“I love to write, it’s my passion, but this cancer thing trumps it. I took this diagnosis as a nudge from God that I need to set writing aside for a little while and just concentrate on the most important things: my relationship with Him and my relationship with my family.” ~ Mike Dellosso

Author Mike Dellosso shares from his heart about his recent colon cancer diagnosis:

“In the long run, I think the experience of traveling through this valley will only enhance my writing, give it more depth, more texture, more emotion and passion. I know firsthand what it’s like to traverse that Valley of the Shadow of Death, to question why me?, to be scared of dying, not for dying’s sake but for my family’s sake, to live with a monster inside me that wants to kill me (hey, that gives me a great story idea), to be poked, prodded, scoped, and stuck, to live a life that revolves around the next test result or the next doctor’s appointment. I’ve been there now and I can incorporate those experiences into my stories, into the life of my characters. It’ll be interesting to see how my writing changes once I get back to it.”

What is one thing your diagnosis has taught you?

“…to fully rely on God, to willingly submit myself and put my life in His hands. And of course, this carries over into my writing as well. We writers never know where the next contract is coming from or how much the next royalty check will be for, or even how the next story will unfold, if there is a next story. We are constantly at His mercy, and I’m learning that’s a good place to be.”

About Mike’s writing:

How did you get into writing? Short answer: God used a near tragedy to force me to put pen to paper and discover what He had placed in my heart and the freedom writing brought while expressing that.

How long did it take you to get your first contract? I wrote and studied writing seriously for 9 years before landing my contract with Realms.

Why suspense? I write what I like to read. I have a short attention span so I enjoy stories that keep moving, pique my interest, have elements of intrigue, suspense, and danger and usually some supernatural twist.

Where do you get your ideas? I get ideas from all kinds of sources including news stories, Bible accounts, and things that happen in my own life. Sometimes I’ll just peruse the internet for interesting and unique stories that will stir my imagination. The idea for The Hunted came into being when I stumbled upon a story on the internet about lion sightings in a small town in Indiana back in the 1920’s. I’m always looking for story lines and plot ideas in everyday life and always looking for interesting characters in the people I meet.

Are you a plotter or a seat-of-the-pantser? Seat-of-the-pants all the way. I know where I want to start and where I want to end and I just make stuff up as I go with every in-between. Not very scientific or calculating, I know, but I figure if I don’t know how the story is going to unravel, the reader won’t either. It’s a journey of unexpected surprises for me . . . the writing itself is suspenseful!
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Thanks, Mike. The Hunted is definitely a suspenseful read - releases in stores today! Save on gas and order from Amazon today.

* Mike Dellosso website
* Wide Eyed Fiction - Mike’s blog
* Contact Mike
* Mike’s Newsletter
* Order The Hunted