By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Summer is the perfect time to catch up on reading. Between vacations and stealing away a few hours to ourselves, the lure of a good book draws us to read. We’re always looking for our favorite writers to release their next book, and we love exploring new ones. Many of you have asked who are my favorite

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills It’s July and the heat index is rising. Here in Houston, we’re looking at 100+ degrees and lots of humidity. Pool time and ocean beaches. I love it! Add a tall glass of cold lemonade or an iced tea, and I’m ready for some serious summer activities. But sometimes the heat drags us down, and that’s when

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills As a writer, I have a list of what I feel is vital for a woman to be a heroine in a romantic suspense novel. Determining who my female character is takes time and lots of thought. My criteria may not be what you expected. It’s not brains or beauty. It’s not an ivy-league education. It’s

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Many of you have asked me why I enjoy writing suspense. A recent interview answers that question for you along with why I view the process a rewarding challenge. Question: Suspense novels usually feature grittier scenes than other genres. In writing about crime scenes and killers, how do you write about them realistically without making your

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Traveling is a part of my life as a writer, and I love it. Over the years, I’ve simplified my packing method, and I’d like to share with you 9 easy ways to ensure your next trip meets expectations with a perfect plan for taking just what you need. Here are 9 easy ways to make

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills First of all, big accolades to everyone for the great entries from last week’s blog.  It was fun to see all the creative things people came up with based on the picture I supplied.  Are some of you now ready to continue your start and complete the adventure in story form? Here are the three randomly

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills You can Win! I love story. It’s been my passion since before I could hold a pencil. Maybe you’ve thought about writing for a long time but just couldn’t get started. Yet communicating through the written word will not leave you alone. This is your opportunity to get started now. All you need to do is

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: Once Upon a Time It wasn’t a dark and stormy night. Thunder didn’t rumble, and lightning didn’t streak across the sky. In fact, it was a summer day in Houston—99+ and the pool felt wonderful. My grandchildren and I were laughing, splashing, and enjoying Popsicles. “Mimi, will we always be able to swim in

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: Work Hard Play Hard Last week, I was on faculty at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference at Ridgecrest, North Carolina. A beautiful conference center nestled in the Smoky Mountains. We had over 400 conferees. Wow! Lots of learning for fiction and nonfiction writers, taught by multi-published writers who are valued in the

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: Memorial Day – A Time of Remembrance Memorial Day didn’t originate as a family time of picnics, parades, and good times. I wanted to share with you a snippet of history and provide a few ideas how you and your loved ones can commemorate the day. The remembrance of those who’d died in service