by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Some writers refuse to open a book when they are in the throes of creating a novel. Not me! I want to read everything I can get my hands on, but I do have a pattern, or rather reading habits that develop my mental and spiritual life while fueling my creativity.

I begin my day with a quiet time, and I have a process (that can change with the Holy Spirit). First, I read a short devotion and journal my thoughts and prayers. Many nonfiction books capture the essence of what God is doing in our lives today, and I read a chapter a day from those titles. Next, I’m reading through the Bible and read two chapters. TheYouVersion Bible Studies app allows me to prayerfully select topics that help meet my spiritual needs and work through them on my iPad or iPhone. I do these studies alone and with with friends and family to encourage feedback. All the while, I make notes that affect all areas of my life and that includes my latest novel in progress.

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Daily, I read blog posts and books about the writing craft, publishing, marketing, branding, social media, and world events. This means that I often find ways to make my novel better. Critical to my novel writing is reading novels in my genre, including bestsellers. These well-written books challenge me to dive deeper into every area of my novel writing. Guess you figured me out: I’m super competitive.

Reading for fun involves all kinds of fiction reading. I’m entertained, inspired, and encouraged by new stories. Those three aspirations also inspire my novels. I laugh at the humor, and for a writer to make me laugh is a feat. I’m constantly looking out for canned humor instead of the natural but quirky things that come from character. That writer achieves an A+. I adore metaphors and similes that are unique. Oh, and I love to be challenge by creative phrasing.

Research is a constant companion. I’m sorta a wild-child adventurous type, and gathering details about a potential setting has my attention.

My writerly type books are worn (loved), and the e-versions are filled with highlights and notes. My scholarly books such as Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglusi’s Writers Helping Writers series of thesauruses and aids are stored on my Kindle. Sometimes I can’t find my desk (or tabs) on my laptop for the dictionaries, law enforcement guidelines, and whatever else that is needed for my novel.

Oh! I also have a book on my desk titled This is Your Life which is filled with 597 questions to tell your story. When I’m searching for a new topic to post on social media, this gives me ideas. I bought it at a dollar store.

 

I’m currently reading with my sister: Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva

 

And finishing up:

The Wings of Poppy Pendleton by Melanie Dobson

All Over But the Shoutin’ by Rick Bragg

Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton

Don’t laugh! Mediterranean Diet Cookbook

 

Lately, I’ve endorsed two books:

The Case of the Missing Identity by Debbie Sprinkle

A Fifth of the Story by Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes

 

That is a combination of my reading and writing habits. I’d like to hear about yours.

 

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. 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, the Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn 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 and would love to connect with readers via the links below.