A
Writer’s Passion
How can a writer
expect readers to be excited about a novel unless the writer feels the same
passion? Does enthusiasm for story mean having passion for every word?
Absolutely!
Every grueling step of the process must be met with a committed spirit. Passion
for Firewall
kept
me spellbound, as though the world around me had
stopped while I wrote the novel.
Research
captured me with intrigue and emotion. Firewall challenged
me in discovering the life of a software developer and the life of an FBI
special agent. At times I wanted to quit when terminology and protocol went
beyond my understanding.
Passion for
my characters motivated me to deepen characterization and establish backstory
to support their actions. The thrill of story meant discovering the strengths,
weaknesses, triumphs, failures and challenges of every point of view character.
Some of the psychological aspects forced me to venture into dark areas of the villain’s life, in places I didn’t want to be.
Passion for
my home city Houston helped me choose settings that were antagonistic to the
hero and heroine. Those challenges helped my characters grow and change into
better people while solving problems.
Passion for
each scene stretched me to write realistic dialogue. The goal of what my
characters said used body language, specific word choices, and appropriate
emotion unique to the character.
Passion for
the story urged me to make unpredictable twists and turns in a plot that showed
a woman who’d
been stalked because of her ability to develop software with a unique firewall
protection and the FBI agent who believed she was innocent of a terrible
tragedy.
What about
you? Are
you passionate about your profession? What draws your interest in your
day-to-day activities. Leave me a comment and your name will be placed in a
random drawing for a personalized copy of Survivor.
DiAnn Mills
Author Bio:
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling
author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She currently has
more than fifty-five 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, Faith, Hope & Love, Advanced
Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She
speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn is also a Craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers
Guild and is the 2014 president of RWA’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter.
She and her husband live in
sunny Houston, Texas.
Website: www.diannmills.com
Enter for a chance to win a copy of Firewall by DiAnn Mills! Giveaway is open internationally! Winner can choose either a print or eBook copy. Ends 7/24.
How to enter: Sign into the Giveaway Tools form below (it might take a moment to load) and submit each entry you complete. Commenting alone will not get you entered – you must click enter on the form. Happy entering!
Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Giveaway Tools and announced here as well as emailed and will have up to one week to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Giveaway Tools or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. I am not responsible for any packages lost or damaged in the mail. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Giveaway Tools and announced here as well as emailed and will have up to one week to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Giveaway Tools or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. I am not responsible for any packages lost or damaged in the mail. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
I'm in the very beginning of my career development so I would not say I entirely enjoy my everyday activities. However, learning new experiences is the only way I thrive for a better future, and I hope I'd end up doing my favorite job in the near future.
ReplyDeleteExcellent!I feel a writer must be committed to the story for there to be a story to be told. Mary
ReplyDeleteI like the DiAnn Mills books I have read. This looks like another good one.
ReplyDeleteI love this blog and I love to read. Reading is what I'm passionate about. I would love to win a copy of Firewall.
ReplyDeleteI love your books, DiAnn! Once I get started it's hard to put down and I would love to win this book, because it sounds SO exciting. Thanks for this wonderful chance to win.
ReplyDeleteDebbie Lester
Hi Diane, I probably have a few things that I am passionate about but I have always loved to read. That passion led me into the fun world of book blogging about three and a half years ago. I know from reading your books, and the fact that they keep me up missing sleep, that you are passionate about your writing. Thanks for the interview. It was great to learn a little more about you! Blessings ~ Anne
ReplyDeleteI am a recently retired librarian but I don't think librarians ever truly retire! I am constantly reading reviews and considering what would be a good selection for our public library. A life-long love of reading doesn't hurt either!.
ReplyDeleteThank you and blessings!
Connie Saunders
cps1950@gmail.com
On most days I am passionate about my profession although at this time of year the urge to get away from the desk and get outside is pretty strong too. I really enjoy the educational aspects of what I do. I find I learn new things all the time. Thanks
ReplyDeleteYes i am. I'm still at university but i do work in my field of study. i love helping people and being a pharmacist makes it possible to assist and advise patients. I would also think that everything we do, according to the word of God, should ultimately bring Him glory. So even through studying or any other activity i do on a daily basis, i try to do it the best of my ability and really just give it my all. I mean, if God gave us the passion and ability to do certain things, then hey, why not use it to bring Him Glory and give Him praise.
ReplyDeleteI'm passionate about my Mary Kay business. I love seeing how women care for each other and work hard to make dreams come true. I'm not passionate about my current work though. It's almost robotic in nature.
ReplyDeleteI have always been passionate about my jobs. Right now my job is housewife. I love making healthy meals for my hubby. One job that I had many years ago my boss told me I took my job too seriously. I was working with legal documents in the country courthouse.
ReplyDeleteI currently work from home doing what I love. I couldn't imagine going to work somewhere where I wasn't doing something I love....Passion is a must for me in my job!
ReplyDeleteI am a HUGE fan of DiAnn's books, especially her Call of Duty series! Thanks for this fantastic interview. I am so excited to get my hands on Firewall. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a full time college student so I don't have a "profession" quite yet. I also am not sure what to do with my life...maybe a teacher or librarian! I am passionate about reading, writing, kids, and baking but mostly, I just want to bless and help those around me!
It has been a while since I read a book by this author. This book sounds like one I would have a hard time putting down. Jnut
ReplyDeleteWe can't do anything well in this life without a passion for what we are doing!
ReplyDeleteI just had a baby girl July 4th and I have a very strong passion about loving and raising her to love the Lord just as I and her Father do!!!
ReplyDeleteSharon Richmond Bryant
Conway,SC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
I am an educator and I would say that I am pretty passionate about it. I work in early childhood currently and I wish that more people would recognize the important work that we do.
ReplyDeleteI also love giggling with my son each day and pursuing artistic endeavors.
I am a stay at home mom first and a Pampered chef consultant. I love my husband and girls. And am so passionate about them. And I love our products.
ReplyDeleteI'm retired but passionate about life! I love time with my husband, children, grandchildren and church family. I want to make the most of each day for the Lord.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I totally have a newfound respect for writers!! Not that I didn't before because if I liked an author's books, that was that. However, just the fact of HOW you came to write Firewall is very interesting. I didn't realize how much thought, effort, passion and determination goes into it. Helps me to realize what I'd be facing should I choose to write a book. It's definitely encouragement for me in my own life, even if being an author isn't something God has for me.
ReplyDeleteWe own our own business. I am passionate about making it run like clockwork.
ReplyDeleteAs a homemaker, I adore my two little rescue Bichon pups, enjoy my retired husband's company, and embrace my hobbies. My passion surrounds sharing what God has done in my life over the years to bring hope and healing to women who may be in despair, depression, and in pain. I love to speak to groups or individuals. I love my adult children and create space for them in my life, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this book giveaway opportunity!
Would love to win a copy - thanks for the chance!! truckrredford (at)gmail (Dot)com
ReplyDeleteI am a translator both in my day job and also my side job as a freelancer for several publishers here in my country. I'm very passionate about both of them. Translating is my long time passion since college and I'm glad I could even make money doing it LOL
ReplyDeleteI definitely enjoy my day job. Of course, some days are better than others, but overall, it's a great fit for me. Even though I love what I do, I treasure time with my family and time reading. I've read one of Diann's books and really enjoyed it. Would love to win!
ReplyDeleteStaci
I was passionate about my career as a mother of 5. Then the nest was empty. I was passionate about being involved in the Christian school movement and have been involved for over 35 years. That is winding down and will soon be ended for me. Passionate? I am passionate about anything that God sends my way - being a wife, being a mother, and being involved in Christian education to help shape a World for Christ.
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie...it is Melanie :D
ReplyDeleteI think my passion is driven by my relationship with Jesus. He inspires me to do the work He has set out for me to do. Which includes being a mother, ministering as a Pastor's wife, and writing; All in which I hope magnifies and exalts His Glory!
I enjoy my job most of the time, there are always those times where it sucks, but overall I like it.
ReplyDeleteMy passion is in doing whatever God has given me to do, and doing it to the best of my ability. Whether that is my (for the most part) routine job or serving my family or anything else, I want it all to be for His glory.
ReplyDeleteI am a stay at home mom and yes very passionate about it. I have devoted 30 plus years taking care of my husband and children. Not a day goes by without me worrying, praying or doing everything I can to make their lives better.
ReplyDeleteMy passion is read and the kpop *_*
ReplyDeleteI guess I'd have to say I'm passionate about books. Besides loving to read, I am also my church's librarian and am constantly on the lookout for good books to put in there. Yours are definitely on the shelves! :) Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI guess you could say I'm passionate about my job. I work in an inbound call center and I love it! Thanks for the great post!
ReplyDeleteit's reading
ReplyDeleteI am passionate about my profession, it just come in by nature. I think if you really love what you are doing, everything that you do will just fit right. Like for example in my work in a school, with what I am doing, i don't notice that time is moving, it's because I am enjoying what I am doing. The question reminds me a lot of the movie the three idiots, where it says make your passion your profession. So my advice especially to those who are confuse on what career to take, is just follow where your heart is and everything will just be fine.
ReplyDelete