By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

I believe a writer’s number one purpose in creating a story is to entertain the reader. Following that task is to inspire a reader to attempt what they may believe is impossible. The reader follows how the protagonist overcame obstacles to reach a goal or solve a problem. My third purpose is to encourage the reader in whatever life has presented them.

A writer who strives to entertain, inspire, and encourage moves the reader emotionally with an unforgettable message. The result is an incredible story that thrives on spirit. Creating a message for the reader is not a bandwagon of personal, mental, or spiritual agendas. Instead, it’s a takeaway message that I hope readers discover as they journey with my protagonist(s) through one challenge after another ultimately achieving victory.

How does a writer weave a message into their story? I don’t believe achieving the spirit of a novel happens with a focus on a single literary technique: story idea, goal, theme, setting, dialogue, emotion, point of view, symbolism, or characterization. Instead, the message subtly breathes life through every word and pumps life into the story.

My caution is not to state the message. Inserting “Did you get this? Or The message of the story is . . .”  tells instead of shows and insults the reader by shoving aside the character’s POV. The person didn’t read our book to hear our opinion about a matter; they read the book to engage in an adventure. Allow the reader to grasp the message for themselves, and if they don’t discover it, that’s okay. A writer is responsible for their craft, not the reader’s response.

Example: A woman is abducted during a bank robbery by two masked people. She is collateral, the thieves’ insurance for a safe getaway. The woman fears she will be killed, but she refuses to show her terror or weakness in the face of adversity until circumstances (plot) find her successful in escaping a death sentence. How the woman internalizes, behaves, communicates, and ultimately links hands with freedom is the story’s message.

She may pray.

She may face fear.

She may speak boldly.

She may create a plan.

She may say nothing at all.

She may linger on potentially never seeing loved ones again.

Every story technique mentioned previously must be in character. I encourage you to weave an unforgettable message by showing a heroine who is capable of much more than she ever dreamed possible.

How do you develop a story message for your novels?

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, the Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn 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, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn. or her website: diannmills.com