By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Most writers read and write in the same genre. Professionally speaking, that’s the way it should be. If I’m not as excited about the romantic suspense story I’m writing as the one I’m reading, then quality suffers. This applies to all genres, and not just my chosen one of romantic suspense. Here are the five reasons …
How Heavy is a Glock and Other Cool Stuff?
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills In creating romantic suspense novels, research takes me into areas I never dreamed. My goal is to know my character and how that person walks through life. What if I were the character? Ever wonder how much extra weight a Glock adds to an FBI agent? I’m kind of a lightweight, so that thought has crossed …
What Makes a Woman a Heroine?
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills As a writer, I have a list of what I feel is vital for a woman to be a heroine in a romantic suspense novel. Determining who my female character is takes time and lots of thought. My criteria may not be what you expected. It’s not brains or beauty. It’s not an ivy-league education. It’s …
The Thrill of Writing Suspense
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Many of you have asked me why I enjoy writing suspense. A recent interview answers that question for you along with why I view the process a rewarding challenge. Question: Suspense novels usually feature grittier scenes than other genres. In writing about crime scenes and killers, how do you write about them realistically without making your …
First Lines of Stories that Inspire
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 …
Highways, Speed Bumps, and Traffic Lights
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 …
Vacation Magic
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 …
DEADLOCK – Available Now!
Tweetable – Latest From DiAnn’s Desk – DEADLOCK Available Now! via @DiAnnMills http://bit.ly/1VmiwfY #NewBookRelease #DeadlockBook #ChristFic (Click to Tweet) DEADLOCK by DiAnn Mills Available NOW! Dear Reader, Crisp temps of fall usher in a time to relax and curl up in a favorite reading chair. This is the perfect time to read Deadlock, a romantic suspense set in Houston, my city. This third …
A Taste of Double Cross
Tweetable – Latest From DiAnn’s Desk – A Taste of Double Cross via @DiAnnMills http://bit.ly/1FnmSue #DoubleCrossBook (Click to Tweet) For readers who haven’t read DOUBLE CROSS, Book 2 in the FBI: Houston series, here’s the prologue! PROLOGUE Special Agent Laurel Evertson had done everything required of her and more to gain Morton Wilmington’s affections. The gaudy diamond on her left hand …
The Life I’m Living
Tweetable – Latest From DiAnn’s Desk – The Life I’m Living via @DiAnnMills http://bit.ly/1KlgQPB #WritersLife (Click to Tweet) The Life I’m Living and the Life I’m Observing I’m a lot like you. Average in so many ways. I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, neighbor, friend … and writer. Perhaps the last descriptor is what makes me different from most people. Yet …