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 …

Where to Find Ideas for Your Novel

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Where do authors find their ideas? From experience I can assure you a drone hasn’t delivered any of my stories to my front door or drop-shipped a complete novel into my brain. Sometimes I waken from a dream with an amazing idea, but that’s rare. Novel ideas are everywhere. We simply must train our minds to …

41 Tips to Make You a Better Writer

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Writers today search for tips to help them move forward in the craft. The following are 41 ways to sharpen your writing career. Pray for your writing ministry. Read in the genre you are writing. Read a craft how-to book each month. Read a marketing book each month. Study the bestsellers like a textbook. Study daily …

Are You an Introvert or an Extrovert?

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Most of us know if we’re introverts or extroverts, but do we know to what extreme? Are we a little introverted or a lot? Are we a friendly extrovert or an over-the-top people person? Rarely is a person 100 percent one way or the other. We are individuals and our preferences and life experiences determine our …

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How to Effectively Brainstorm a Novel

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Writers of all genres welcome brainstorming sessions. The opportunity to discuss new ideas and solve problems in a creative environment is an amazing resource. Our minds kick down the doors that hold our imaginations captive, and the result is a collective stroke of genius. By using the acronym, BRAINSTORMING, you can bring the whirling to a …

The Challenges and Opportunities of a Writer’s Life

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills A writer’s life doesn’t fit the 9-5 mold of most of the working world. Challenges smack us in the face, and we must be ready to evaluate what we are doing right and what we are doing less-than-best. An attitude of looking at life’s hiccups as an opportunity puts an optimistic spin on our mental and …

Writing – A Sacred Adventure

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Writers travel a sacred adventure—a journey of the soul fueled by the opportunity to touch the lives of countless people. We have been given a treasured gift, the gift of writing. Writing is not an easy journey, but it’s one filled with holiness. Writing is a path each writer takes alone, but in the stillness, we …

Research – Adding Reality to a Story

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Writing and research go hand in hand for a credible story. If a manuscript isn’t accurate, the reader will recognize the flaw and toss the book aside. If a writer is spot-on, the extra work rewards them with outstanding reviews and more readers. Sort of a no-brainer for us writers. How do we conduct our research …

DiAnn Teaching @ Women in Publishing Summit

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DiAnn is excited to teach “Creating the Antagonistic Setting” at the virtual Women in Publishing Summit March 2-5, 2022. The biggest virtual event for women in the publishing industry! Over 40 workshops for Nonfiction/General, Fiction, and Children’s book authors! This event is for: authors, editors, publishers, marketers. Culminating on International Women’s Day, we celebrate, empower, encourage, and support women writers and …

Help Me Choose Blog Topics for 2022

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills My blog posts are for you, and I want to make sure you see great content each week. To stretch my creativity and put a smile on your face, I first need your help in choosing blog post topics. Over the years, I’ve provided recipes, guest bloggers, contests, humor, wisdom, and an occasional video. I do …