By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Last week, we lost a remarkable and talented woman, Barbara Bush. She was the wife of President George H. W. Bush and mother of President George W. Bush. That says a lot about her special traits without mentioning a single other attribute. We’ve all been touched by her dynamic personality. Of all Barbara Bush’s many accomplishments, …
A Fiction Writer’s Hardest Task
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Last week a reader asked about my hardest task as a writer. I had to think before answering. I’m in the midst of line edits before turning in my next story, so I’m totally emerged in every word, goal, voice, gesture, motive, plot line, romance, suspense, symbol, character(s), emotion, dialogue, narrative, transition, spiritual impact, as well …
11 Ways to Say I Love You on Valentine’s Day That Won’t Break the Bank
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Since the 14th century, Valentine’s Day has been celebrated as a time of romantic love. But let’s face it, candy, flowers (roses), exquisite restaurants, get-away weekends, and one-of-a-kind gifts can blow our budget. Even paying for a babysitter is expensive. This week, I have your back. Here are 11 ways to say, “I Love You”, that …
Dispensers of Love
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Dispensers of love come from all walks of life. Hurricane Harvey dumped 50 inches of rain on the millions of people of the Gulf Coast. Reports as of this writing state the devastation has impacted approximately 145,000 homes and an estimated 60 people have lost their lives. While driving just beyond my neighborhood, the mounds of …
10 Characteristics of a Best Friend
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Our best friends love us despite our faults. They are our 2:00 a.m. friends. They listen to us when we’re ecstatic and comfort us when we think our lives have been flushed down the toilet. And we are there for them too because that’s what best friends do. Statistics show best friends often overlook each other’s …
5 Things I Learned at New York’s Central Park
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills New York City is a beautiful city filled with wonder, adventure, entertainment, many cultures, and the real estate that goes straight up. Visiting New York is always a treat, and this 8 day trip exceeded my expectations. My destination was ThrillerFest, a comprehensive learning and networking with writers working on all levels of their career. When …
Creating Vacation Memories
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills July is the biggest vacation month of the year. The beaches crowd with sun and water enthusiasts. Hikers pack Mountain Trails. Families pile into their vehicles for road trips. Travel agencies book one destination after another. And the list continues. Staycations can be on our back porch, sipping iced-tea and listening to music, reading, or catching …
5 Ways to Avoid Summer Stress
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Summer is a few weeks away, and it begins with Memorial Day, a time for families to explore the many activities waiting for us outside. Schools will soon be out for the summer. Vacation plans take form. Family reunions, sports activities, camping, etc. Supposedly summer is a season to relax. We can’t enjoy the beautiful weather …
May – National Get Caught Reading Month
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills When I learned that May is National Get Caught Reading Month, I did a little research to see what the celebration means to young and old. Here are three facts: The celebration is sponsored by the Association of American Publishers. It’s supported by many well-known people. Online websites offer hints to teachers and parents about how …
How do you approach time?
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills We all have dreams and goals about how we want to spend our time. Our personalities, backgrounds, culture, and ideals help shape how we view this priceless commodity. How we view time also influences our work habits, play time, and personal relationships. None of us are alike. We have the same amount of time each day: …