The Closet Experience by DiAnn Mills

The Closet Experience
DiAnn Mills

Do you grab your readers by the hand and lead them into your character’s closet? Is she messy? What kind of shoes does she buy? Are they worn? What’s her favorite color?If not, you’re making a terrible mistake. Why? How can a reader encounter story without stepping inside the character’s closet?

A writer’s goal is for a reader to experience story vicariously through our characters. That means all of the assigned traits ensure the character comes alive. 

The reader lives her dream through the character

Real.
A friend or a fiend.
The character might greet them at the grocery or at work.
The character refuses to leave the reader’s mind.
Soon, if the writer successfully captures the reader’s imagination . . .
The reader becomes the character.

Now what’s required for the reader to be in that exclusive position? Here are a five ways to ensure your reader has an unforgettable magic carpet ride.
1. The writer creates a character whose motivation and resulting behavior fits backstory and temperament.

2. The writer understands deep POV and slashes through distancing the reader from the character. Through sensory perception that is up close and personal, the schism is eliminated. 

3. Body language, emotions, and dialogue subtexting fit the scene and are accepted as appropriate.

Don't even try to tell me you're loving this.

4. Every word is weighed to assure the reader is personally involved with the character.

5. The writer constantly searches for new ways to deepen the reader’s adventure.

My suggestion is to flip on the light in your character’s closet and invite in your readers. Those special people who read your books will thank you for it! 



DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

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; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.