When a Writing Critique Slashes the Heart

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills We writers are a passionate, emotional group. While these traits help us create beautifully worded fiction and non-fiction, nothing slashes the heart deeper than a harsh critique of our work. We might catch ourselves reading a harsh critique and thinking: “Even an idiot would get this.” “What? You’ve got to be kidding?” “Obviously, my style doesn’t …

Cooking Up a Story

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills I like to cook and bake almost as much as I love writing. Spending time in the kitchen is relaxing, satisfying, and hopefully the results are tasty. I’ve discovered my passion for writing has a lot in common with food prep. Cooking makes me a better writer. Look at the following comparisons; I think you’ll understand …

January 24th is National Peanut Butter Day

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills For those who know me, I have a huge food weakness—peanut butter. In celebration of today, I’ll share a story of my fondness, more like an addiction to peanut butter. When I was sixteen, I’d been ill and my normally picky eating habits grew worse. I’ve always had an aversion to red meat, which bothered Dad. …

January 10th – National Peculiar People Day

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Would you rather be normal or peculiar? Think about the successful and noteworthy people through the ages, the ones you admire and respect. Were they boring or a bit quirky? Courageous? Distinctive? Set apart? Not afraid to take a stand for what was right? Mysterious? Bold? Resilient? Outliers? Unaffected by others’ opinion? I think you understand …

The Reading Challenge for 2023

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Reading and goal setting are two topics that nibble on my 2023 New Year’s plans. I weave both to include fiction and nonfiction books. Goodreads encourages its members to expand their minds by issuing a challenge. I’ve accepted their reading challenge for years. What are the advantages and disadvantages of accepting a reading challenge? Advantages of …

My Christmas Gift To You – The Ornament Maker

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills It’s never too late to get into the Christmas spirit. THE ORNAMENT MAKER is a FREE PDF download. A Christmas Short Story written just for you this season. Journey with me to an old German village and rediscover the miracle of Christmas.           CLICK THIS FOR FREE PDF DOWNLOAD OF CHRISTMAS SHORT …

Christmas Quotes by Writers

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Have you ever read what other writers have said about Christmas? Curiosity, like a writerly-child (I made that up), propelled me to explore several quotes. These are so special that I wanted to share twelve of them with you. —“Do give books—religious or otherwise—for Christmas. They’re never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal.” – Lenore Hershey —”Christmas! …

Six Tips for a Holly, Jolly and Healthy Christmas

By DiAnnMills @DiAnnMills Guest post by Ginny Dent Brant The one thing I dread about the holiday season is the unending temptations that dance around me for almost a month. It’s hard to say no. By the time the holidays are over, added pounds are weighing me down. My blood sugar tanks, depression sets in, and I don’t feel well. …

Christmas Stories to Warm the Soul

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Every year we read Christmas stories that warm our souls and sometimes in between. These tales are precious to many of us. They spark the Christmas spirit in big and small ways, and if you look closely, you can find Jesus in all of them with peace on earth, and goodwill to men. This week I’d …