We offer the character a way out of their predicament, but the hero refuses. (Think Indiana Jones and his aversion to snakes.) We immerse them into a setting that is determined to see the character fail by tossing rocks, swords, bullets, bombs, lies, and the hero’s worst fears into their paths. How does a writer accomplish this amazing feat? Is there a magic wand to wave over our keyboard? In this way, the writer understands the character’s motivation. Some readers become the hero or heroine, much like children don super-hero costumes and develop mannerisms of their favorite character.Ī writer becomes every protagonist and antagonist. Readers and writers dream the character is real and imagine themselves joining the journey. But the criteria are the same: an immortal story touched us, spoke to us, and we were passionately involved in the lives of the characters and their quest.Ī gold-spun story is filled with rare, distinct, haunting, and extraordinary characters who accompany us to our sweet spot of remembrance. What lingers as a memorable novel for you may not give me an exceptional read. Not every story has that spun gold, and not every reader experiences the same soul-grabbing story. Stories Have Souls that Breathe ImmortalityĪn unforgettable story steps beyond “once upon a time” to a special place that captures the reader’s heart forever. My prayer is people will experience God’s presence during our current global crisis.

My mission then and now is to show a story that weaves hope, reality, and the sacrificial work of first responders when a deadly virus spreads through innocent people. This book was completed and edited before COVID-19 spread across our globe.

Tyndale House Publishers saw my passion for Airborne. Along the way, God placed the right people in my path: a woman and new friend whose doctorate is in microbiology and immunology, a man who trains flight attendants for the airline that I envisioned in my story, a pilot who not only flies for my designated airline but is also a suspense and thriller writer, the amazing people and resources of the CDC, and the wisdom and guidance of the FBI.

The search to find experts who were willing to give me accurate information took another year. All I had was a what-if: A virus unleashed on an international flight. The story line for Airborne came to me three and a half years ago.

As more victims fall prey days after the initial outbreak, time’s running out to hunt down the killer, one who may be closer to the victims than anyone ever expected.

Airborne diann mills