By DiAnn Mills @diannmills I believe in the power of fiction to change lives and encourage others—no matter the reader’s age, culture, education, social status, or life experiences. Fiction is a non-threatening environment to entertain others or help them journey through problems by stepping into a character’s shoes. The visceral experience takes the reader on a journey or adventure. For …
Understanding Story Foundations—Personality
DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Understanding personalities takes work and patience. Characters are like us—unique individuals whose preferences and life experiences determine our behavior and personality. Most of us recognize a character as an introvert or extrovert, but do we know to what extreme? Is the character a little introverted or a lot? Are they a friendly extrovert or an over-the-top, people-person? …
Ask Me Anything!
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills I might be putting my life in my hands with this week’s blog post—but Ask Me Anything. This is a topic that several of you initiated when I asked for blog ideas. This week is for you! Submit your questions in the comments, and let’s have some fun. What is something you’ve always wanted to ask …
Author Spotlight Breana Johnson!
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Welcome to Romantic Suspense Author Spotlight. I am pleased to feature Award Winning Breana Johnson! Breana Johnson once sat in on a med school class and answered a question that stumped all the students. The question had more to do with 70s folk music than medical knowledge, but she’s still proud of it. When she’s not …
What My Characters Teach Me
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills If I don’t change and grow into a better person when writing a story, I’ve failed —not just the characters, but also the storyline, my readers, myself, and the God who gifted me with the ability to write. My characters help me see life from a new perspective, offering deeper insights into how others live in …
Author Spotlight! Caitlin Miller
DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills This week begins a monthly spotlight on romantic suspense writers who wow me with their amazing stories, and I want you to know about them too. Welcome Caitlin Miller! Caitlin Miller, represented by The Steve Laube Agency, has been writing stories for nearly a decade and self-published two books in 2022. She has also been an English …
Summer Hits of the 60s
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills I graduated from high school in 1969, and the summer music of the 60s transport me back in time with sweet memories and lots of laughter. Now, for all of you who are doing the math and have calculated my age—keep it to yourself. 😊 Who can resist the summer hits of the 60s? I’ve listed …
Your Imagination’s WOW Factor
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Writers use their imaginations to mentally transport readers into an adventure, an unforgettable experience. The goal is for the reader to step into the character’s shoes and walk a magnificent journey. Imagination and creativity are not the same, but they work together. Imagination propels creativity by connecting what our mind sees with how best to show …
Story Souls: The Magic of Characters
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills I believe stories have souls that breathe immortality into a reader’s life. An unforgettable story steps beyond “Once upon a time” to a kingdom that captures the heart of a reader forever. Not every story has that golden world, and not every reader experiences the same soul-grabbing story. What lingers as a memorable novel for me …
Journal for Writing Creativity
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Some people have journaled since they received their first notebook or diary. They entered information daily, weekly, or whenever the whim urged them to complete an empty page. Some of them used a lock to prevent others from reading their inner thoughts, while others hid their recollections where no one could find them. Many people today …