DiAnn Mills Let’s Chat!

Welcome, everyone!

I’m honored to welcome best-selling, award-winning author, DiAnn Mills, to our chat circle. I know you’ll love getting to know a bit more about this outstanding author of contemporary, historical, middle-grade fantasy, and non-fiction works.

DiAnn Mills: Author and Mentor

I met DiAnn over a decade ago at an ACFW Conference. Later, she mentored me in a Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild’s Craftsman Class. DiAnn has held a special place in my heart since those early days. 

Take it away, DiAnn!

Writer’s Life – Eccentric, Bizarre, and Sometimes Weird

Years ago, a good friend introduced me as her eccentric, bizarre, and weird writing friend. I loved it! Writers are a bit quirky because those distinguishing traits come with a creative mind.

Wherever we go from the grocery to the hardware store, we see material for our writing. Not a second of time is wasted. In every breath we are churning what we see, hear, smell, taste, and feel into prose.

Our mode of written expression ranges from fiction, devotions, nonfiction, poetry, song lyrics, and everything in between. Our passion for a topic draws us to fashion words into meaningful expression.

         We love the twist of a phrase.

         Treasure the way a word rolls off our tongue.

         Add value to every piece of written material to insure it’s new and dynamic. 

         We find well-written projects a thrill.

         Long to create our own unique expressions.

         And simply love what we do.

We journey through life with a different perspective that translates words into—beauty, color, insight, emotion, adventure, compassion, encouragement, inspiration, and unforgettable experiences.

What does eccentric, bizarre, and weird mean to a writer?

Eccentric

Our behavior is unconventional and often viewed as strange by “normal” people. We’ll go to any length to research our writing projects and spend hours alone perfecting one sentence. But how can we continue on our projects when an area drives us crazy?

Bizarre

Our behavior can be viewed as odd, even humorous. Frankly, I prefer extraordinary. We can stand outside in the pouring rain to understand the way it affects our senses and to discover metaphors and similes that fit. We act out our scenes and play all the characters’ parts. You see, normal can be so boring.

Weird

This descriptor of writers thrills me. I consider it a compliment when someone refers to me as peculiar, mysterious, and at times odd. Normal means others don’t have anything to talk about.

Dear writer, don’t fret when family and friends giggle about us or whisper behind our backs. One day they can say, “I knew that writer when …”

What unusual trait do you possess?

All About DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. You see, DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story. So why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. In addition, she is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and the Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson. Through these venues she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online. She would love to connect with readers on Facebook, Twitter, or any of the social media platforms listed at diannmills.com.

Other Recent Books by DiAnn Mills

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Lord, You give your creation unique gifts and smile when they use them for You. DiAnn is doing so, and I know You smile. Please bless each word she writes to Your glory. ~ For Jesus’ sake