God is in Control, but I’m Responsible for My Own Decisions by Dianna T. Benson

Diana T. Benson

Last summer we enjoyed reading “Diana T. Benson’s Journey to Publication.” I’m thrilled to have her return to Seriously Write to share more of what she’s discovered about herself and the life choices she’s made. Give some thought to what she’s learned and how it may pertain to your own life.  ~ Dawn

God is in Control, 

but I’m Responsible 

for My Own Decisions

I recently wondered if I’m on the right career path and I questioned my professional purpose and direction. This led me to recognize I didn’t take responsibility for my own decisions. Instead, I put them on God (not in a negative way, like blame Him for anything), whereas I need to hold myself accountable. Absolutely He is in control, but God gave us all free will.

Even though God gave me the skills and zeal to write fiction, I made the choice to embark on a career in the publishing industry (and He blessed me with a contract). Even though God gave me the romantic feelings of love for my husband, I decided to marry him (and He’s blessed us as a couple for twenty-five years). Even though God gave me the longing to be a mother, I chose to become a parent (and He blessed me with three children). Even though God gave me the desire to work in EMS, I chose to become an EMT (and He protects me on every EMS call). All four of these choices are what we humans refer to as major. All headed me down certain paths, leading me to where and who I am today.

Since I’m responsible for my own life choices, then I better think long and hard before I make decisions. In choosing a direction, I’ve learned to ask myself: On what path will I be able to treat others the way I want to be treated and apply myself with a positive attitude in an effort to match my best? Sometimes my best is awful, sometimes it’s awesome, most of the time it’s somewhere in between, but as long as I’m trying to be a kind person and do the right thing every day, I’m on the right path, God’s lighted path, and honestly, that’s the only thing that matters; everything else is just a detail. I’ve realized all the things that seem so important are nothing more than the human details of life. The only thing God is concerned with is how we treat others, how we treat ourselves, and how we treat Him. It’s not about achievements. 

Everyone is different; what works for one person, doesn’t work for another. How do you balance the fact God is in control? 

Persephone’s Fugitive

Persephone's Fugitive

Book Two

Cayman Islands Trilogy

*** SPOILER ALERT *** 

Reading Persephone’s Fugitive (including the book blurb) before The Hidden Son (Book One in the Cayman Islands Trilogy) will ruin the ending of The Hidden Son. However, both books are standalones.

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.

Dianna T. Benson is the award-winning and international bestselling author of The Hidden Son and Final Trimester. Persephone’s Fugitive is her third release. An EMT and a HazMat and FEMA Operative since 2005, Dianna authentically implements her medical and rescue experience and knowledge into all her suspense novels. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and their three children. You can learn more and connect with Dianna at www.diannatbenson.com

 

Dianna T. Benson’s Journey to Publication

Dianna T. Benson

The path to publication can be a mountainous, winding road containing detours and dead ends. Author Dianna T. Benson knows this only too well. Though it appeared she’d reached her destination more than once, she was sent on her way with a new map to follow. Her story is proof that not only talent, but tenacity is important in this industry. Enjoy!

~ Dawn

Dianna T. Benson’s Journey to Publication

I started writing my first book in 1993 when my oldest child was a newborn. After completing five novels, having two more children, earning my EMS degree and working for two years as an EMT, I signed with my first agent in 2007. Six agents offered me representation that spring; it was a difficult choice between them since all six are top-notch.

In the fall of 2007, a film agent requested a screenplay of The Hidden Son after reading the book. In early 2009, just before I completed the script, the film agent suddenly retired due to health issues. I never pursued anything further with the script, and I focused back on writing novels.

Later in 2009, I received a four-book publishing contract offer, but turned it down to focus on my young family since my husband had just been diagnosed with head and neck cancer and our oldest daughter was only sixteen, our son was thirteen and our youngest daughter was only nine.

In 2011, I won the Genesis in the mystery/suspense/thriller category. In 2012, I signed with a new agent; within days I had a contract offer from B&H, a large traditional publisher. That contract was pending for thirteen weeks due to the publishing house facing difficulties (less than a year later, they permanently discontinued their fiction department). During those thirteen weeks, my agent let go of all the other interest in my writing. I considered ending my writing career before it even really began. Since EMS has always been a part time career for me (too intense for full time), I applied to Penn State to earn my Masters in psychology to become a social worker out in the field (not clinical) – Think: EMS without the medical aspects. I was accepted into the psychology program and decided to put my writing career on hold.

But…due to my Genesis win, Ellechor Publishing House, a small traditional publishing house, contacted me, requesting me to submit to them. Within days, they offered me a nine-book contract.

In March 2013, The Hidden Son released. Final Trimester is my second release.

For details on what led me to start writing that first book in 1993, read my WRITING page on my website: www.diannatbenson.com

Also….for words of encouragement for writers, view my WRITING page on my website.

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Final Trimester

Final Trimester

Book One in the Quigley Triplets Series

Paramedic Jodi Duncan recognizes the work of a serial killer before the Myrtle Beach PD even suspects a connection between the deaths of two pregnant women. Despite the vast differences in the two cases, Jodi urges Detective Nate Quigley to think outside the box. After digging deep into the separate investigations, Nate finds no evidence to support a serial killer theory, and he warns Jodi to back off police business, which only fuels her passion for the cases.

When a third pregnant woman is murdered, Nate is named lead detective on the case and works to link the deaths in order to unmask and stop the serial murderer, a disturbed man who believes God and the devil battle inside his head to bend him according to their wills. As he fights both voices, his interest fixates on Jodi when he discovers her obsession with ending his rampage.

Dianna Torscher Benson is a 2014 Selah Award Winner, a 2011 Genesis Winner, a 2011 Genesis double Semi-Finalist, a 2010 Daphne de Maurier Finalist, and a 2007 Golden Palm Finalist. In 2012, she signed a nine-book contract with Ellechor Publishing House. She’s the author of The Hidden Son, her debut novel. Final Trimester is her second release.  

After majoring in communications and a ten-year career as a travel agent, Dianna left the travel industry to earn her EMS degree. An EMT and a Haz-Mat and FEMA Operative since 2005, she loves the adrenaline rush of responding to medical emergencies and helping people in need.

Dianna lives in North Carolina with her husband and their three children.

Website: www.diannatbenson.com

Her releases are available wherever books are sold. Below are the links to Final Trimester at the three largest booksellers:

Amazon.com

Barnes and Noble

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