By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Writers of all genres welcome brainstorming sessions. The opportunity to discuss new ideas and solve problems in a creative environment is an amazing resource. Our minds kick down the doors that hold our imaginations captive, and the result is a collective stroke of genius. By using the acronym, BRAINSTORMING, you can bring the whirling to a …
The Health Benefits of a Vacation
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Two weeks ago, my husband and I took a much-needed vacation. We sensed our physical, mental, and spiritual bodies required a change of pace for optimum health. Some people prefer the ocean or a body of water to relax. Some (like me) prefer the mountains to hike and breathe in the fresh air. Others long for …
John Wooden’s Socks
DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Today’s Guest Blog Written by Curt Iles @CurtIles “It isn’t what you do, but how you do it.” – John Wooden I was a college senior the year I met John Wooden in 1979. I was preparing to embark on my journey as a high school basketball coach. I traveled to Monroe, Louisiana to hear John Wooden …
Nonfiction Recommendations for Everyday Life
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills We all need to engage our minds in learning about real people, real events, and discovering facts. Nonfiction reading educates and informs, and my belief is we become better citizens of the world by empowering ourselves with awareness. In this post, I’d like to share recent book titles that have impacted me personally and spiritually. You …
The Adventures of Reading Fiction
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills I write romantic suspense, and I read the same genre. But the adventures of fiction reading transport me into other genres too. Since the New Year, I’ve discovered amazing new novels, some written by writers who always deliver a powerful story with outstanding characters and other discoveries from new writers who are new to me. Promoting …
The Inside Scoop on the Jewelry Designs for TRACE OF DOUBT
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Readers of Trace of Doubt have asked me about the jewelry pieces in the story. This post gives you the inside scoop of the jewelry designs and their names. My heroine, Shelby Pierce, accomplished three valuable feats while in prison: She earned a master’s degree in business. She learned the art of designing jewelry. She became …
Are You a Vertical Writer?
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills We writers are in the business of learning the craft, using our imaginations, writing, editing, rewriting, and the process repeats. That’s horizontal writing. We’re depending on people and earth’s resources to help us reach our publishing dreams and goals. While we prayerfully consider wise counsel and seek knowledge, too often we forget that we are called …
The Challenges and Opportunities of a Writer’s Life
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills A writer’s life doesn’t fit the 9-5 mold of most of the working world. Challenges smack us in the face, and we must be ready to evaluate what we are doing right and what we are doing less-than-best. An attitude of looking at life’s hiccups as an opportunity puts an optimistic spin on our mental and …
Writing – A Sacred Adventure
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Writers travel a sacred adventure—a journey of the soul fueled by the opportunity to touch the lives of countless people. We have been given a treasured gift, the gift of writing. Writing is not an easy journey, but it’s one filled with holiness. Writing is a path each writer takes alone, but in the stillness, we …
Research – Adding Reality to a Story
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Writing and research go hand in hand for a credible story. If a manuscript isn’t accurate, the reader will recognize the flaw and toss the book aside. If a writer is spot-on, the extra work rewards them with outstanding reviews and more readers. Sort of a no-brainer for us writers. How do we conduct our research …