By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills No matter where I travel, a chocolate shop always gets my attention. The attraction is a strong sense of smell and taste for rich, delectable chocolate—the perfect blend that swirls and pacifies the palate. I can’t think of a better reason to take a break from writing. Whoa! Who needs an excuse for chocolate? While in

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Last Thursday, the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference at Ridgecrest, North Carolina came to a close. The conference began the previous Sunday evening and ended on Thursday at noon. As co-director with Edie Melson, all of us, including our leadership team, faculty, and fabulous conferees were blessed, pleased, excited about the conference, looking forward to

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Most of us have ‘go-to’ websites for education, entertainment, and information. We’ve found sites we trust because of the originator’s integrity, reputation and quality of information. I have my favorites too. Below are some of the websites that I have found helpful. Physical The Mayo Clinic When I have a question about nutrition, health, exercise, symptoms,

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills If I have a weakness, other than great coffee and creating a story, it’s a sweet, delicious, satisfying cookie. While reading through the latest copy of Martha Stewart Living magazine, I found the most mouth-watering Mexican Hot-Chocolate cookie recipe. I made them and they are the perfect, cinnamon spicy, chocolate cookie. Easy too! Mexican Hot-Chocolate Cookies

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills The good times of our lives are the super memory-makers. We take photos, fill scrapbooks, and tell the world through social media about our good fortune. Then the downside of life hits us square in the face. Where did this come from? I thought my job was secure. My kids made great choices until now. Divorce

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Last week, my husband and I flew to Colorado Springs to meet with bookstore owners and their staff in southeast Colorado, conduct events, and to meet with readers at two Kansas libraries. We were greeted by incredible people who are passionate about books and readers. What do these words and places have in common? Junction –

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills This may be your first DiAnn Mills’ blog since subscribing to my weekly posts. Last week I announced an incredible giveaway as a celebration of my new romantic suspense novel DEEP EXTRACTION. The random drawing is for all blog subscribers as of 1:00 p.m. Central on Thursday, April 13. Take a look at these fantastic prizes!

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Creative people are . . . quirky. We can also be labeled as eccentric, bizarre, and probably-should- be-on-meds. But I don’t want to go there. 🙂 We are simply creative. Let’s explore some of my friends’ unusual writing habits as well as my own. Lynette Eason She gave me 3, but I’m tossing in a 4th.

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills The word courage can be confusing. A soldier enlists courage by saving fellow soldiers’ lives. A teacher possesses courage when he/she chooses to teach in an inner-city school where gangs run the streets. A law enforcement officer shows courage when he/she refuses to take a bribe. A teen grasps courage to say no to drugs. A

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Every person on the planet is creative. We’re all born with gifts and talents. These are unique to who we are and how we can use them to better serve the world. Too many people believe they aren’t creative when, in truth, our creativity is begging to be explored. We don’t have to be eccentric, bizarre,