By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Traveling is a part of my life as a writer, and I love it. Over the years, I’ve simplified my packing method, and I’d like to share with you 9 easy ways to ensure your next trip meets expectations with a perfect plan for taking just what you need. Here are 9 easy ways to make

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills You can Win! I love story. It’s been my passion since before I could hold a pencil. Maybe you’ve thought about writing for a long time but just couldn’t get started. Yet communicating through the written word will not leave you alone. This is your opportunity to get started now. All you need to do is

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: Work Hard Play Hard Last week, I was on faculty at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference at Ridgecrest, North Carolina. A beautiful conference center nestled in the Smoky Mountains. We had over 400 conferees. Wow! Lots of learning for fiction and nonfiction writers, taught by multi-published writers who are valued in the

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet This: Strong Women, Strong Roles Readers often ask how I choose my heroines. My goal is to create women who accept nontraditional roles and succeed with dynamic outcomes. These are Glock-totin‘ gals with southern charm who understand grits aren’t just for breakfast. These women embrace their femininity with an added boost—they aren’t afraid to go

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zone Last week Houston experienced the worst flooding since 2001. With the torrential storms and downpours that brought 16 to 20 inches of rain came tornadoes. My neighborhood, friends, and church family were impacted, but we were fine. The devastation that hit the community was measured by the number

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: 5 Things We Want to Hear When We’re Down When we’ve been slammed with bad news or rude comments, our first instinct is to either cry, run, or punch someone in the nose. Too many times the situation heads us toward depression. Not fun. Being down is like finding yourself at the bottom of

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: First Lines of Stories that Inspire I’m an avid reader, but I’m also picky. Confession time here . . . If a story doesn’t grab me in the first line, I’m reluctant to read further. Out of respect for the writer, I might continue for a paragraph. Normally, I’m done and ready to move

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: Highways, Speed Bumps, and Traffic Lights Writers seldom become successful and create a marketable book—overnight. At least that wasn’t my experience. The victories and triumphs are waylaid with rejection slips, disappointments, and  lots of rewrites. But when the first sale was made, I knew it was worth every drop of sweat and tears. My

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: Vacation Magic Last week, husband and I spent six days in Estes Park, Colorado. We love the Rocky Mountain National Park, and often retreat there. We work at home, so unless we leave, we don’t have a break. We packed our coats, scarves, gloves, and hiking boots for a March getaway. Once in Estes

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Tweet this: March Celebrations March is here and with it comes the promise of spring, and we’re ready. No matter how much we love our winter sweaters, fireplaces, and snow sports, green and the color of blooming flowers is more appealing. So let’s get on board the spring train by celebrating March. Take a look at the