Inspiring Readers

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills I am a storyteller. My purpose is to create stories that engage and entertain the reader. I believe a story should breathe life into the reader with a message that helps navigate the unpredictable waters of life. Within the elements of my story, my characters, plot, dialogue, emotion, and setting together weave a message that inspires …

Read to Know and Grow

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Reading makes us heroes,. The habit encourages us to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. The more we know, the more we grow, and the more we can show others information or a slice of life that will add value to their lives. Tall expectations, but it’s motivated me to read for—never mind the years. Let’s say …

Are You Ready for May – Get Caught Reading Month?

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills May is National Get Caught Reading Month, so I researched what the celebration means to readers young and old. Here are four facts! The month of May is dedicated to reading. The Association of American Publishers sponsors the celebration. Many well-known people support the month-long celebration. Online websites offer hints to how we can support reading. https://nationaltoday.com/get-caught-reading-month/ …

Writers need understanding

Hey, Writer, Do Your Family and Friends Understand You?

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Writers long for family and friends to understand them. This afternoon, I peered out my office window and observed my neighbors laughing and talking. Longing washed over me, and I considered joining them—like a real person with a real neighborly smile, great attitude, understanding, and able to contribute to the conversation. Just that quickly, my thoughts …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Raising the Bar on Christian Fiction

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Have you ever heard a reader say they didn’t read Christian fiction because of poor writing? Either the characterization, plot, dialogue, setting, emotion, or description disappointed them. Professional writers always evaluate their craft to raise the bar and attract readers to an outstanding story. Some Christians write for the Christian market, and others write for the …

November 1 – National Author’s Day – Winner Announced

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Today is National Author’s Day, and whether you are a reader, writer, or both, it’s a good reason to show an author that you care. Books thrill, inform, inspire, educate, entertain, show us new cultures, and how people lived in historical eras. We can do none of this unless we have authors who will learn how …

Book Club Giveaway Celebrating Release of CONCRETE EVIDENCE

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills ATTN: Book Clubs / Libraries Unless you are new to my blog posts, you know that I LOVE BOOK CLUBS and LIBRARIES! I would enjoy hosting your reading group via Zoom. Q&A time is often a favorite as readers get to probe my brain with all their burning questions 😉 To celebrate this month’s release of …