DiAnn Mills

One person I enjoyed meeting very much is author DiAnn Mills. She is such a sweet, funny, and generous person that it is difficult not to like her right away.

With approximately 60 books, numerous short stories, and more published she remains a talented author, yet she spends a great deal of time with writers groups and organizations mentoring others.

After our visit, Southern Writer's magazine published a portion of the interview in the July 2014 edition. I was so excited that she made the cover of that issue, not because I had written anything wonderful, but because she is such an inspiration to others.

Here are just five of the questions she answered:

I understand you are a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. You serve as a mentor to writers, speak to various groups, and teach writing workshops around the country. You are also the Craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. How do you balance all of these jobs? I'm laughing, because the list sounds like I'm a superhero. I wish! My time is prioritized and scheduled. I write in the mornings, and tend to other things on my list in the afternoons and evenings. I also have a daily word count, and if I don't complete it in the mornings, then I need to find time to finish.

What is your daily word count? 2200 – 2500 words.

Are you a member of any other clubs/organizations, or do you hold any other jobs/positions? Just writing organizations. (Sylvia, I'm running for president for FHL - Faith, Hope, and Love group of RWA. The election is October 31.)

How do you keep your focus and stay centered on the Lord? I begin each day with a quiet time and prayer. I write and mentor for an audience of One. I don't mean to sound pious, because I'm not! But when I'm overwhelmed; frustrated when something's not working right; or simply jealous of another writer, I have to remember who's the Boss.

Why do you continue to serve as a mentor to others when you could be focusing more on your own career? Mentoring is a part of my ministry. I have this deep need to help others reach for their writing goals. Whatever I learn, no matter how insignificant, I want to pass it on to a serious writer who's willing to sacrifice in time and effort to perfect his/her craft. 

If you'd like to learn more, you can order a back issue of that magazine, or visit DiAnn through her website: http://www.diannmills.com/