An Interveiw with Jill Elizabeth Nelson

1. How did you get interested in writing?

In the sixth grade, my wonderful teacher would pull up a stool each day and read to us from the most imaginative books. I gradually began to realize that I wanted not only to enjoy the stories someone else had written, but to be the person who gave others the kind of pleasure I received from good books. That year, I penned—er, penciled my first novel, a perfectly horrible mystery tale. Not a word of the story exists today, and the world is grateful.

I’ve been writing in one capacity or another ever since, but only in 2005, with my first book contract, did I see the fulfillment of my dream to become a novelist. I turn fifty next month, and am living testimony that God is faithful to bring to pass the dreams He puts in a person’s heart. But He does it in His way and in His timing. I’m quite certain I wasn’t ready to handle the demands of the occupation prior to this. Besides, raising my four children had to come first.

2. How do you fit writing into your day?

In order to accomplish what must be done, meet deadlines, etc., writing must be a part of every day. Consistency wins the battle. Some days I write more than others, but I’m always writing. Since I work a full time job outside the home, I do most of my writing in the evenings and on weekends.

3. How do you deal with writer’s block?

Prayer! When I can’t see the road ahead, I need God’s wisdom to see what has dammed up the creativity. Sometimes I need to make a change in the story line, or I need to see something about a character that I’ve not realized before and incorporate that into the story. Fellowshipping with my Best Friend and asking His advice gets me to the place where I can “see” where I’m missing it. When writing under a deadline, writer’s block is not an option to indulge, so there have been times when I’ve hit my knees quite desperately.

4. If you had to give advice on writing, what would it be?

Write. Write. Write. Persevere. Persevere. Persevere. You don’t fail until you quit.

5. What are you working on now?

I just turned in a proposal to my current publisher for a new book, and I’m working on a separate proposal for a different publisher. Both of the proposals are for romantic suspense. At this point in my career, it’s important for me to stick with one genre and build name recognition to a certain readership.

Forbidden Temption

Forbidden Temptation Paula Graves June 2007 Romance Mystery www.eharlequin.com , www.paulagraves.com Daniel Hartman was a man on a mission. His mission was to find the man called Orion. This time his target was Rose Browning a woman with amazing matchmaking abilities. Daniel is tempted by the secrets this woman keeps. But can he get close to her without revealing the pai and loss in his own past and more importantly can he catch Orion before doing so becomes his obsession. I have been blessed to read Ms. Graves work before. Eve doing so I was blown away by this story. The depth of her story telling ability to me seems endless. Her characters draw you in and keep you captive until the very last word. This book blew my mind. Congratulations Ms Graves on yet another story that kept me glued to my seat.

Reluctant Runaway Book 2 in the To Catch a Thief Seris

Reluctant Runaway Book 2 in the To Catch A Thief series Jill Elizabeth Nelson March 2007 Romance, Crime, Drama, Mystery www.mpbooks.com http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com When Maxine Webb interrupts a date between her friends Tony Lucano and Desi Jacob's half out of her mind with fear and dressed in pj's and bunny slippers what else can they do but help her? Max's niece has gone missing and left a baby without it's mother. When it comes out that Max's niece worked at a museum that has been robbed and that that museum was supposed to be protected by HMJ Security things started getting complicated. It doesn't stop there . What do Tony's latest case, and cult leaders have to do with any of this ? Wow Ms Nelson's plots just keep getting better and better. She is the master of complications that leave me scratching my head and wondering where I missed the clue to this twist. I am both confused and delighted with each story. I may never figure out Ms. Nelson's mind but that's ok with me