By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
I might be putting my life in my hands with this week’s blog post—but Ask Me Anything.
This is a topic that several of you initiated when I asked for blog ideas. This week is for you!
Submit your questions in the comments, and let’s have some fun.
What is something you’ve always wanted to ask me?
Comments 34
Dear Diann,
I have had several short articles published. But I have never had any ideas concerning writing a book.
How do you come up with your ideas to write a book?
Hi Carol, I find ideas everywhere—dreams, twists from books and movies, journals, genealogy, conversations, nature, road trips, and in crowds of people. Everywhere is story. Just look around and close your eyes. Ask yourself, “what if?”
How and when did you become a believer?
Thanks, Philip, God called me at age 19, while watching a Billy Graham Crusade. That decision changed my life forever.
DiAnn, regarding your reply to Perrianne on reviews, may I express a viewpoint? I’ve never read or reviewed a book that I would give one, two, or three stars, at least partially because I have read other reviews of that book. Those low stars usually (and should) give a reason: poor editing, explicit sexual activity, foul language, no depth of character, unrealistic plot, etc. My pet peeve is seeing a low star number without explanation.
Thanks, Peggy. Some reviewers give low ratings because they can or the book is Christian. I agree with you!
DiAnn, you have such a busy yet balanced career in publishing and speaking. How do you juggle it all? What are your top organizing techniques, apps, etc?
Thanks, Katherine. I wonder the same about you! Here are my 3 top tips:
1. Always have blogs completed at least one month before due date.
2. Always have books completed three months before due date.
3. Use spreadsheets to say organized.
Hope this helps!
what is your favorite thing about writing?
Author
Hi Jospeh, Creating characters and watching how they journey through their problems to achieve a goal. I always learn something about human behavior, and I hope my readers do too.
What do you do when you’re asked to read a book for promotion and actually don’t like it? I review for everything I read, so as to promote Christian fiction. I try to say as many nice things as possible, but the number of stars is a requirement and I feel like that is very telling.
Author
Perrianne, there are times when I love the writer but the story doesn’t resonate with me. A few solutions are: 1) Simply point out the good points. 2) Regarding stars—If I can’t give a four or five honestly, then I ignore that part. 3) If the story is really bad, choose not to review it.
What are your favorite fictions reads of the last year or so? I recommend Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.
Author
Thanks Jcp. I enjoyed Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci; The Last Exchange by Charles Martin; The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron; Fatal Domain by Steven James; The Never Game by Jeffrey Deaver; Hidden in the Night by Elizabeth Goddard and more!
What is the most compelling and amazing thing you’ve discovered about God?
Author
Dawn, thank you. What an incredible question. God’s unconditional love amazes me in ways I can’t put into words. We are such a pathetic creation, always falling short of what God wants for us. But through Jesus, we have unconditional love.
What is your theme Bible verse(s) for writing? And if you could sum up your mission for writing in one or two sentence, what would you say?
Author
Thanks, Maureen. My life verse and verse for my writing ministry is the same – Jeremiah 20:9, the NIV version. But if I say I will not mention His word, or speak anymore in His name, His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in. Indeed I cannot.
How much of your protagonists reflect your personality and experiences?
Author
Hi Debbie, I work very hard to develop unique characters/protagonists who are not me, but every once in a while, I see a glimpse of me. Thanks for the question!
My first Christian Middle Grade novel, Jungle Hunt, was published in 2023 by Anaiah Press. But sadly, the two devastating hurricanes that hit Florida last year damaged their business so much that they are now out of business…so my book is no longer in print. What is your advice to find another publisher that would be interested in my novel?
Author
Hi Luci. I’m so sorry about the hurricanes affecting your book. I suggest two things: 1) Pick up the newest copy of The Christian Writers Market Guide 2025 for a list of publishers who are interested in middle grade stories and their guidelines. 2) Consider attending the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference for networking, learning, and meeting agents and editors. I believe their classes are on the site. Always pray for guidance and keep writing!
What is your favorite vacation spot and why that spot? 🙂
Author
Thanks, Melissa. My favorite vacation spot is an area outside of Estes Park, CO near an entrance into The Rocky Mountains National Park. It’s a cabin beside a running stream of water surrounded by deer, elk, and sheep. Since I live in Houston, the mountains are my go-to spot.
I agree with you, DiAnn about your go to spot. I live in a very small town 45 miles south of San Angelo, Texas and I would go to the mountains every chance I had. My favorite are the San Juan Mountains in the area of Durango, Silverton, Ouray and Lake City. Love your books and am two behind that are on my self. Keep writing, sweet lady. God bless you and your writing.
I like to write literary fiction, not genre fiction. The main difference, according to Michael Woodson of Writer’s Digest, is that genre fiction has rules for each genre, but lit-fic is allowed to break any rule as long as the reader stays interested and keeps reading. My question for you, DiAnn, is: Do you know anyone in the lit-biz who loves lit-fic; can you give me a name or two? I asked Jerry Jenkins that question and he said he doesn’t move in those circles. (The problem may be that he and I use different definitions of lit-fic, so here is a link to Woodson’s essay: https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/what-is-literary-fiction?) P.S.: I do give many examples of my stuff on my website.
Author
Hi Lewis, my view of lit-fic is much like Jerry’s. The article stated, “For a general understanding, literary fiction focuses on style, character, and theme over plot—unlike most genre and commercial fiction.” My preference is character drives theme and character drives plot, so my writing and reading preference tends more to genre fiction.
DiAnn I got YNB and have not been put in the Facebook community
Please tell the team to put me in because I signed up on December 17th.
Author
Christina, I sent your concern to the Guild. So sorry for the problem.
Actually, my robot book breaks Woodson’s lit-fic rule about character not driving plot very much. The characters totally drive the plot because it is a clash of people versus AI truth-seeking testing machines, but not in the traditional sci-fi manner of angry or armed conflict. Each group and person has their own overlapping or conflicting priorities, and everyone just tries to reach their goals and get their jobs done despite the fundamental differences of personalities and perceptions about language, emotions, trust, and truth.
I have a book with an unknown character. A sort of shady behind the scenes person, pulling strings. He will not be identified until the third book of the series. Is it too cliche to write his POV scene in the first person?
Author
Hi Kerri, at first glance, I believe first person is appropriate for the unknown character. It adds suspense, intrigue, and mystery to the story. I haven’t read the book or the series, but I encourage you to try the technique.
When did animals stop speaking to humans? The serpent spoke to Eve in the Garden (and she wasn’t surprised that an animal spoke.) The donkey spoke to Balaam (and he wasn’t surprised.) When did that stop?
Author
Hi Mary, what a fun question. I have no clue if or when animals stopped speaking to humans. They may still, and the human is reluctant to share it. Or those incidents are limited to biblical times. But I do know God does whatever He purposes.