Di Ann Mills’ interview

» Posted on Mar 31, 2009 in Blog | Comments Off on Di Ann Mills’ interview


This week I am hosting DiAnn Mills with Breach of Trust and Kathi Macias with How Can I Run a Tight Ship When I’m Surrounded By Loose Cannons?. If you want to be entered in the drawings for these books or one of them, please leave a comment during the week on a post. To be entered you must include your email address or you need to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com and tell me you want to be in the drawings. The drawings end next Sunday evening, April 5th.

DiAnn Mills’ interview:

1. What made you start writing?

I’d always wanted to write, but I didn’t think I had what it took. Of course, I didn’t know what was on the list of credentials. I began to write seriously when my husband made the statement “Why don’t you stop talking about one day writing a book. Just do it.” His challenge motivated me to get started.

2. How long have you been writing? When did you sell your first book?

I started writing in 1996—seriously. My first book was released in 1998.

3. How do you handle rejections?

Does anyone handle them well? I teach that rejections are redirections, and they are not rejections of us but our work. Since my agent handles the submissions, I’m not really involved with the process of knowing who does or does not want a manuscript. For those of us who do receive rejections, we simply have to believe God has another purpose for our writing.

4. Why do you write?

How do I not write? It’s a passion to show a character changing
and growing as he/she struggles to attain a goal. It’s a creative expression of Truth woven into a story that is credible and real.

5. What would you be doing with your free time if you weren’t
writing?

I have no idea. I suppose reading and dreaming about one day
writing a book. ☺

6. What are you working on right now?

I’m putting the final touches on A Woman Called Sage, a
historical novel set in the 1880s about a woman bounty hunter who
discovers she has become the hunted.

7. Do you put yourself into your books/characters?

I try very hard for my characters to stand alone as independent
persons who react and respond according the traits I’ve given
them. I think there is a little bit of the writer in every protagonist – the part of us who wants the world to be right and good.

8. Tell us about the book you have out right now.

Breach of Trust was a growing process for me. I stepped from the
historical and African novels to a fast-paced world of technology
and a novel that needed to move with lots of twists and turns.

Paige Rogers is a former CIA agent who lost all she treasured
seven years ago when her entire team was killed in a covert
mission. She blames their leader—Daniel Keary—whom Paige believes
betrayed them. Disillusioned and afraid for her life, she
disappeared and started a new life as a small-town
librarian. But when Keary announces his candidacy for governor of
her state, he comes after Paige to ensure that she won’t ruin his bid for office. He threatens everything she holds dear, and Paige must choose between the life of hiding that has become her refuge . . . or risking everything in one last, desperate attempt to right old wrongs.

9. Do you have any advice for other writers?

a. Keep writing and write everyday.

b. Read in the genre you want to write. Dissect those novels
and figure out why they work for you.

c. Read and study the books about how to write

d. Participate in conferences and network while you are there.

e. Participate in a writing group.

f. What you learn, give back to other writers.

g. Above all pray your work glorifies God.

10. How important is faith in your books?

Faith and truth are who my protagonists are. I don’t want to
write preachy novels that tell the reader about God. My goal is to write about characters who reach out to solve their problems according to a Christian world view.

11. What themes do you like to write about?

Letting go of the past and learning to forgive not only others
but ourselves.

12. What is your favorite book you’ve written and why?

My favorite book to date is Breach of Trust. It’s my new “baby”
and I feel the writing is my best to date.

13. What is your writing schedule like?

I am a scheduled and disciplined writer. I’m up before five a.m.
for a quiet time, answering e-mail, exercise, breakfast, and
shower. The rest of the morning is spent writing. When I’m in the
writing process, I have a word count, and I stick to it. The
afternoons are spent finishing up word count, reading and
editing, examining my writing students’ work, and promotion.

14. How do you juggle writing for different houses?

By understanding the goal and mission of each house: what they
publish, their authors, and their vision for my book.

By developing a relationship with the editor and those who will
be helping me make this book a success. These hard working people
are not only professionals but new friends who will last long after the book is released.