By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Friends, I’m in a dilemma, and I need your help. My blog is designed for you—readers. Because you are important to me, I want to ensure you receive the topics that interest you.
My goal has been to mix humor, holidays, guest posts, recipes, life happenings, serious subjects, and whatever else seizes my attention that I feel you’ll enjoy. But I’d really like your input.
When your inbox says there’s a post from DiAnn Mills:
- What topics do you hope to read?
- What topics are not your favorite?
- What topics thrill you?
For all of you who give me three ideas in the comments below, I’ll enter your name in a random drawing giveaway where a lucky person will receive your choice of an Amazon e-gift card, a Barnes & Noble e-gift card, or a ChristianBook.com e-gift card valued at $35.00 USD. Deadline is Saturday, March 21, noon CDT. The winner will be announced in next week’s blog post.
Are you willing to help me choose blog post topics of most interest to you?
Comments 59
What topics do you hope to read?
Insights to past book characters, extra chapters or updates to past novels and fun recipes
What topics are not your favorite?
Current world events
What topics thrill you? Behind the scenes of novel research
Thanks so much, Shondta, I’ll add these to the list.
Thank you for your blog, DiAnn! Your guest posts have been wonderful.
What topics do you hope to read? I like insight into different professions. Also, it would be great to read from a single person perspective because that’s my current phase of life.
What topics are not your favorite? I don’t care for politics.
What topics thrill you? I enjoy inspiring movies and artwork. Things worth slowing down for and contemplating.
Thanks, Adrianne, what a creative list! And you’ll never see a post from me that’s political. 🙂
Faith – freedom from fear
Family topics – how to stay strong in the Lord while the world has gone mad
How to encourage others in the Lord
Thank you, Sue! Great ideas.
Great list, Sue! Thanks.
Topics I hope to read are those that give me insight into what inspires you as a writer (places, events books, people etc.) and what you are currently reading. Topics that are not my favorite are usually politically based. Topics that thrill me would be inspiring quotes, gardening, pictures and anything animal related….nothing negative though as “Old Yeller” scarred me for life. 🙂
Thanks, Kathy – I appreciate your ideas. Political topics are off-limits for me.
Humor will help right now.
I love reading suspense.
Some craft ideas or recipes would be good.
Ola, we all need humor and to eat! Thanks!
How about a DiAnn’s favorite things, foods, books, styles? Information about your area of the country. Plans for your future!
Thanks, Leica, what an interesting idea!
Humor, who can’t use a little right now?
The creative thought process, tips, of ideas which became bestsellers people love.
Content about how to make my invisible website visible to others!
Jane, humor is always welcome. Thanks!
My favorite posts of yours were the ones around Christmas when you shared six of your holiday stories. I loved that! I want to write short stories also. Perhaps a post about the difference in writing experience between short stories and novels would be helpful.
I would like to know about your personal writing routine and schedule. What works for you to be productive?
Holidays and recipes and humor are always pleasant reads, particularly if they are attached to a family story.
I would love to read how the Lord moves/has moved in your life, either through difficulties, motivation or however. Also, spiritual insight for a writer of fiction.
How about how you prepare for a speaking gig?
Sorry that I exceeded the limit of three topics, but that’s my $0.02. 😉
Thank you for your posts, DiAnn
Susan, you’ve given me a wonderful list of ideas. All are blog topics! Thank you!
I like reading about the backstories of your books, information about how you research and get ideas, and writing information. I don’t like guest posts – I read your blog to get your perspective, not that of other people.
Amy, thanks for your feedback. Appreciate you!
I like reading about how you get your ideas for books and the research you do for the novels. I also like posts about scriptural insight on what certain verses say to you. Thanks, DiAnn!
Thanks, Barbara, I’m adding your ideas to my blog topics!
I have actually enjoyed your blog and various topics so would not like to forego what’s been so pleasant.
As a 20 year member of a book group I would be interested in your personal recommendations for great discussion books whether they be yours or other authors. The first one in your FBI series was a real winner in my group.
I would like to know who your favorite authors might be and any new authors that you would recommend. I tend to avoid authors without a history.
I greatly enjoy the sharing of recipes with any personal stories or family history that is attached to the recipe.
I am not thrilled when a political slant is strong to the point of condemnation or inciting one Christian against another. You have a history of expression that is perfect in this area.
Linda, thank you for taking the time to detail ideas – and the ones you don’t enjoy. Appreciate you!
1) I like to read topics on writing, blogging and interviewing other authors.
2) I don’t particularly like difficult recipes -easier ones with photos help me stay focused.
3) Topics that thrill me include hearing about how writing can change and impact a life. So anything related to engagement and feedback is helpful!
Shelley, thanks so much for your ideas. I’ll remember photos with recipes.
Tidbits about your family
The research behind your latest book
Things that inspire you
Always enjoy your novels, DiAnn.
Thanks, Cindy! Appreciate you!
1. I appreciate it when you give book, movie, and other fun-stuff recommendations. I recently watched and loved the movie “Leap Year” upon your recommendation!
2. I don’t like thinly-veiled political rants, which I’ve never seen on your blog.
3. I’d love to hear how you get out of corners you’ve written yourself into, or how to fix boring or troublesome parts of a manuscript during the second or third edit.
Wonderful suggestions, Dana! I will use these. And you’ll never read a political rant of any sort in my blog or any social media. 🙂
Recipes and DIY projects
Author and reader combo collaboration
Inspirational quotes
Thanks, Sara, These are great ideas.
1. What do you do IF you get a brain freeze (or whatever you call it) and don’t know what to write at any given moment.
2. When you name your characters and their place in the story do you know then which one will be the “One Whodunnit?”
3. What causes a story to begin stirring in your mind.
Vondia, Super ideas – and a fun post to write. Thank you!
1) As some replies indicate, I, too, would like posts about the technical side of the writing. I’m a “NON-geek” so transferring my writing into a publishable format would help so much. Also, suggestions for writers’ clubs. What to do, what not to do, both as a writer, and as a critic.
2) Not my fave? As Tim said, posts that ramble, not seeming to arrive at a point, which you certainly do NOT have. Thank you for that.
3) What thrills me? Encouragement for new/unpublished authors. Anything to do with cooking and/or gardening. Humorous life situations.
Thanks, Jill I’m listing all the ideas in the comments. These are great!
I love to hear about the nuts and bolts of writing. I’d like to know how you continue to develop new characters and plot lines. It’s always interesting to learn more about how your mind works as you sort through life and bring life to the page. Thank you for asking!
Thanks, Holli, reading how my mind works might be scary. But I’ll give it a try!
Thanks DiAnn!
1. What topics do you hope to read? Posts relating realistic expectations around writing.
2. What topics are not your favorite? Rambling posts with no clear focus. You don’t have those.
3. What topics thrill you? Posts with interviews or excerpts of interviews with successful writers.
Thanks, Tim, Great ideas!
(1) It’s great to see new releases, but I’d also like to see occasional posts about yet-unpublished authors [with completed manuscripts] and why you feel they’re worth mentioning. I realize this walks a line with vetting and endorsing. But if your readership could see someone who’s humping it doing all the right things and writing something (not necessarily their manuscript) worthy of a shout out, it would be a great lift to everyone in the querying trenches.
(2) I love your tips about a specific topic, like how to increase tension in a scene.
(3) Funnies and foibles from your writing journey (to keep us from taking ourselves too seriously as we write).
Thank you!
Lana, unusual and valuable ideas. Thanks!
Thank you, DiAnn for this opportunity to give you input on your blog content. My three are,
— Introduce Christian suspense authors. I love finding new ones.
— Books you’re reading. Author’s likes are a good indication of the books I’d like to read.
— Inspirational topics. We’re all in this together, and need to sometimes life throws us a curve. Sometimes it’s just good to share a bright spot in our lives.
Wonderful topics, Tim – thank you!
Great question, DiAnn! (I may have to borrow it! 😉 )
1. Spiritual insights and helps
2. Seasonal posts
3. What’s new in your writing/publishing life
Thanks, Regina, your ideas help a lot. I’m always concerned a post is “me” focused instead of “reader” focused.
Recipes, life happenings, and anything humorous.
Kim, those are fun ideas!
Would like to see a post about technology helps and shortcuts that can help with efficiency for writers and others.
Would like to see a blog post about writing book reviews.
Would like to see a blog post about enjoying one’s own back yard or city block while everyone is quarantined
Oh Janice, super topics. The quarantine one may come up very soon! Thanks.
I always love to read life happenings as I learn more about you! Recipes, especially at holiday time, are a real treat. I know we all have those we love to make, but new ideas are always welcome, even if we don’t end up using them…lol. I have appreciated the encouragement you give in your blog – it’s good to know that I am not alone in some of the things I am dealing with. Introducing new authors through guest posts is a great way for us to learn to know more about them.
Thanks, Betti, you hit my hot spot with your ideas.
I’m most interested in the following:
1)learning more about you as an author
2)favorite recipes you use
3)any crafty ideas that are simple and useful
Thanks, Vicki, I’m excited to dive into your topics.
Writing tips, how you’ve overcome difficulties/problem solve, life happenings.
Judy, thank you!
Great question, hopefully I’ll have a great answer 🤣 as one of your readers. I’d like:
Upcoming Book Teasers
Special Occasion Recipes
Monthly Coffee Suggestions
Thanks for asking, DiAnn.
Linda, those are amazing. Thank you!
like recipes, holidays, new release info
Will do! I appreciate your taking the time to comment.