We had the good fortune of connecting with Diann Mills and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi DiAnn, what do you attribute your success to?
I’ve been traditionally published in the Christian market since 1998. While I could write five pages on what has been the success of my brand: Expect an Adventure. Romantic Suspense Author DiAnn Mills, one factor stands out.
The writing is not about me. God called me to write fiction to meet the needs of my readers. That means I establish sincere and lasting relationships with my readers, follow them on social media, comment and respond, use transparency, and stay up to date in what is going on in their world.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a writer. I look at the world and its people through sensory perception, emotion, color, personality., and what-if. Story is everywhere. It lingers in conversation, day to day events, hopes, longings, desires, goals, faith, fears, joys, greed, victories, failures, and the understanding and acceptance that no two people are alike.
I’m passionate about teaching the craft of writing to the next generation in hopes they will succeed far more than I have.
I love people, but I’m also introverted. Observing behavior intrigues me. I’ve always been interested in psychology and why people choose their behavior. This study to better my writing and my ministry is a lifelong pursuit. It takes work and commitment.
In my over two decades of writing and publishing, I’ve learned to everyday—read the bestsellers, read the how-to books and articles, write everyday, pray, and repeat.
I want the world to know I care about them, and the stories I write take a slice of life and entertain, inspire, and encourage.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I suggest my friend arrive on a Tuesday and return home on Monday. First, I’d ask what she wanted to do. If she left our time together up to me, this is what I’d suggest.
1. Relax. Lots of conversation. Discuss itinerary. Depending on when her flight arrives, squeeze in lunch at Hillstone’s. I’d cook dinner – because I love to cook.
2. Old Town Spring . Late lunch at The Cheesecake Factory at The Woodlands Mall. Shop till we drop. Dinner – her choice.
3. Thursday: Lanier Theological Library Tour: Dinner at Hasta La Pasta – Champions
4. George Ranch – Lunch and dinner out . . .
5. Friday: Galveston fun – eat at Willy G’s
6. Sunday: Attend church and small group at Champion Forest Baptist Church. Lunch at Gringo’s. Visit Houston Art Museum with dinner at Kenny & Ziggy’s
7. Breakfast at Another Broken Egg. Check on time to take friend to airport and see if there’s anything missing from the list.
8. If time allows, a trip to the Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Dean Mills. He challenged me to write in 1996 when I didn’t have the confidence to try. He’s my best cheerleader and sometimes my nightmare editor. 🙂 Dean believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Since 2017, he’s worked full time with me in the writing ministry. He develops ,my videos, banners, arranges travel, edits, and anything else I need. He says he’s My Executive Administrator of Whatever I Need. He’s also my Pickle-Averter; I have a tendency to say yes and get myself in a pickle.
Website: https://diannmills.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannmillsauthor/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannmills/
Twitter: https://x.com/diannmills
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diannmills
Yelp: -0-
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/diannmills
Other: Pinterest:: https://www.pinterest.com/diannmills/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/81639.DiAnn_Mills
BoobBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diann-mills
Image Credits
Lynette Eason
Mallory Photography