By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Our mothers are notorious for passing out advice about life. Sometimes their guidelines are appreciated and sometimes not so much. The older we grow, the smarter our mothers become. Quotes from mothers play an inspiring role in the lives of writers.
“My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.” Mark Twain
How much of Mark Twain was in Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn? Did he attempt to take a raft down the Mississippi? Escape from painting a fence? Fall in love with a pretty little girl named Becky?
“I got to grow up with a mother who taught me to believe in me.”
Antonio Villaraigosa
Mothers desire their children to become a productive member of society. When they believe in us and our aspirations, we become superheroes—at least in their eyes. Thanks, Mom!
“Mothers are all slightly insane. ” J.D. Salinger
That’s probably 90% spot-on for mothers of writers. Where else would we inherit the genes that lead to creativity? We look at life a little skewed, and then we’re thrilled with the words to describe it. Sprinkle sensory perception onto the page with strong nouns and verbs, and the writer has penned a crazy adventure.
“That strong mother doesn’t tell her cub, Son, stay weak so the wolves can get you. She says, Toughen up, this is reality we are living in.” Lauryn Hill
A wise mother provides guidance for her children to accept the hard knocks of life, like rejections, bad reviews, low advances, and publishing house changes. Toughen up! Hey Mom, no wolf is going to eat me!
“My mother taught me about the power of inspiration and courage, and she did it with a strength and a passion that I wish could be bottled.” Carly Fiorina
Every writer needs a cheerleader, and who does it best but a mother? Writers need self-confidence to stand up under the pressures of an often hectic writing scheduled. When a writer slips in the confidence arena, her work suffers until she snatches courage and gains her momentum. Go Mom!
“My mother used to spank me for lying. Now I get paid for it. “ DiAnn Mills
Yep, this is mine, and it’s true. Of course when I published my first book, she purchased a new bookcase and challenged me to fill it up. And I have. My stories aren’t driven by filling up Mom’s shelves, but it does offer a good chuckle.
Mothers are an asset to writers. They take up for us at family reunions when well-meaning relatives ask why we don’t have a day job. They read our stories and tell everyone about our incredible talent. They pass our books among their friends and offer bookmarks. But most of all, mothers love us and that’s the best news of all.
What did your mother tell you about writing?
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an 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. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson. She teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.
The Conversation
Hi DiAnn, Thank you for sharing. My mother did not teach me about writing. I’m fine with that. I will, however, teach my son. We learn together. We are writing our first fiction book. He has brilliant ideas and I want to capture them.
Hi Cherrilynn, Yes, we want to pass on the knowledge. My granddaughter and I just finished a fantasy middle-grade novel.
My mother encouraged me to write thank you notes. She also shared with me the beautiful script of her grandmother’s writing in an old letter. That’s about all I recall that my mother had to share with me on writing.
Hi Janice, But she left you a beautiful legacy – and a sweet reminder.
I love this, DiAnn! And your quote is the best one of all!
Thanks Vonda!
DiAnn, Like Cherrilynn, my mother didn’t teach me about writing. But she and my father taught me about life–like, “Your word is your bond” (no copyright on that), “Hard work brings rewards” (I got lots of “We expected no less” when I did something good), and “God is in control.” I’ve replayed these tapes in my head many times, and they have served me well in writing…and in life. Thanks for the post.
Hi Richard, My dad taught me hard work pays off and not to give up on my dreams. We are blessed!
I started writing in 3rd grade because I was too shy to open up with people. It was my outlet so I didn’t share it. Don’t know if she even knew I wrote.
As an adult she’s been extremely supportive, but at first, I didn’t take her seriously because I’d say, “You’re supposed to say that. You’re my mom.” But when my students would share similar feelings with me, I’d remind them that they know the two things I don’t tolerate are disrespect and lying so if I said it, I meant. But where did that come from? My parents, of course! So then I reprimanded myself for not taking mom seriously.
So now I listen when she pushes me to do more with my writing. 😊