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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

DIANN MILLS - FBI FIREARMS DAY!


Award-winning author DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn’s first book was published in 1998. She currently has more than fifty books published.
 
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won placements through the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Carol Awards and Inspirational Reader’s Choice awards. DiAnn won the Christy Award in 2010 and 2011.
 
DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also the Craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild.
 
She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. Visit her website at: www.diannmills.com
 
 
FBI FIREARMS DAY!
 
As part of the FBI Houston Citizens Academy, I spent four hours at the shooting range for Firearms Day. This wasn’t a restricted area so we could bring our cell phones, laptops, cameras, and a guest for a series of events. I chose my husband. I was sooooo excited.

The morning of the event brimmed cool and crisp, fueling my enthusiasm. Coffee was brewed when we arrived, warming my insides and dripping adrenaline to my already hyper body. I posed for hubby in front of this daunting hummer, then I stepped inside to take a look. I closed my eyes and that’s when the first story idea dumped into my brain.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A tour of FBI Mobile Command Center reminded me of a movie scene. All the buttons and gadgets and screens reminded me of Christmas lights. Wow ... modern technology showed me the bad guys don’t have a chance when the FBI is on the move.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We wore ear muffs during a live SWAT demonstration. The team didn’t look like anyone I’d want to tackle! In a powerful countdown, a team blew up a mock house (training facility) and apprehended the bad guys. We watched it all on a huge screen. Once the smoke cleared, and it was thick, we toured the area. The SWAT teams’ helpfulness and explanations of the how and why of their procedures added more story ideas.

The shooting range was next. I trembledlike a “little girl,” I’d never fired a weapon before and everyone in my group would see how inept this suspense writer. I drew in a deep breath and realized I’d now be able to write authentically about firearms. The weapons are heavy but the instructors were fabulous. My personal instructor seemed to know the challenges of a small person like me. But I did it and didn’t embarrass myself too badly. Husband, however, showed me up big time ... I’m finally over it.

 One of the most exciting events of the day was FBI simulation training. Yep, exactly like recruits in training. A wall-sized screen showed a crime in progress. Each one of us were given an opportunity to assume the role of an agent and respond accordingly with our weapons. That event was my favorite, especially when my response and shooting skills brought me out of humiliation mode from the shooting range. And the experience for future novels fueled my determination.


 
I already had tremendous respect and admiration for the FBI and others committed to law enforcement, and the experience at Firearm’s Day reinforced the danger.

If had a life do-over, I’d definitely be an FBI Special Agent! What about you? What profession excites you? I want to hear your dreams - and goals. Leave a comment and you’ll be entered in a drawing for a personalized copy of The Survivor!

 www.diannmills.com

 

20 comments:

  1. Obviously writing excites me, mostly because you get to learn so much as you write your book. I am also greatly intrigued by government agencies like the FBI, CIA, and DHS. I tend to incorporate them into my novels a lot. I would love to do a civilian FBI day. It sounds like so much fun! I hope to one day soon.

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  2. This is a book I'd like to win.
    Thanks Diann
    Carolyn Jefferson
    carolynj63@att.net

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  3. I always wanted to be a Spy or in Law Enforcement. I think that is what draws me to the Christian Suspense genre. I would love to go through a day that you just described. I think I would really enjoy it.
    Sarah - sarahpianist@gmail.com

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  4. I think I would like to test the waters in forensics. I have always loved solving a good puzzle :)

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  5. I went into nursing, and spent most of my time in ER, then ICU. Always wished that I'd gone into some kind of law enforcement, esp. FBI. Maybe that's why I love books involving law enforcement... Carole Binder

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  6. When I went to college, I majored in English. I was headed for law school! I decided to work for a law firm and "test" that theory first. Ended up being a legal recruiter (didn't know they existed!) and stuck with that until my kids were born and loved it - never went on to law school! Course I worked for a huge law firm. My first love, however, was history. I love history, then and now, so I would have loved to have done something in that area.

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  7. Oh WOW!!!! What an exciting experience for you.

    Your new book sounds really good, and I would absolutely love to win it!

    pickles_and_co at yahoo dot com

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  8. That sounds awesome.
    I just finished Breach of Trust and have the next two in that series ready to read. I've already put my bookmark in the second one. :)
    Being a spy has always fascinated me and I really enjoy books on CIA agents. So maybe if I had a do-over, I would try for that career. Maybe. :)
    I know it's a long shot, but I would love to win The Survivor. Regardless of whether I do or not, I'm going to read it as soon as I get my hands on it.
    pbmax101@yahoo.com

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  9. Can't wait to read this book! Thanks for a chance to win.

    superstarsarah94(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. I grew up with Nancy Drew books so I've always wanted to be a private detective. Being a spy also intrigues me and I have always been drawn to writing. Love your books, especially the suspense titles.

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  11. I love to see new places & would be a travel agent if I was younger & more physically fit. Thanks for the opportunity to win a book!

    bonnieroof60@yahoo.com

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  12. Too cool, DiAnn! I have another goal in life now--to participate in one of these events.

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  13. Great post and great pictures! I wonder what kinds of situations bring that big hummer out of the garage.

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  14. If I could do it over I would run an orphanage in Africa :)
    Lisa
    deiselbuffs@yahoo.ca

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  15. If I were to do it over, I think I would be a veternarian probably just for cats.
    Martha T. @crprairie1 at imonmail dot com.

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  16. I got to do some of that as a police officer and sheriff's deputy. I'd like to go back and do some more of the deputy work. That was some of the best times. I was a lot younger then too.

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  17. This sounds so exciting & what a wonderful opportunity for you and your writing! If I had a do-over (or who knows, maybe could still happen) I would love to be a travel agent and travel writer. The past 5 years, I have gotten the wonderful opportunity to follow my husbad around to many interesting places through out the world, and I LOVE sharing my experiences w/ my friends & family on FB. I would LOVE to be able to write a book...or more, about someone as they "travel the world". I'm assuming that this contest is already over, but if it is not, I would LOVE to win one of your books (e-book preferred, since I travel so much) FYI--next fun adventure for us will be Milan, Italy--so excited!
    Vicki
    vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  18. H L Wegley is the winner of a personalized copy of The Survivor. What great stories! Thanks all of you for participating. Sorry this is late; I've been out of the country. You are the best!

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