Interview with Author DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills is the author of 20 novels, has participated in 21 novella collections, 11 non-fiction anthology collections, written one non-fiction book and has three new upcoming books yet this year. (I hope I got that right!) DiAnn is also a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a speaker to writers' and women's groups on inspirational and motivational topics.

Her latest book Lightning and Lace is Book 3 in the Texas Legacy Series from Barbour Publishing. The first two books were Leather and Lace and Lanterns and Lace. Here's the blurb on Lightning and Lace.

Clouds of Secrets Loom Over a Texas Town

Too many people are hiding things in this town. Afraid of someone or something.

A preacher - disarming and dangerous - arrives in Kahlerville, Texas, incognito. From what or whom is the bespectacled and bearded Travis Whitworth hiding?

A mother - widowed and wandering - attempts to rise from the ashes of mourning. Will Bonnie Kahler find the strength to conquer the demons within and face the evils without?

A boy - unruly and undisciplined - is fighting against what life has handed him. What will it take to turn Zack Kahler around?

A banker - deceitful and dubious - casts suspicions on the new preacher and Zack when a woman turns up dead. Will Lester Hillman hang the murder on innocent men?

Two men - determined and driven - desire to make the same woman their own. But only one can win her. What will it cost -heart or life?

When the storm retreats, who will be left standing?

DiAnn is active in her church where she volunteers as a church librarian and teaches ladies' Bible study. She and her husband have four adult sons.

Tell us a bit about yourself, your writing, and your publishing journey.

I was in the second grade when I began writing. I wrote poetry and stories. I remember filling up a Big Chief pad with my first book - a western. I don’t remember what happened in the story except the hero always rode off into the west at the end of each chapter. I imagine it resembled Wagon Train, since that was my favorite TV show at the time. My goodness, I hope some of your readers know that classic! Life got into the way, and my writing was tucked into a not-to-be-forgotten part of my heart. When I married my husband, he challenged me to write a book, and I haven’t stopped since then.


What is the greatest historical novel you’ve ever read and why?

Redeeming Love – Francine Rivers
It showed how flawed we all are and how God’s love doesn’t come with a list of rules. All He asks is to love and obey Him.


Did you have any experiences that prompted your love of fiction and historical fiction in particular?

I simply love a good story and how an author weaves the traits of the characters into something that is credible and real. My favorite line for creating a story is “What if?” That drives all of my stories and the characters.

How much time does it take to research your stories – what balance would you say there is between research and actual writing?


That depends on the story. Sometimes a month and sometimes I continue researching all the while I’m writing the story. The research is used when the character encounters a situation or circumstances that requires it. I’ve read too many novels in which the characters merely spout what the writer has learned.


Describe for us, if you will, your writing style, as in plotter vs. seat of the pants, and do you put more time into developing characters or plot or are they equal?

I am neither a SOP writer or a plotter. I’m in the middle. I know a few crucial scenes and lots more about the character before I begin. The story idea has played out in my head while I was living with my characters. For me, out of characterization comes plot. I would say that the process is equal.


Thanks DiAnn for taking the time to answer our questions. Join us again tomorrow for the second half of our interview. And for a chance to win a copy of DiAnn's Lightning and Lace, please leave a comment.

Until tomorrow...