Award-winning
author DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit
with unforgettable characters to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
DiAnn’s first book was published in 1998. She currently has more than fifty
books published.
Her
titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won
placements through the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Carol Awards and
Inspirational Reader’s Choice awards. DiAnn won the Christy Award in 2010 and
2011.
DiAnn
is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers and a member
of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America, and Advanced
Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches
writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also the Craftsman mentor for
the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild.
She
and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
Interview with DiAnn Mills
S.S: How long have you been
writing?
I started writing in 1998 when my
husband challenged me to write a novel.
S.S: Do you write full time? If the
answer is no, what else do you do? If you are a full time author, what other
jobs did you have in the past?
Full time! I was previously a
preschool teacher, then directed a preschool and daycare.
S.S: Tell us about the moment you
finally felt like a “real author”?
When I published my first short
story. The publication was Mature Living, and
it contained a story about my dad’s pet robin.
S.S.: Who has been your greatest
supporter as an author?
My husband. He’s my best
cheerleader and my nightmare editor. And that’s a good thing ... I think.
S.S: Why suspense? Do you
write in any other genres? If so, what?
I started writing contemporary and
historical romance, and I still write an occasional historical. But everything
I write has suspense elements, characters who are attempting to discover a
truth or stop a villain. I want to snag a reader’s breath as she reads about
characters who are surprised, verbally or physically attacked, or sense
something disastrous is about to happen.
S.S: How does your faith play into
your writing?
Everything! I write from a Christian
worldview, in which one or more of my characters react and respond to the world
around them according to the standards God has set for us.
S.S: If you couldn’t write, what
else would you want to do?
That’s a scary thought! I’m too old
to be an FBI agent or any of the other law enforcement agencies ... Teach
writing.
S.S: Tell us about your
current release.
The Survivor is
a March release. This is the sequel to The
Chase in the Crime Scene: Houston series.
Bestselling writer Kariss Walker, returns to
learn the truth in a twenty-year-old cold case. Special Agent Tigo Harris knew
the relationship that began in the first book, but he hasn’t given up. The
question is will he be able to find the villain who will stop at nothing to
keep his secret?
S.S: Where did you get your
inspiration for this book?
From a twenty-year-old solved cold
case in Houston FBI files. I massaged the facts to lay the foundation for my
story. My goal was not to exploit the victim but to show her strength and
courage.
S.S: What is the main thing you
hope readers remember from your story?
In The
Survivor, the real survivor is a victorious
young woman who battled the odds to not only live through a brutal attack but
to help the FBI find her assailant. I want my readers to accept the challenges
of their lives and live victoriously through Christ.
S.S: Who is your favorite character
in this book and why?
Tough call. Kariss and Tigo have
become much more than characters; they’ve become friends. Both refuse to be
held back by people and circumstances. They’re courageous. Want to protect the
innocent. A bit stubborn ... and quite lovable.
S.S: Who is your least favorite
character in this book? Why?
The villain, a man who refused help
after a tragic experience in Viet Nam. He allowed the darkness of a war prison
to overpower his mind and actions. I need to take a moment here and explain
myself. When tragedies occur, victims are faced with allowing the crime to rule
them or finding help so they can live from bondage.
S.S: What are you working on now?
A new FBI series featuring other
divisions and how those characters face the war on crime.
S.S: Now let’s get a little
personal. Name two things on your “bucket list” that you haven’t done yet.
1.
European tour
2.
Provide the funds for a water
well in Africa
S.S: What is the hardest thing you
have ever done?
Write. It’s a constant learning
environment that means the writer has to be constantly reading and growing in
the craft.
S.S.: Where can readers find you on
the internet?
S.S.: Anything else you’d like to
tell or share with us?
I
love to hear from readers! Join me on Facebook and sign up for my eNewsletter.
Who is
your hero? Leave a comment for a drawing to win a personalized copy of The Survivor!
My hero is my mom. She is so amazing and such a Godly woman. I try to be more like her every day.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I have one person who I consider my hero. There are many people I look up to and learn from.
ReplyDeletepbmax101@yahoo.com
My mom was my hero - she passed in January...I think back to how much she saw and did in her 97 years...and I am amazed...I miss her very much.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom AND my Dad --
ReplyDeleteI've learnt so much from both of them throughout my life, as much as they've become my best friends over the years,... that I would have to say that they're both my heroes! Especially on the testament of strength through persaverance, and intrigrity,... lasting love through the trials and woes of life, and the abliity to keep humour alive even if your not always feeling like the tides have gone your way! :)
Ms. Mills,... I haven't come across your series of books beforehand, and I welcome the pleasure of reading this one! The first inspirational suspense series I read was the O'Malley's by Dee Henderson, and followed it up with Beguiled. I tend to read tradtional cozies, but on occassion I have found a happy surprise in the inspirational section!
Thank you for this bookaway!
inkand-bookaways(at)usa.net
// Florida
My only hero is Jesus Christ. ♥
ReplyDeletecindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com
Well, as others mentioned their parents, I too have 2 wonderful parents who have lived Godly lives and shared their love of c'hrist with their family & friends. I would also like to say, I have another women who I have found much inspiration--our former Pastor's wife, named Bobbi. Bobbi has been through MANY difficult times, including a tragic car accident that took her father and brother-in-law and also seriously injured a nephew. Through this tragedy, she created a ministry called the Yellow Rose Ministries. (God showed her that even after the roses died, he could still bring new life through them) and now she ministers to many hurting souls through this ministry.
ReplyDeleteShe was also involved in a A/G marriage Encounter with her beloved husband (the former pastor) where she shared some personal sides of how god had ministered in their lives, making me want to have the same kind of relationship and marriage with my own husband...
Lastly, she is now going through terminal cancer with such a loving and caring attitude, still sharing with others God's love and concerns for us, even as we go through such an awful exerience. As a BC survivor myself, I admire her love and courage as she goes through this time, and I want to be "just like her, when I grow up"!
Vicki
vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com
Vicki, you are the winner of The Survivor. Sorry this is late. Just returned from Israel early this morning. I'll contact you via email for your address.
DeleteMany wonderful hero stories here.
My hero was my dad. And, of course later my 3 brothers who served in our military. Our servicemen and women have given so much to give us our freedom. I would like to win this book, if it isn't too late.
ReplyDeleteMaxie mac262(at)me(dot)com