If you shop through my Amazon link for anything, I'll earn a small percentage. Thank you so much. :) Christian Books and Bibles

Thursday, July 10, 2014

A Writer's Passion ~ Guest Post & Giveaway by DiAnn Mills

A Writers 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 villains life, in places I didnt 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 whod 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.
          

  Passion for Firewall kept me awake at night, wording and rewording scenes while striving to make this the best novel Id ever written.
            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.





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.            

35 comments:

  1. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Excellent!I feel a writer must be committed to the story for there to be a story to be told. Mary

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like the DiAnn Mills books I have read. This looks like another good one.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this blog and I love to read. Reading is what I'm passionate about. I would love to win a copy of Firewall.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I 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.
    Debbie Lester

    ReplyDelete
  6. 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

    ReplyDelete
  7. I 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!.
    Thank you and blessings!
    Connie Saunders
    cps1950@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. 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

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yes 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.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'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.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I 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.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I 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!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I 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. :)

    I'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!

    ReplyDelete
  14. 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

    ReplyDelete
  15. We can't do anything well in this life without a passion for what we are doing!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sharon Richmond BryantJuly 11, 2014 at 2:37 PM

    I 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!!!
    Sharon Richmond Bryant
    Conway,SC.
    sharonruth126@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. 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.

    I also love giggling with my son each day and pursuing artistic endeavors.

    ReplyDelete
  18. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'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.

    ReplyDelete
  20. WOW! 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.

    ReplyDelete
  21. We own our own business. I am passionate about making it run like clockwork.

    ReplyDelete
  22. As 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.
    Thank you for this book giveaway opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Would love to win a copy - thanks for the chance!! truckrredford (at)gmail (Dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I 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

    ReplyDelete
  25. I 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!

    Staci

    ReplyDelete
  26. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Melanie...it is Melanie :D
    I 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!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I enjoy my job most of the time, there are always those times where it sucks, but overall I like it.

    ReplyDelete
  29. My 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.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I 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.

    ReplyDelete
  31. My passion is read and the kpop *_*

    ReplyDelete
  32. I 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!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I 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!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I 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

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment - I love reading them! Comments are moderated and I reserve the right to not publish any comment that I find to be offensive (i.e. foul language, inappropriate content, etc.) or spam.

Thanks for stopping by and for commenting! =)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ~ Philippians 4:8

Some of the links in my blog posts, tweets, social media posts, etc. contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.
Powered by Blogger.