Monday, January 19, 2009

This Tuesday At The AuthorIsland Tiki Hut - Author Dianne Miley


Today's special guest is author Dianne Miley.

Dianne grew up in northeastern Ohio as the oldest of four children. Growing up, she always loved to write. She began writing poetry in second grade. During high school, she wrote for the yearbook and school paper. Now she flexes her imagination through inspiring tales of romance and mystery. Best of all, she's found a way to share her faith through fictional characters in a fun romance.

In her spare time - ha! - she enjoys gardening, flower arranging, decorating, cooking, baking, and entertaining. She also loves visiting tea rooms and quaint little shops like the ones in Crystal Falls, the fictional town where her series of books is set. See the FUN PAGE on her website for the favorite tea party recipes of one of the characters in the Crystal Falls series. The recipes will change often, so be sure to check back!

Visit Dianne's Website *** Visit Dianne's Myspace *** Get Dianne's Newsletter

Thanks for being our guest today Dianne!


Hello everyone,

I’m so glad my writing journey has brought me here to the Island. Along the way, I’ve learned a few things about writing and about myself. While this is a tough way to make a living, it’s also lots of fun and very rewarding.

Many years ago, I started out with some perfect characters and a small town I loved. But I didn’t have a story. Then I found out I had to make bad things happen to them in order to create “conflict.” I don’t like conflict. Really, who does? Yet once I got started, my poor characters didn’t know what they were in for.

So why did I choose to write inspirational romantic mysteries? I couldn’t choose just one. Kidding! Since I’m a romantic at heart, what more interesting conflict than between a man and a woman? That part came naturally. The same thing happened with the inspiration. Being a Christian is such a huge part of who I am, it came through without my realizing. I actually tried once to write “mainstream.” A critique partner suggested I market it as inspirational. It’s my natural voice, so why fight it?

Writing not only allows me to flex my wild imagination by creating wonderful characters, places, and plots, but I can also share a message of God’s love and forgiveness. In my stories, morals are a standard to live up to, cussing is not allowed, and each story makes it clear that every human being is God’s child and He loves us no matter how badly we mess up. If we only ask Him, God happily forgives us.

With this in mind, don’t be surprised to find some seedy characters in my inspirational romances. Alcoholics, cheaters, and even a stripper might show up. In real life, Christians share the world with unsavory people who can be neighbors, coworkers, or even family members. While moral standards remain paramount in my stories, I write about the real world, and Christians mess up too.

After all, not meeting the goal is what makes an interesting story. Faltering Christians are so much more fascinating… and so much more like me!

Which brings me to another fascination of mine - an intriguing mystery. I love trying to figure out whodunit – whatever it is. When writing my first novel, Lilacs for Laura, the storyline stumbled into a murder. While I certainly didn’t want to make my heroine the murderer, the question of who would be had me spellbound. Mystery is the most captivating part of the writing for me. However, it’s also the most challenging. I have to keep my poker face intact until the end of the book. And in a series, I don’t want the second book to reveal whodunit in the first book – just in case someone hasn’t read that one yet. This can be tricky, but so far I’ve managed.

I hope you’ll take a look at The Crystal Falls Series and let me know what you think. Lilacs for Laura and the sequel, Roses for Rachel, are both available from TheWildRosePress.com. I’m currently revising the next book in the series.

To learn more about me and my writing, please visit my website: http://www.diannemiley.com/. For bi-monthly updates, sign up for my newsletter by emailing me at: Dianne@DianneMiley.com.

Happy Reading and God Bless!

Dianne

My hubby and me on Christmas





23 comments:

  1. Hi Dianne!!!

    Thanks so much for being our special guest today!! I've been very excited to watch your writing career from almost the start and I can't tell you how very happy I am to see your wonderful stories become books that can be enjoyed by all.

    And I can't wait to see what more will come from you!

    DeNita
    AuthorIsland.com

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  2. I loved what you said in your article and I love inspirational romance as well. I look forward to hearing about so many more books that you will write! I look forward to reading them as well. Have a great day!

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  3. Hi Dianne and welcome!

    Thanks for the recipes on the web site, it really adds to the books.

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  4. Hi...I was over at Author Island and they said I should check you out over here. I admit that I've read only a few inspirational books and have enjoyed them. I think I would really like one with a mystery cause I love them too. Best wishes for your writing career.

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  5. Very intresting! I love the cover for Lilacs for Laura.

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  6. Hi Dianne,
    Is Myrtle based on someone you know?

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  7. Hi Dianne! I loved the article. I also love to read inspirational romance and suspense. I haven't read Lilacs for Laura yet, but I did read Roses for Rachel. I enjoyed Roses for Rachel very much. I have never visit a tea room, but I have been to some quaint little shops. You never know what you will find in one of those little shops.

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  8. Hi Dianne. Thank you for the lovely recipes. I'll be telling my youngest daughter about your website. She is getting married in July and is looking for recipes to make her airman. I am very glad you write such inspiring books. There are not enough writers who work in this genre. I'll share my enjoyment of your books with her also. There are not a lot of authors that we both can enjoy but I am happy to say that I'm sure she will also come to love your stories as much as I do.

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  9. Believe it or not, in today's world being a Christian can prove challenging. I think George W. Bush's Christian beliefs caused him to be misjudged in many cases. He simply could not, in good conscience, do some of the things other Presidents did to "be popular." I greatly admire George W. Bush. He had the misfortune to be President during a most-trying of times. For some to even be blaming him for 9/11 is off the wall. Clinton had an opportunity to capture Ben Laden (sp.), but left him free; but everyone forgets about that and the many unsavory acts Clinton committed. Perhaps some are too young to recall that Clinton was even accused of rape and there is no question about how Clinton disgraced the Oval Office. I admire you, too, for openly acknowledging your Christian beliefs. God bless you and your writing!

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  10. Hi Dianne!
    What an interesting combination of ideas to put into a story. I do enjoy a mystery very much and I like the stories where I think I know who did it but I am very wrong.

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  11. Thank you everyone for your sweet comments. I'm so glad some of you are enjoying the recipes. You might want to print them out because I'll be changing them soon. (Time to get those Christmas recipes off there, don't you think?)

    To answer your question, Jane, Myrtle is actually a total figment of my imagination. Thank goodness I don't know anyone like her! I might have to reform her by the end of the Crystal Falls series - but not too soon because she's keeping things lively. I just have fun making someone a little bit evil because in real life I usually try to keep the peace. ;)

    Gladys, I respect George Bush as well. I think he genuinely tried to do what he thought was best for the United States and the world. Hopefully our new President Obama will do the same and do a good job for America.

    Thank you all for reading my blog and commenting. I hope you enjoy the books.

    Happy Inauguration Day!

    :) Dianne

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  12. I haven't read a book of yours yet but it sounds like they are amazing. I think it's great you stick to your personal belief's and standards. Can't wait to read one of them.

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  13. Hey Dianne. Just wanted to drop by and say Hi! Your books are certainly no stranger at Romance eBooks and neither are you. Keep up the good work!

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  14. Hi Dianne.....your Crystal Falls series sounds like some good reading.......congratulations and best wishes for the new year.

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  15. Your Crystal Falls Series sounds like good reading.

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  16. Came from Authorisland, I'm always looking forward to new authors to read.

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  17. Hi Dianne,

    Thanks for posting. I am always looking for new authors to read and thanks to your post about how you write such inspirational stories means I will now be on the lookout to pick up your books.

    Thanks!

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  18. Hi Dianne. So nice to get to know more about you! Thanks for sharing. It is wonderful to see some inspirational stories! I can't believe it but I think this is the first time I have visited the Tiki Hut!

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  19. I am glad I discovered your books--there aren't enough Christian authors out there! I'm looking forward to reading more of your books...

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  20. Hey Dianne,
    Your Crystal Falls Series Sounds like a couple of good reads, I haven't read any of your books before but they sound great and I look forward to reading them both.
    ~Afshan

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  21. Hi, I love gardening and floral arranging, also. Now, if I could just write! I am definitely going to check out your series. Many thanks, Cindi jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  22. Hi Dianne,
    I love your inspirational voice!
    Don't change it or try to hide it!!!
    Hugs
    Darby
    darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

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  23. Thank you all so much for your encouraging words. I'm glad to hear from readers who enjoy inspiration and want to read books with some moral backbone. :) I hope you enjoy the stories as much as I enjoy writing them.

    I'd love to keep in touch with each one of you. Every other month, I send an eNewsletter and I'd like to share it with you. To keep up to date with me and my writing, please let me know if you'd like to receive it.

    Email me at dianne@diannemiley.com to subscribe to the newsletter or just to chat!

    Thank you so much for your warm welcome at the Tiki Hut.

    :) Dianne

    www.diannemiley.com
    Lilacs for Laura/ Roses for Rachel
    Available from www.thewildrosepress.com

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