Cooking Up a Story

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills I like to cook and bake almost as much as I love writing. Spending time in the kitchen is relaxing, satisfying, and hopefully the results are tasty. I’ve discovered my passion for writing has a lot in common with food prep. Cooking makes me a better writer. Look at the following comparisons; I think you’ll understand …

History of the Royal Game of Ur

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills I heard about the Royal Game of UR while watching an educational film about ancient Mesopotamia. Curiosity got the best of me, and my husband paused the program to search online for more information. The Royal Game of Ur is a board game dating back 4,000 years ago. That’s a long time to keep a game …

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 …

How is a Writer’s Life Like King David?

DiAnn Mills By DiAnnMills Most of us are familiar with King David of the Bible. His story is in 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Psalms, and many other parts of the Old and New Testament. For many of us, one of our first childhood Bible stories showed us how David took five smooth stones and used a …

12 Things I’ve Learned About Writing

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills In the past two decades plus, I’ve learned a lot about writing, the publishing industry, social media, marketing, and promotion. Along the way, I’ve made some embarrassing mistakes too. But I’m not diving into those. Here are 12 things I’ve learned about writing since publishing my first book. Maybe some will help you. 1. Research doesn’t …

In Pursuit of Tenacity

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills I was introduced to tenacity in middle school. We had a week of learning about tenacious people and how they were more than determined or stubborn, but persistent in their goals. The teacher designed the lessons to show the value of staying on task and shaking off negativity. Now, I look around me at the number …

How to Pack for the Perfect Vacation

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills July becomes vacation spectacular for many people around the world, and you may be one of them. Over the years, I’ve simplified my packing method, and I’d like to share with you 10 easy ways to ensure your trip meets expectations with a plan for taking just what you need—and ensuring the perfect vacation. Here are …

Danger Signs of a Too Comfortable Writer

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills We live in a comfortable society. But that can be dangerous for writers who choose complacency rather than pouring a steady stream of effort into their writing. Have you ever met a writer who expected and demanded results from readers, other writers, and those involved in the profession without doing their share of the work? It’s …

10 Ways for Writers to Toss Out Perfectionism

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Do you know writers who are miserable because they equate success with perfectionism? They seldom find satisfaction with their creativity and are rarely pleased with others’ accomplishments. Some say the perfectionism trait is determined by the writer’s personality, childhood, education, life experiences, and a host of other variables. Really? None of us are perfect writers, so …