By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Readers ask me how I choose my characters’ names. Every book has the same challenge, and the answer is not simple. Selecting character names is a process, one that involves time and research. I keep a list of names for people and pets, but that doesn’t mean I use them. A character’s identity is who they

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills July 14th is National Mac and Cheese Day! Are you a Mac and Cheese lover? Yum—rich cheese blends in a thick sauce over macaroni. Heavenly comfort in a bowl. Young and old reach for generous helpings—cause it’s so good. Making your own Mac & Cheese? These are the best cheeses to try: Cheddar (sharp or mild). This

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills The Bible shows many meanings for release according to its usage, from the Hebrew in the Old Testament to the Greek in the New Testament. Throughout, the overall definition refers to a physical, spiritual, or emotional release. God wants us restored to a whole relationship with Him and freed from the bondage of sin. The Greek

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills On July 4th, our country celebrates its 250th birthday. Many of us have planned and prayed about how we should commemorate July 4th, a milestone in American history. We look forward to gathering with family and friends for traditional celebrations. The day represents not only red, white, and blue flags with bursts of colorful fireworks, but

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills The typewriter invented by Christopher Latham Sholes in 1867 changed how documents were created making written communication faster and more efficient than ever before. Over the years, advances in technology refined the machine. It’s amazing to think that the QWERTY keyboard I use every day traces its roots back to a typewriter This link to National

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Summer . . . We love every minute, every smell, every sound, every touch, every memory, and especially the tastes that only summer brings from watermelon to hotdogs. Close your eyes and dream of beaches, barbeques, picnics, family vacations, special fun with friends, back porches, lightning bugs, dreams of yesterday’s summers, and lots of lazy days.

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday. Across the country, communities and families are planning grand celebrations. Bands will play music that gets our feet moving and our voices singing. Flags will wave proudly. Homes and neighborhoods will glow in red, white, and blue. Choirs will sing beloved patriotic songs. Families

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills June is National Dairy Month, and what better way to celebrate our introduction to summer than with ice cream. As a girl, I loved Dairy Queen—actually, I still do. One of my favorite memories is my brother choosing to ride in the back of our dad’s pickup with his ice cream cone. The wind picked up

DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Welcome to Author Spotlight!  I’m delighted to present Jaime Jo Wright,  my featured suspense author! Jaime Jo Wright, multi award-winning author–including the Christy and Daphne du Maurier awards–is a coffee-fueled and cat-fancier extraordinaire. She has entwined her life with the legendary Captain Hook, residing serenely in Wisconsin’s rural woodlands. Her literary vocation involves penning chilling Gothic tales,

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Novelists wear many different hats to create realistic and exciting stories. We study, research, visit our settings, interview people, and spend hours learning the craft while exploring character to create believable emotions. We write for ourselves to stoke our incessant imaginations, and we write for readers to venture into new worlds and learn more about themselves.