By DiAnn Mills @DiAnn Mills Love and danger have caught the reader’s attention since the beginning of time. Storytellers gathered faithful listeners around a crackling fire and told stories that caused others to tremble with danger and swoon with romance. The match seems perfect, but why does it work? The following parts of a novel show why love and danger …
Short Story: Grandpa—A Retired PI
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills And now for something different: In the fast-paced world of Houston, a retired private investigator named Larry is ready to welcome his grandson, Greer, for the summer. But their reunion quickly turns into a high-stakes adventure when Larry discovers Greer’s life may be in danger due to his mother’s dangerous choices. As Larry reconnects with his past …
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 …
20 Reasons to Read Fiction
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Has anyone ever said to you that reading fiction is a waste of time, money, and brain matter? That’s hogwash! Yes, I’m passionate about fiction, and here’s why! To enjoy an entertaining adventure for readers. To learn about the world and people in an unthreatening environment. To be encouraged in our own lives by characters overcoming …
7 Habits of an Enthusiastic Reader
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Readers come in all shapes, sizes, and ages, but one trait they have in common is their enthusiasm for reading. Some prefer short nonfiction or fiction pieces while other readers reach for full-length nonfiction or fiction. Avid readers devour one book after another while many prefer to linger on each word. Word lovers highlight and underline …
Creating Powerful Fiction in the 21st Century @ Helen Hall Library
DiAnn will be teaching on creating powerful fiction in the 21st century all day at Helen Hall Library in League City, TX, Saturday, May 12th starting at 10:30 a.m. Presentations on Writing Fiction to include: 10:30 – 11:30 – Characterization and Backstory – The Muscle of Motivation and Plot 11:30 – 12:15 – Creating Lightning Emotion and Symbolism 12:20 – …
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 …
Strong Women in Fiction
By Katie Briggs @DiAnnMills This week’s blog post is written by Katie Briggs Think of your top ten favorite characters in literature and cinema. How many are women? If you’re like me, your number of leading men outweighs your favorite ladies. Even worse, you might also be a writer and find female characters difficult to create! So, I asked my …
DiAnn Teaching @ Taylor University’s Professional Writers’ Conference
Learn how to get published August 3-4, 2018Whether you are simply thinking about writing or seriously working to become a published author, Taylor University’s Professional Writing Conference offers you: • Inspiring keynote talks with best-selling authors Michelle Medlock Adams and DiAnn Mills plus publisher Karen Porter • Seminars on all phases and genres of writing and marketing fiction and nonfiction for …
Daydream Believer
Those of you who grew up in the 60s remember Davy Jones and The Monkees sang this tune. John Stewart wrote it, and in December 1967, “Daydream Believer” hit the coveted number one spot on American charts. You can read the words and listen to the song here: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/monkees/daydreambeliever.html I’m a believer in daydreams. I think it’s a prerequisite to …