Q: How long have you been writing and what other careers or jobs have you had?
A. I began full-time writing in 1996, but I’d been a secret writer since I was eight years old. My past jobs and careers … secretarial work until I entered the daycare profession in the late 80s. I directed a daycare and preschool for over ten years. Honestly, if my husband hadn’t challenged me to quit my job and write a book, I wouldn’t have had the determination and guts to ever begin.
Q: Would you tell us about your current book release AIRBORNE?
A: FBI Special Agent Heather Lawrence boards a plane in Houston, Texas for Salzburg, Austria for a much-needed vacation and to make decisions about her future. Her husband has asked for a divorce, and he doesn’t know she’s three months pregnant. Two hours into the flight, several people onboard begin showing evidence of a deadly virus.
Q: Where did you get your inspiration for this story?
A: Tough question! The idea came as a what-if and refused to leave me alone. What if a deadly virus was unleashed onboard a transatlantic flight?
Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
A: My prayer is people will experience God’s presence and unconditional love. He is in control.
Q: How do you choose your settings for your books?
A. Two criteria are important to me in establishing story settings, and it’s all about character.
1. What setting forces my character to change and grow?
2. What setting is most antagonistic to my character?
Q: Do you base your characters on people you know or are they totally made up?
A: Totally made up! When a story idea enters my mind, I want a character who has the most to lose by not reaching the story goal and the most to gain by reaching the story goal.
Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. A woman is released from prison after serving 15 years for a murder she didn’t commit. Her pregnant sister pulled the trigger and convinced the heroine to take the blame. Now someone wants the heroine dead.
Q: If money were no object what vacation would you like to take and why?
A. A two-month tour of England, Scotland, and Wales. I’ve been to Ireland twice, but I wouldn’t mind a return trip there. My ancestry is within these countries, and I have a longing to walk where they once lived. I’d then like to visit France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Switzerland because I’ve never been there.
Q: What is the silliest thing you have ever done?
A. Which one? Probably when I placed my cell phone in the dishwasher. Had a difficult time locating it. Good thing I hadn’t turned the ringer off.
Q: What is the hardest thing you have ever done?
A. Taking a solo trip to Sudan for the purpose of researching two books. A little scary at times, and certainly an experience I’ll never forget.
DIANN MILLS
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol Award contests.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the codirector of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and the Mountainside Novelist Retreat, where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook, Twitter, or any of the social media platforms listed at diannmills.com.
