Writing romantic suspense is my passion. I stay awake at night planning a story
in which a strong and vibrant heroine attempts the impossible, the forbidden, or
the dangerous for the good of others. She meets a hero who compliments her
strengths and challenges her weaknesses. Together they take the writer and the
reader on an adventure.
However, research can be difficult, especially if I’m not familiar with the
character’s profession and its rules of conduct. I educate myself through online
research and the library until I have accumulated enough knowledge to contact a
real person who has this profession. My goal is to pose questions during the
interview that are realistic for the character in my book. Sometimes I must
preface my inquiry with, “I need to know if this situation could happen, not if
it has.” The answer allows me freedom to create plot twists and circumstances
that add tension and conflict to my story while staying true to the character’s
profession.
Some professions are easier to research than others. The FBI wants public
support, and they are patient in responding to questions. Both agencies allowed
me to tour their facilities.
The FBI offers solutions for my questions, and I’m grateful for their assistance.
Other professions involved in national security are required to keep their
techniques secret. Makes sense to me. If we are to be protected from those who
seek us harm, then methods must be hidden from the public. The CIA and Secret
Service are two agencies that can’t reveal how we are to be kept safe. The
writer is on her own to figure out how crimes are prevented and stopped.
Sometimes a person in one of these fields will tell me what I’ve written is
wrong. On those occasions, I become more creative in addressing a situation in
my story.
The romance portion of romantic suspense has to be accurate. Some agencies frown
on their employees fraternizing within their ranks. The reasons are sound. Think
about a man or woman in a high-risk situation in which their priorities might be
another person instead of his/her responsibilities. For a man and woman who are
attracted to each other, employer guidelines might mean hiding their
relationship. More juicy conflict.
Writing romantic suspense is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. The pieces
have to fit in a way that are credible and in character. Every scene of the
novel has to add conflict while the plot adds layers to the story problem. I
encourage writers who are fascinated by romantic suspense to conduct realistic
research. Book sales will grow!
How do you research your stories? We want to hear!
FBI Task Force
#1
Airport Ranger volunteer Stacy Broussard expected a peaceful Saturday morning
ride around the perimeter of Houston’s airport. What she encounters instead is a
brutal homicide and a baffling mystery. Next to the body is an injured dog, the
dead man’s motorcycle, and a drone armed with a laser capable of taking down a
747.
Though FBI Special Agent Alex LeBlanc sees a clear-cut case of terrorism, his
past has taught him to be suspicious of everyone, even witnesses. Even
bleeding-heart veterinarians like Stacy. But when her gruesome discovery is only
the first in a string of incidences that throw her life into a tailspin, Alex
begins to wonder if Stacy was targeted. As a health emergency endangers Stacy’s
community, and the task force pulls in leads from all directions, Alex and Stacy
must work together to prevent another deadly encounter.
Romance Suspense | Inspirational Mystery
[Tyndale House, On Sale: August 1, 2016, Paperback
/ e-Book, ISBN: 9781496410979 / eISBN: 9781496414427]
Expect an Adventure
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; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers
Association; International Thriller Writers, and the Faith, Hope, and Love
chapter of Romance Writers of America. She is co-director of The Author Roadmap
with social media specialist Edie Melson where she 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.
Thanks Kathleen - research is a constant path ahead for every novel, no matter the genre.
(DiAnn Mills 7:08am August 19, 2016)
I would think that research is one of the most important things and a first step to take in any prep work in writing a book! Love your too!!!
(Bonnie Capuano 4:45pm August 19, 2016)
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