Dianna T. Benson Interview

Q: How did you get your start writing fiction and what genre do you predominantly write in?

A: In 1993 I wrote my first suspense. In 1996 Author Eve Byron asked me to join her critique group and be one of her beta readers for My Lord Stranger. Soon after that I had my second child and my husband and I moved our family across the country, then I had my third child and entered medic school. I continued writing suspense during those years, and I first submitted to agents in 2000. Spring 2007 six agents offered me representation on my fifth completed manuscript; it was difficult to choose one since all six are top-notch. Fall 2007 a film agent requested a screenplay of The Hidden Son after reading the book, but just weeks before I finished the script she suddenly retired due to health issues; I haven’t pursued anything further with the script. In 2009 I was offered a four-book contract, but my husband had just been diagnosed with head and neck cancer, so I turned it down to focus on our young family of five. In 2012 for thirteen weeks, I had a pending contract with B&H, but they discontinued their fiction department. Days after that Ellechor Publishing House offered me a nine-book contract. The Hidden Son released in 2013 and Final Trimester released in 2014. Persephone’s Fugitive is my third suspense release.

Q: What does your writing space look like?

A: Years before I even signed with my first agent in 2007, our bonus room was my office (my writing space). It’s huge so it’s perfect for me to spread everything out. The loveseat is awesome for me to lie on while I write rough draft pages on paper with a pencil

Q: In this busy world, how do you find time to connect with God and how does this impact your writing?

A: Everyone is different. We all must find our own way to live our daily lives in every aspect in ways which equips us to be at our best. For me, my weekly Bible study with daily homework and praying often every day keeps me focused on my faith and directed on the right path for me. How do I know I’m on the right path? If I’m able to treat others the way I want to be treated, if I’m able to apply myself with a positive attitude in an effort that matches my best, then I feel happy and at peace. If I’m happy and peaceful, then I know I’m choosing sensible behaviors and making the right decisions. I’ve learned if I don’t make time to connect with God, then I might as well stay in bed with the covers over my head.

Q: What part of a writing career do you find most difficult?

A: Every writer is different and needs to find their way – what works for one writer, won’t work for another. For me, one of the biggest challenges as an author is bouncing back and forth from the business side of writing to actually writing my fiction. So I’ve learned never to write on the days I have a radio/TV interview, a book signing, a speaking engagement, or any other type of marketing task. Whenever possible, I bunch my marketing together in the same week(s) and take time off writing. When I’m not releasing a new book, thus buried in marketing, then I dig in and focus on writing.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release, Persephone’s Fugitive, Book Two in the Cayman Island Trilogy

A: When a routine 911 call turns deadly, Paramedic Sara Dyer finds herself held at gunpoint by Jason Keegan, an injured psych-ward patient charged with murder. The situation spirals out of Sara’s control when the confrontation becomes a tense standoff between Keegan and the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.

As Keegan’s hostage, Sara fights to save them both before he blows them up. She realizes his warning to the Cayman police is no empty threat since he’d rather die than spend the rest of his life in a prison cell. Sara soon discovers Keegan is just as determined to survive as she is – provided he can escape Grand Cayman and disappear forever. As she struggles to trust in God’s protection, help from an atheist turns her struggle into a lure away from her faith.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

A: Persephone’s Fugitive was inspired by real events I experienced on an EMS call during a shift.

Q: Tell us a little about your main character and how you developed him/her.

A: Paramedic Sara Dyer is a mix of the countless EMS partners I’ve worked with over the years and simply a fictional person, a blend of the type of person I admire.

Q: What did you enjoy most about writing this book? Least?

A: Most: As in with Final Trimester, showing how EMS actually works scenes.

Least: Writing the sad reality—our loved ones should be the people we can trust and count on the most, but too often that isn’t the case. 99% of the time when someone is injured or killed, a loved-one is the violator (not some ominous stranger).

Q: What is the main theme or spiritual message of this book?

A: In Persephone’s Fugitive (and in all my books), I want readers to see how my characters don’t just “get through” or try to “get over” the difficult stuff in life; instead, my characters accept the pain difficult events in their lives cause them and they move forward with a renewed sense of understanding in themselves, in life, and in God.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?

A: I’m actually writing two different books right now: Book Three in the Cayman Islands Trilogy, Underground Identity, and Book One in the MCI Trilogy (Mass Casualty Incidents), Illusion of Safety

Q: If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?

A: Jesus and Mother Teresa

Q: Do you have a favorite hobby?

A: Sports. I love being active in various sports and enjoying nature.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing you have ever done?

A: Work as an EMT and a HazMat and FEMA Operative.

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?

A: www.diannatbenson.com and anywhere books are sold.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?

A: Thank you, Susan Sleeman, for this interview. I enjoyed my time on the Suspense Zone.