EVERYONE LOVES A GO-GETTER. JOIN ME IN WELCOMING DIANN!

If you haven't yet met DiAnn Mills, now is your chance.

     Award-winning author DiAnn Mills launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has fifty books in print and has sold 1.5 million copies.

     DiAnn believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” She is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels.

     Six of her titles have appeared on the CBA Bestseller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year Awards 2003 – 2008, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005 and 2007. She was a Christy Awards finalist in 2008.

     DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope and Love, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a mentor for Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer’s Guild.

     She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. They have four adult sons and are active members of Metropolitan Baptist Church.To check out her website readers can go to www.diannmills.com

SKC: Welcome, DiAnn. What a great biography. I’m not certain if I’ve had the joy of having you here at A Pen for Your Thoughts before or not, but I’m anxious to hear about your newest book and what inspired you with this one.

DM: Danika Morales in Sworn to Protect is a Border Patrol Agent in McAllen, Texas. When news about an agent possibly leaking information to those involved in human and drug smuggling into the US, Danika sets out to prove her innocence. As she cautiously searches for who among the ranks could be the rogue, she is threatened. Who can she trust? And the one man who steals her heart could be the man who is trying to kill her.

My adult four sons one had a young man as a baby sitter who has made a career of the Border Patrol. I think keeping my sons in check was probably training ground. I’ve always been interested in the Border Patrol and the dangers involved in their chosen profession.

SKC: True experiences and the interests of our family members are all fantastic recipes for a great or potential book. I agree. How has your Christian background affected the style of writing you do?

DM: My stories have at least one character who solves his/her problems according to their faith. A Christian character reacts and responds to the happenings around him/her with this Christian worldview.

However - What is important to me is not what a Christian character says, but what he/she does to show their faith. Truth is a vital part of my stories.

SKC: I couldn't agree more. I know you stay extremely busy, DiAnn, but how disciplined are you each day with your writing schedule, and if you get off track how do you get back ON track?

DM: I’m disgustingly disciplined. I’m up before dawn, and I stop when my list and word count for the day is finished. I build into my word count for occasions when I need to get off track. Life is interruptions, so I try to be mindful of that!

SKC: A good lesson for all authors and aspiring ones as well. How often do you visit other authors’ blogs, and what do you learn from going about the web? Do you ever get distracted by the web, DiAnn?

DM: I do visit other author’s websites on occasions, but again, I want to be mindful of my time. And I’m part of several email loops. Cruising the web would be a treat after my work is completed. I post to twitter and check facebook early in the morning, then leave those posts alone. Email is the biggest distraction. That takes a huge amount of discipline to limit checking those juicy tidbits to a few times during the day.

SKC: I think every writer would agree with that. Writers go through some particular trials when it comes to their craft. What is one that gets to you the most and how do you deal with it?

DM: I don’t want my characters to be cookie cutters from previous novels. Let me stress that a little more: I refuse for my characters to resemble ones in previous books. Neither do I want to use the same plot angles. I know all of the plots have been written, but when I catch myself using similar circumstances, it infuriates me. If it’s not too late, then I’ll go back and change as much as I can.

SKC: A good point of help to all. What do you think is one of the most important things you have learned so far in your years of living about life since becoming a published writer?

DM: 1. Always be ready to help another sincere writer.

        2. Always give the glory to God

        3. Always make sure the current wip is better written than the previous book.

SDC: Three outstanding points. Now, tell us that one scripture that keeps you going each day. And then, since you are so kind to offer a copy of your book to one of our viewers, what is one of the first questions you want to ask an established writer when you meet them for the first time. Or to gain better understanding of your readers what do you like to ask them when you meet them face to face?

DM: Jeremiah 20:9. But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

Question for reflection to all writers: In meeting a new writer, I want to know where their heart is: how do they view their writing? In other words I want to know their passion for the craft of writing. Is it all about the writer or all about the reader.

Question for reflection to all readers: In meeting a new reader, I want to know what book they read of mine. This opens the door to find out more about them as a person. My goal is to build a relationship that’s steps beyond the page.

SDC: I appreciate your choice of questions and look forward to the answers that come in. It has been a pleasure having you here at A Pen for Your Thoughts, DiAnn. Tell us which book you are planning to share, and then be sure to let us know where we can find you and your books on the web.

DM: My newest release is Sworn to Protect, the 2nd book in the Call of Duty series, published by Tyndale. Release date is April 1, but I should have my books before then.

     Readers can view the book trailer at www.diannmills.com. I’ll be hosting a facebook launch party soon with some great giveaways. And, please consider subscribing to my newsletter!

     Thank you so much, Shirley, for this opportunity to give back to readers. I appreciate you!

THANK YOU TOO DIANN. I'VE HAD A GREAT TIME HAVING YOU HERE.

READERS/WRITERS. Check out the Reflective Questions above, and send in your responses. I look forward to drawing a winner in the next few days! Don't forget to add your e-mail address.

Congratulations to Linda Strawn of California! Be watching for your book and THANKS a million for following A Pen for Your Thoughts!

February brings ROBINS and We Have One Here THIS WEEK!

Join me this new February week with Robin CAROLL!

Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin Caroll is a Southern through and through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others. Robin’s books have placed/finaled in such contests as Bookseller’s Best, Book of the Year, and Reviewer’s Choice Award. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty years, her three beautiful daughters, and their four character-filled pets at home—in the South, where else? An avid reader herself, Robin loves hearing from and chatting with other readers. Although her favorite genre to read is mystery/suspense, of course, she’ll read just about any good story. Except historicals! To learn more about this author of deep South mysteries of suspense to inspire your heart, visit Robin’s website at http://www.robincaroll.com/

SDC: Three or four things about you interested me before we even made plans to do this interview, Robin. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13, the type of books you write—mystery/suspense, and how you were given your lovely name Robin. Before we talk about other things, please tell us why that scripture has become one of your priorities, how you were drawn to your specific genre, and why you were given the name of Robin.

Robin: Thanks for having me. I’ve always been drawn to Philippians 4:13 because I’ve learned over the years that I can do NOTHING except through His power. And with His power, He strengthens me enough to get through anything. Why mystery/suspense? Because that’s what I love to read. I grew up reading Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, and the Hardy Boys before I moved on to Mary Higgins Clark in my late teens. About my name…my mother just liked it. LOL

SDC: I remember some of those well. Tell us about the influence your books and witness have been on your readers.

Robin: I hope that each of my books brings glory and honor to God. Some of the reader mail I’ve received has put me in tears of praise. For instance…one reader wrote me after reading one of my books and thanked me for showing that it was possible to reconcile with God after being angry with Him. It truly blesses me for God to use me in such a way.

SDC: Amen to that. How do you make faith, love, and hope work together in your stories?

Robin: One of the main reasons I write in the inspirational market is because I want readers to have hope when they close my book. I believe, personally, faith is born of love (for God loved us first) and that if you have love and faith, hope comes naturally. I try to weave this fundamental belief of mine into each of my books.

SDC: Ah! You are a weaver too. That's wonderful. Tell us now, if you have more than one publisher, who they are, and who you work with now. How have your publishers helped you with your writing experience?

Robin: This year, I have two books releasing from B&H Publishing—Deliver Us From Evil in February, and Fear No Evil releasing in August. I have one book releasing from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense—Dead Air, March. Each editor I’ve worked with has taught me valuable lessons. It’s truly a blessing to have such insight.

SDC: Besides your scripture about the strength you receive from Christ, what else sustains you each day, Robin?

Robin: My family is an awesome support system for me. My writing friends are beyond wonderful. I can’t imagine writing without either.

SDC: Oh, neither can I. When you are not writing, where is your favorite place to go and why? Does it often play any part in your later story writing?

Robin: I’m a homebody…prefer to be at home rather than out and about. Something about being curled up with a good book in my recliner in front of the fire is more appealing to me than a night on the town.

SDC: Sounds so good! Have you ever considered writing about a character who leaves the United States and goes elsewhere to find his or her loved one? (Or do you already have a book like that that I have missed?)

Robin: Actually, I have considered it, but for now, I’m content to write about the states as there are so many interesting settings right here, close to home.

SDC: When I am not writing, I am usually preparing for a Bible Study I teach to women each week, or else I’m working back and forth with critique partners, along with other things. Do you attend women’s bible studies of any kind? And does your interaction with others give you creativity with your writing imagination? And also what books do you read that have helped you that you would suggest for others?

Robin: I actually am attending a “Faith Group” study right now, which is co-ed at our church, and enjoy that format tremendously. One of the best Bible Studies for writers that I’ve found is WRITE HIS ANSWER.

SDC: I'll have to check that out. I understand you have two books you would like to share with one of our readers. That’s awesome. Please tell us, Robin, all about them both. And then we would like you to think of a question that the readers can reflect upon to answer. It could be about writing, reading, the Lord, or whatever. Thanks so much. (Although I draw the name at random, I still enjoy hearing the thoughts of others as I select the winners.)

Robin: The two books I’m giving away are “DEAD AIR” and “DELIVER US FROM EVIL” Let’s see….a question. Hmm. Okay, here’s one I always like to read the answer for….if you could have walked beside anyone in the Bible, besides Christ, who would it be and why?

SDC: Ah, that is a great question. Thanks. Thank you so much for being with us here at A Pen for Your Thoughts, Robin. It’s been a real pleasure having you here. Thanks for having me. It’s been a pleasure.

READERS: Be sure to answer Robin’s thoughtful question above to try to win a copy of her books! We will be selecting two winners this week.

Woo Hoo! We have our winners! Congratulations to Julie Lessman of Missouri and to Edna Tollison of South Carolina! Each of you have one one copy of Robin Caroll's book.  Thank you BOTH for following A Pen for Your Thoughts!