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Wednesday, February 19, 2020

QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS!


I wasn’t sure what to write about today so I decided to ask my Facebook friends if they had any questions for me. Boy, they came through big time! I’ll tackle a few of them today and save the rest for future posts.

Here goes!

Sue asked: “When did you realize you were a writer?”

Great question, Sue. I was working at a bank in Wichita, Kansas. I’d lost my dream job, the thing I thought I’d been called to do, and was pretty discouraged. I had no goals. No idea of what to do next. I’d been very blessed at the bank, but I knew this wasn’t the way I wanted to spend my life. I’d been watching “Murder, She Wrote”and kept thinking I’d really like to be Jessica Fletcher. (Without the high body count. LOL!) I loved reading, especially mysteries. So one day, during my lunch hour, I decided to see if I could write a novel. I started out with Chapter One, but by the third page, I was convinced this wasn’t for me. This was too hard! I couldn’t figure out what to write about, and getting the words down was almost painful. I’d decided to stop, delete what I’d written, and try to find something else to do with the rest of my life. But a little voice inside me told me to try one more time. So, I did. This time when I put my fingers on the keyboard, they began to fly. The words and ideas poured out and that has never stopped. Although I still had a lot to learn about the craft, I knew that day that I was a writer!

Pam asked: “How in the world did you come up with Kaely Quinn and her quirky profiling methods?”

I actually dreamt about her, Pam. This had never happened to me before (or since) but in my dream this female FBI profiler was sitting at a table. No one sat across from her. Then she began to profile an UNSUB (unknown subject). As she talked, a figure began to form in the chair across from her. Finally, someone sat there. The profiler had figured out exactly who they were looking for. Then the dream ended.

I was so excited the next morning I called my editor at Bethany House and told her about the dream. She gave me the go ahead to write about my unusual profiler. And so, MIND GAMES, FIRE STORM, and DEAD END were born.

I’m hoping God will drop another great character into my head sometime. I love Kaely.

Melissa asked: “Why don’t more authors include people with disabilities in their books?”

I can’t speak for other authors, but I hear you. Actually, I’ve created several characters with disabilities. In SIMPLE DECEIT I have a young man with Down Syndrome. I named him Drew. After the book was released, I heard from a young lady whose brother had this same diagnosis. And his name was Drew! She even sent me a picture of Drew. That really blessed me. I’ve also included several characters with disabilities into several of my Guideposts books.

But…I’m taking this as a nudge to make sure I continue to add different kinds of characters. That includes other ethnicities and those with disabilities. Our writing should reflect real life as much as is possible, shouldn’t it?

Jennifer asked: “Death, murder, crimes (especially against a person) can sometimes be hard to read. Have you ever had hard time writing about a specific crime or researching it? Have you ever had an idea for a crime that after you researched it, you changed your mind?”

Yes, sometimes it’s very difficult. The truth is most serial killers are motivated by sexual urges. These urges are usually satisfied in very perverted and disturbing ways. I don’t include this in my books. As much as I can, I try to present the crimes committed in my stories in a way that won’t upset readers. I try to focus on solving the crime and catching the bad guy. Not the crimes themselves. Murder mysteries and suspense novels are a struggle between good and evil and I like that. Although I try to keep readers on the edge of their seats, I don’t want to give them nightmares!

One other thing: In my books, children and animals are off limits. I won’t write or read mystery or suspense novels if a child or a pet is harmed.  

That’s it for now. I’ll come back with more of these questions in later posts. If I answered your question, send me a private message with your address. When DEAD END comes out, I’ll send you a copy.


I’ll also pick someone who comments below and send them a copy of DEAD END! Be sure to include your contact information. If I don’t know how to find you I can’t mail you a book!

God bless you all!





 



 
Nancy Mehl is a USA Today best-selling author. She’s been a finalist for the Carol Award twice and won the award once. She was also a finalist for two Reviewers’ Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews and was a finalist for the coveted Christy Award.
She lives in Missouri with her husband, Norman, and her Puggle, Watson. She’s authored almost forty books and is currently working on a new series for Bethany House about an FBI profiler working with the FBI's prestigious BAU.

Her newest book, FIRE STORM, book two in her Kaely Quinn Profiler series, is now available. Book three, DEAD END, will be released in March. Also look for her books in The Mysteries of Lancaster County series (Guideposts) – co-written with her daughter-in-law, Shaen Layle.
 

Readers can learn more about Nancy through her Web site: www.nancymehl.com. She is part of The Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com, along with several other popular suspense authors. She is also very active on Facebook.

 


70 comments:

  1. Love the way you write.
    onorman at wilkes dot

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  2. I always enjoy your books. rackylemaire at Gmail.com

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  3. Little did you know Nancy, that you would be more like Jessica Fletcher than you thought and help solve a crime and be saved from someone showing up on your doorstep that had bad intentions. I absolutely love your books and can't wait till this one! Thanks for a chance to win!

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    1. Thanks, Lela. Yes, I've had some interesting experiences! LOL!

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  4. I can’t wait to read Dead End!! I’ve enjoyed this series very much. You present your characters in such a “normal” way. Meaning you can believe these characters like they are real people. Thank you.
    janeen dot bair at gmail dot com

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    1. That means a lot to me. I try to make them people readers can relate to.

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  5. Love this. You answered some great questions.

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    1. Hey, I got some great questions! Will take me a while to work my way through them, but I'm looking forward to it.

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  6. Thank you for the Q&A. It was awesome!
    csilyd (at) gmail (dot) com

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  7. I love your books and can't wait until Dead End comes out.

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    1. Thank you! I really think you'll like Dead End.

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  8. That is so cool how Kaely Quinn began! I love it! timnmandamiller@gmail.com

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  9. Great questions! And, Nancy does keep you on the edge of your seat when reading her books! Up all night, too!

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    Replies
    1. LOL! Sorry about disrupting your sleep! (Not really sorry.)

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    2. Hey, losing sleep doesn't matter to me! After all, I am retired!

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  10. So neat to learn that Kaely is the product of a dream! Never would have guessed it! amyinsurance16@gmail.com

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    1. Yep. She will always be one of my favorite characters.

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  11. I loved your idea for asking your readers for questions. Very interesting!

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    1. Did it once a long time ago. Really enjoyed it. I've got fodder for future posts now. I'm grateful because I never know what to write about. LOL!

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  12. I have always loved profiling and so when I first discovered this series i was over the moon exited! I loved the first two and cannot wiat to read Dead End!
    Hggraft@gmail.com

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  13. I think you mentioned that about Kaely being in a dream before. I loved hearing these answers. Some great questions here. Lily said she needs another book to pose with!! �� Clhutson1016(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. So neat to hear how the character of Kaely came to you!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  15. I love your books and I really enjoyed your answers to the questions. Stella(dot)potts77(at)gmail(dot) com

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  16. I am looking forward to reading Dead End! Just finished reading Firestorm.

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  17. Great questions and great answers. One of your last statenents especially resonated with me: you said that children and animals are off limit. I appreciate that because I can't read when they are harmed! Thanks for the chance to win Dead End!
    Blessings,
    Connie
    cps1950ATgmailDOTcom


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    1. You're welcome! Last year I thought I'd found a new author. I was really enjoying his book. He had a dog that went everywhere with him. When the main character was attacked, his dog was killed. That was the end of that story for me. Won't read it. Won't read that author again. As an animal lover, I can't handle stuff like that.

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  18. Love reading your books. harleybiker0326(at)gmail(dot)com

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  19. I really appreciate how she has boundaries in her writing. I had to review a book which involved child sex trafficking and I couldn’t do it. I don’t think that author described anything in detail but I didn’t want those thoughts in my head.

    I do like how Kaely talk to her suspects.
    Sonnetta_Jones(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Sex Trafficking is an important subject. I've thought about tackling it someday, but not sure how to go about it. I agree with you. There are some things I just don't want in my mind.

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  20. I just knew that there was a writer out there that wrote a book from a dream! What a cool gift! I have Mind Games on Kindle and a paperback of Fire Storm, this is all I need to conclude the series, LOL.
    perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
    Perrianne Askew

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    1. Hi, Perrianne! Wish God would give me dreams for every book! LOL!

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  21. I will get a book from your publisher.... but I enjoyed your article! I love the story about you dreaming about Kaely! I love her character!

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  22. That's so awesome how God gave you the character of Kaely through a dream! The Kaely Quinn, Profiler series is one of my top 5 favorite series and I cannot wait to read Dead End!

    eclitton at gmail dot com

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    1. Thank you so much, Elizabeth. I really appreciate that.

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  23. It was fun reading the answers to these questions. Your books are so enjoyable to read! I appreciate that children and pets are off limits and that you don't focus on the depravity of the crimes, but on good conquering evil. I look forward to reading Dead End!
    PatchesDanny (at) yahoo (dot)com

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  24. I loved reading about how you became a writer! This post was great and I loved getting to know you more. Thanks for the chance!

    usedtextbooks5(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  25. Thank you for taking time to answer questions, it’s interesting to learn where and how authors come up with their great ideas. I’m thankful you don’t use kids or animals too.

    Lisa M Buske
    Http:LisaMBuske.com

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  26. Love your writing. Can't wait for book #3 to find out what happens to Kaley.
    Neva; lthouselucy@msn.com

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  27. I love this series. I can't wait to see what happens in book 3!
    lhanberry1 at gmail dot com

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  28. interesting answers
    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  29. I'm sure that God gave you the inspiration and creativity to begin writing. Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions! racheltirzah(at)gmail(dot)com

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  30. Thank you for keeping kids and animals off limits, and for focusing on the solution to the crime and not the evil that caused it in the first place. I love your perspective! Can't wait to read "Dead End!"

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  31. Thank you for the opportunity!
    I've enjoyed the Kaely series, this far!!
    My email address is txjessy1@gmail.com

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  32. Very interesting questions and answers. Your series is new to me so I'll need to catch up. And I agree, some things need to be off limits in books.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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  33. Thanks for a chance to win! Your books sound terrific!

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  34. Thank you for your answers! Appreciate the opportunity to win one of your books! Love reading them!
    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

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  35. I enjoyed reading the questions and answers, especially about including characters who have a disabilities . As a disabled person I I have found only a few books that include characters that are disabled. It's nice to know that you are one of the few. Thank you for this chance to win. 1cow0993(at)gmail(dot)com.

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  36. A great post thank you. DEAD END sounds fabulous.


    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  37. Thank you for not harming children or pets! i know in real life it happens... there are some very cruel people in the world. Thanks for opportunity to win badawson16 at aol dot com

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  38. Nancy, I love your stories! I'm excited to read DEAD END!
    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  39. I'm dying to read this newest series from you! It sounds SO good!
    dmandres5 at gmail dot com

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  40. The book sounds really intriguing. I can't wait to read it.
    dianah7272@gmail.com

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  41. Really enjoy reading your books. Thanks for the post!
    mindyhoung AT msn DOT com

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  42. Thank you for sharing your answers. I enjoyed reading them.
    leliamae54(At)aol(dot)com

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  43. The way you were prompted to take a second chance at the writing thing and then the words soared, as well as your profiler dream are even bigger encouragements to read your stories. I love when an author's writing journey appears God-ordained, be it a dream or an answer to prayers. There are so many times when a book has something I need to read at just the right moment and I know that God had a purpose for that author's (your) words. God bless your writing, Nancy.
    tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  44. I have really enjoyed this series so far. I'm looking forward to the next one. So hard to put them down!

    1breyerlover09@cox.net

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  45. I'm only a month behind but just now got here and saw the answer to my question about Kaely Quinn. That is so interesting that you found her in a dream. It's amazing how our minds work when we are awake and when we are asleep. I'm glad Kaely popped in on you; really enjoying her stories!

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