not the end goal that we ultimately want. We need to become the person worthy of that goal. The journey that we create will allow us to grow into the person worthy of all that we dream to be. We may end up at a different place, but we will be a better version of ourselves, and the goal or dream will be even better than we ever imagined.

While I have organized these activities in this order, it is not required to be done as such. Do the activities that make sense to you and come back to the ones that need more of your time. Work through these activity pages to work through who you are, who you want to be, and how you are going get there. Afterward, if you’re interested, I’d love to hear from you and how you succeeded this year.

DL: What new projects are you currently working on?

NLP: I am working on a 12-week mastermind with 12 Keynote Speaker/Mentors. These ladies are opening their hearts to share with all who join as we seek to empower each other. Women feel the need to be strong and take care of everyone else, often at the cost of our own dreams. This is not how it was meant to be. We can have our dream and our family too.

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)?

NLP: Readers can get more information here: