By Katy Kauffman @DiAnnMills This week’s blog is a guest post by Katy Kauffman The poor little maple started as a “weed” in my front flower beds. Instead of casting aside the tiny bright green tree, I planted her in the backyard. Yes, it’s a she, since we named her “Scarlet,” hoping one day she would showcase gorgeous red leaves …
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills This summer has been amazing. We’ve enjoyed fabulous days bathed in sunshine and bursting with fun. Some of you have made memories away from home, and some have explored your backyard. Many of us have spent time at picnics and barbecues, family reunions, fireworks, and lazy afternoons by the beach or pool. But I think we’re …
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Unconditional love is the thread woven in the tapestry of what insures a family survives. Life contains youth and aging, high points and lows, victories and do-overs, and goodbyes and hellos. Along the way, we’re given the gift of family to help us walk through every milestone and season of life, sometimes supporting us and sometimes …
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills America is 242 years old on July 4th, 2018. Americans all over the country will be enjoying a red, white, and blue holiday. Young and old will proudly carry Old Glory high and lead out parades through the streets of our communities. Family and friends plan barbecues to continue the celebration, and when the sun disappears …
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills When Grace was 8 1/2 years old, I asked what she wanted me to write her. She said, “I want us to write a story together.” That took me by surprise. “Do you have a story idea?” I said. “Yes. It’s about a little girl who finds a purple dragon egg, and she accidentally cracks it.” …
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Every writer wants to be viewed as professional, intelligent, and bestselling. These goals are honorable, worthy, and attainable. But when a writer consistently makes mistakes that label him/her unprofessional, credibility takes a nose dive as well. Examine the following mistakes. If you are a writer, changes may be on your horizon. 1. Practicing poor grammar and …
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills June is National Dairy Month, and what better way to celebrate our introduction to summer than ice cream. For many of us, that means heading to the nearest ice cream or frozen yogurt shop. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t enjoy some form of ice cream, and even those who are lactose intolerant can find this …
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills It’s June, and most people are looking forward to a vacation. But is that on your summer calendar? For some, a staycation makes more sense. Tension and stress war against our minds and bodies, making it critical to leave our work-related obligations behind. Becoming consumed day after day with fulfilling responsibilities is a vicious trap. We …
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills We writers can be a bit eccentric, sometimes bizarre, and those who love us may wonder if we need to be on meds. The truth is we’re creative people, and we look at life a little differently. You may be wondering if you’re a writer or suspect someone close to you has the ability to string …
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Lions fascinate me. They represent nobility and respect, and their muscular bodies are to be admired and feared. No fat anywhere. Like I hope my stories resonate with readers. The more I thought about lions, the more I realized writing a novel has much in common with these animals. Here are my 10 comparisons. If you …
