Someone
recently asked me how I created the eccentric behavioral analyst, Kaely Quinn,
from MIND GAMES. There is a simple answer, but behind that answer, is a story
that I think is worth telling.
Twenty
years ago, I began to seriously consider writing stories. I’d written things in
my youth, mostly poems, until a high school teacher accused me of plagiarism.
If I’d been more secure, I would have realized that her allegation was actually
a compliment. Maybe I actually had some talent. But I didn’t come to that
conclusion. I let her actions crush me. So here I was again, many years later. Should
I give it a go? Or would I just be opening the door to more heartache? I was
aware that beginning this journey would change my life. It would take time from
family and friends. And I had a lot to learn before I even attempted an actual
novel. So I went to God. Was this really what He wanted me to do? I was
serious. Unless He confirmed that this was His will, I wouldn’t start down this
path. I turned my future over to Him and he answered in a big way. No doubt was
left that I was called to write. After His response, surely the first book I
wrote would be a literary success. Uh, no. I had a lot of work ahead of me.
Some victories and a lot of failures.
As
my life became busier and my dreams became bigger, I began to rely more on
myself. Less on God. When I realized my mistake, through my tears, I put my
entire career on the altar, telling God I only wanted to write what He wanted
me to. Not long after that, I had my first contract with a large publisher.
Since then I’ve written over thirty books.
I
can hear you asking, “Did you continue to lean on God? Did you keep your career on that
altar?” I would like to say yes, but I can’t. The busier I got, the more
responsibility I took on. Regardless, God always brought me through. I really have
no idea how He did it. I’d put myself in an impossible situation, at one time
working with three publishers. But He never walked away. Never deserted me. The
impossible became possible.
Then
came the day when I’d had enough. I was working constantly. Weekends, holidays…every
single day. I was missing time with my husband, my kids and my grandkids.
Something had to give. So once again I came to that altar. This time I cried
out for help. Guidance. He gave it to me. I brought my daughter-in-law in to
help me with one publisher, and I went to the other publisher and asked for
more time. (That happened more than once.) But now life was headed in a better
direction. And I was ready for a new series. I’d always had a desire to write
about FBI profilers. I’d read about profiling for years. But I didn’t know
anything about the FBI. Surely that dream was out of my reach.
But
God…
So
back to how I came up with the character of Kaely Quinn? God brought her to me
in a dream. I saw her sitting at a table. The first line of a book came to me.
And then she began to profile criminals who weren’t really there.
I
was so excited I called my editor. I knew I might sound insane, but I was
convinced I’d heard from God. I really wanted to write about this character. My
wonderful editor listened and asked me to send her my ideas for the first three
books. Ideas? I didn’t have any. It took some work, but I finally came up with something.
Now, what to do about my lack of knowledge in regards to the FBI? My agent told
me to contact another author who writes about the FBI. I did. And she hooked me
up with a friend of hers. A retired FBI Behavioral Analyst. In other words…a
profiler.
God
already had everything I needed in place. And MIND GAMES was born.
If
you have a dream, I pray you’ll put it on the altar. Let God confirm that this
dream is something He put in your heart. And then…relax. Trust God to bring it
to pass. Don’t make my mistakes. The truth is, you can’t do it alone. Let Him
carry the heavy stuff. Enjoy the journey knowing you’re not responsible for the
outcome. God is searching for those who will allow Him to show Himself strong.
Be
one of those people.
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