By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: First Lines of Stories that Inspire I’m an avid reader, but I’m also picky. Confession time here . . . If a story doesn’t grab me in the first line, I’m reluctant to read further. Out of respect for the writer, I might continue for a paragraph. Normally, I’m done and ready to move …
Highways, Speed Bumps, and Traffic Lights
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: Highways, Speed Bumps, and Traffic Lights Writers seldom become successful and create a marketable book—overnight. At least that wasn’t my experience. The victories and triumphs are waylaid with rejection slips, disappointments, and lots of rewrites. But when the first sale was made, I knew it was worth every drop of sweat and tears. My …
Exploring Your Ancestry
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: Exploring Your Ancestry Have you ever been curious about your ancestors? Ever wonder about what ethnicity flows predominantly through your veins? Many people have ideas about where they came from through family stories and documents, and these are exciting. But I wanted to know who went before me and from what country. The curiosity …
Vacation Magic
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: Vacation Magic Last week, husband and I spent six days in Estes Park, Colorado. We love the Rocky Mountain National Park, and often retreat there. We work at home, so unless we leave, we don’t have a break. We packed our coats, scarves, gloves, and hiking boots for a March getaway. Once in Estes …
A Writer’s Workspace
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: A Writer’s Workspace Is your workplace special to you? Many times I’ve been asked where I write. The answer is anywhere, yet I do have a designated office, a room where bits and pieces of me are scattered throughout. I’d like to share a few photos with you today. Okay, so my desk is slightly …
March Celebrations
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: March Celebrations March is here and with it comes the promise of spring, and we’re ready. No matter how much we love our winter sweaters, fireplaces, and snow sports, green and the color of blooming flowers is more appealing. So let’s get on board the spring train by celebrating March. Take a look at the …
Questions to Ask Before Getting Old
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: Questions to Ask Before Getting Old I don’t recall taking a class in high school or college about what to ask myself before getting old. Psychology courses gave the textbook approach to ease our fears: this is what happens to the aging mind; what is lost, and what is retained. Frankly, I didn’t pay …
Nine Things NOT To Do When Tired
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: Nine Things NOT To Do When Tired Two weeks ago, I returned from a writer’s high: I taught at a conference and afterward was Edie Melson’s guest. For six days we worked on a book project titled The Author Roadmap – Navigating the Social Media Highway. Oh, every moment of the 8 days was thrilling. …
Books that Touch Your Life
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: Books that Touch Your Life Old books have a special place in my heart. They are my connection to the past shared by a passion for the written word. Whether I’m looking through a museum glass window at an ancient papyrus writing, of which I have a limited idea of what is being said, …
Welcome to Groundhog’s Day!
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: Welcome to Groundhog’s Day! Today is Groundhog’s Day. This is the one day of the year when the groundhog has notoriety. He’s famous in cartoon, legends, children’s stories, weather predictions, and just plain fun. This little furry creature is onstage before he crawls out of his cozy, underground burrow. Photographers and reporters are waiting …