Behind the Scenes of Writing a Novel

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Writers spend hours, weeks, months, and sometimes years working on behind-the-scenes research in writing a novel. I’m no different. The story must be so real to the readers that they block the outside world and become the character. Research involves thoroughly understanding the protagonist and antagonist. This includes how they live, earn a living, and react/respond …

What Do Writers Eat for Breakfast?

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Have you considered what successful writers eat for breakfast? It must be The Breakfast of Champions, or are they just regular people with normal tastes? I posed this question to several writers, and wow, the surprising responses! I arranged this list from most popular to . . . different. Coffee: 15—This includes the coffee-only bunch. My …

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 …

The Differences Between Christian and General Market Suspense

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Before diving into the differences between Christian and general market suspense, let’s first define a suspense novel. A suspense novel uses highly developed characters, excitement, real or imagined fear, anxiety about something potentially violent, and high stakes to create an emotionally charged experience for the reader. The fast-paced stories use literary techniques to keep the character’s …

Love and Danger: Why Romance and Suspense Are a Perfect Match

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnn Mills Love and danger have caught the reader’s attention since the beginning of time. Storytellers gathered faithful listeners around a crackling fire and told stories that caused others to tremble with danger and swoon with romance. The match seems perfect, but why does it work? The following parts of a novel show why love and danger …

October 22 – National Color Day

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills National Color Day celebrates how every person interprets the way  light reflects or bounces off an object. The experience is more than what we see and enjoy or avoid. The various hues and shades impact us creatively, physically, and psychologically. Color is one of my favorite literary tools to show emotion and encourage readers to join …

DiAnn Gives Workshop To Central Ohio Fiction Writers

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DiAnn’s thrilled to have the opportunity to give a virtual workshop to Central Ohio Fiction Writers @ 1:30 PM Eastern Standard Time  on August 17, 2024 on the topic of: How to Attract Book Clubs to You and Your Book Writers love to have their books featured by book clubs. We’re excited, passionate, and long for readers to enjoy a new …

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 …