Influencers: DiAnn Mills

More perusings from the book case.

No listing of authors who have influenced me the most would be complete without DiAnn Mills. Author of over 50 novels in historical, romance, and suspense (and, sometimes a combination of all three), DiAnn always provides exciting plots and interesting characters who draw me into the story and keep me turning pages to find out what happens next. Her detailed research gives her stories a realism that puts you in the saddle or riding with the Border Patrol or the FBI. And she beautifully weaves her characters’ Christian world view into the tale without preaching or evangelizing the reader. Being Christian and struggling with their Christianity at times makes her characters real, people I can identify with and root for.

For writers, DiAnn’s books are lessons in how to create exciting plots and vivid settings. Study her dialogue to see how to give each character a distinctive voice. She is excellent at incorporating back story and character motivation into ongoing action. She’s one of those authors I tend to read twice. Once for the enjoyment of the story and the second time to study how she did it.

I have the honor to call DiAnn my friend and my mentor. With three simple words, she changed my writing life, and opened the door to the pathway to publication. Those simple words? “Get up earlier.” Following this advice led to making the time to write which led to finishing Journey to Riverbend and seeing it published.

How about you? Which authors have had the greatest influence on you?