By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

This year is a milestone for me in the publishing world: 25 years of publishing. I’d like to say I was just a mere child when I began, and although I write fiction, that’s not the case.

Not much can beat the rewards of seeing my name on a book; personalizing a reader’s copy with Expect an Adventure, or the satisfaction of helping other writers improve their craft. I learned it’s not about me but about readers and other writers. I found it’s also critical to continuously deepen my awareness and skills of all that’s involved with the publishing industry.

But I do have regrets.

By passing on my publishing pitfalls, I hope you will learn from my disappointments and reach your goals sooner. The following are 11 regrets, and I’m sure there are more!

I wish I had—

1. Started taking writing seriously at a younger age. My first book was written on a Big Chief yellow notebook pad when I was in the second grade. I have no idea what happened to it, but my guess is I tossed it in the trash.
2. Refrained from throwing away everything I wrote from the second grade until my youngest son was a junior in high school.
3. Grasped the confidence and encouragement to believe in a gift only God could give.
4. Sought professional feedback long before my first book sailed into an editor’s hands.
5. Devised a social media platform that focused on helping others. However, when I began writing, social media platforms weren’t in place.
6. Read more. I’m a voracious reader, but I wish I’d spread my attention across more genres.
7. Learned book marketing and promotion before my first book was released.
8. Paid more attention to English and grammar in school.
9. Developed a tough skin in the face of rejections.
10. Prayed more about my writing for wisdom and guidance, and then listened.
11. Ignored family and friends who said I didn’t have what it took to be a writer. Unfortunately, I believed them for many years.

Those are the biggies, and I eliminated, although funny, the repeated requests to sit on my husband’s lap every Monday when I asked him if I could quit. He always said no. 😊 I wish all of you a spouse or friend who are your nightmare editor and best cheerleader. My husband does that for me, and we are a team.

Instead of sharing a writing regret, share something that is encouraging to all writers.

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