We're happy to have Jill Elizabeth Nelson with us today talking about her book, Calculated Revenge. To learn more about Jill and her book, read on!
Your title: Calculated Revenge
1) How did this story come to you?
I’ve always wanted to do a novel about child abduction, but not something typical. The unusual twists in Calculated Revenge are the product of serious time spent extrapolating the logistics of character motivation, behavior and interaction. What would this particular character do next, how does that affect the other characters, and how do I give that logical progression a unique twist that will be believable and intriguing to the reader? It is also my habit always to seek the Lord’s wisdom in any book I write. Even when I paint myself into a corner, He is faithful to show me the way out, and the story is better for His insightful grace!
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
A rather uneventful path, actually. My editor at Steeple Hill asked me for a new proposal, they liked what they saw, and awarded a contract for two more books with them. The second one, Legacy of Lies, comes out in October, but is unrelated to Calculated Revenge. The similarity begins and ends in that they are both set in fictitious small towns in rural Minnesota.
3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
Hmmm. Good question.
a. I’m well into middle age, but have few gray hairs. This should be an astonishing fact, considering I raised four children, and at one point, they were all teenagers! I do get my brown hair highlighted, because my husband likes it that way.
b. Armed with trusty laptop, I write seated next to my husband in one of our matching recliners. He’s allowed to have the television on, because I can tune that out. However, he’d better not try to talk to me at a crucial moment in the story. ;-)
c. I’ve been on short term mission trips to Jamaica, Thailand, and New Orleans during Mardi Gras. What an eye-opening experience that was! We’re long-time friends with missionaries who are currently stationed in the Philippines. We hope to be able to go over and help out there with a project sometime soon.
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I recently turned in a proposal for my agent to shop around and am working on another proposal for a story that he and I really like. Hopefully, I’ll be offered another two-book contract and can do both stories for one publisher.
5) Parting comments?
Reader feedback is an awesome inspiration to writers. We thoroughly appreciate when readers take time out of their busy lives to let us know how our stories have touched them. In fact, I use such testimonies as part of the program I present at libraries on The Inspirational Fiction Phenomenon. I’m booked solid this spring, which reflects the widespread interest in Christian fiction today.
6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My web site is http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com/. Hop on over. I have a fun little contest page where readers can enter a monthly drawing for my most recent release. My blog features oodles of awesome authors, and I frequently give away their books as well. Signing up for my quarterly newsletter will keep readers abreast of what’s new in my writing world and also make them eligible for exclusive offers I make available to subscribers only.
