Brilliant

For Writers

The Art of Procrastination

Some days writing is the last thing I want to do. Whenever I’m in the mood to reorganize a closet or refold my husband’s T-shirts, I take it as a sign I’m supposed to be writing. Pretty crazy to avoid my passion, huh? Not that I don’t get great ideas and conjure up unusual words and sentences while executing the mundane...

Genre Happenings

Men and Amish Fiction

In 2009 I was asked by my agent to consider writing a work of Amish fiction. My concern was that I would write about the Amish as real people with real-life struggles and real faith concerns. I did not want to glamorize them or paint a fantasy in words that made them figures out of a fairy tale.

DiAnn Direct

Writing Witty Dialogue

Readers devour dialogue. They want to hear what the characters have to say and how they say it. They want to learn about the characters’ problems, the plot, and all the exciting twists and turns of the story. This month is Part I of a two-part series on writing dialogue that sparkles.

The Well Writer

Heart Rhythms

It’s February! And that brings all things related to the heart to the forefront of our minds as we think of our loved ones, especially those we are engaged to marry; our spouses of one day, one year, or sixty-plus years; and anyone in our lives who is special. Love is in the air, and Cupid is shooting arrows of romance around the world.

Author By Night

I chuckled when I saw the name of this column: “Author by Night.” I’m a public relations professional by day, five days a week, sometimes six or seven. I have two semi-adult children living in my house, along with three cats and a tank full of fish, and a husband who would occasionally like to be the focus of my undivided attention. So, I’m really an author by whenever-I-can-slap-two-minutes-together.