Do you love a good story? You know, the kind you finish and can’t stop thinking about because it changed you in some way? Me too. I’m fascinated by the plot twists that catch me off guard, the characters who make me think about my own humanity, the laugh out loud antics of those unforgettable fictional folks. If you’re like me, you’ve got a bunch of books teetering on your bedside table and the problem is that there’s not enough time in the day to devote to reading.
So what is this blog about anyway? It’s about the world of stories and the people who write them, from classic writers long since passed, to modern tales just unfolding. 
Folks always ask me where I get my story ideas. My response? Are you KIDDING? The world is full of wild, wacky and wonderous stories that are FAR stranger than any fiction. Many of them are stories that inspired those great authors of yesteryear. Maybe some of them will inspire you with a story idea or two!
I’m blessed to be an author of Christian fiction suspense novels for Harlequin and Moody publishers. With more than 15 books floating around out there, I’ve been honored to receive a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, a Holt Medallion Merit Award and an ACFW Book of the Year Award. If you’d like to track me down elsewhere in the cyber universe, you can find me on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. 🙂 My website is danamentink.com and if you’d like to share my ‘Stranger Than Fiction’ journey, please subscribe to the blog and we’ll share our love of books, and those who write them, together.
Fiction 4 Writers and Readers 
Posted by roberteggleton on April 9, 2016 at 5:54 am
Hi. Does your descriptive term, “christian,” quantify your appreciation? I’ve always avoided people who need….
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Posted by dana mentink on April 9, 2016 at 5:56 am
Not sure what you mean, Robert. 🙂
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Posted by roberteggleton on April 9, 2016 at 7:57 pm
Thanks for the reply. I was wondering if your religious faith influences either the types of books that you review or your findings after having read a book. Rarity from the Hollow is my debut novel and, of course, I’ve been looking for book reviewers with some success: two Gold Medals by major organizations and several wonderful book reviewers so far. Its a traditional small press publication, which means that I’m responsible for self-promotion. In conducting my search, I’ve avoided submitting requests to book reviewers who make their faith prominent on their blogs. Perhaps I’ve been making a mistake, perhaps not.
I was just wondering about your take on the situation. Rarity from the Hollow is adult literary science fiction that is not for the prudish, faint of heart or easily offended. The “F word” is used twice because it fits. There is sexual reference as one of the characters is a sexually abused child (I’m a retired children’s psychotherapist) but not sex scenes.
Personally, I’m Christian, but there are some people in my church who I would not recommend reading my novel. Author proceeds have been donated to child abuse prevention, and they would like that, but I’d be afraid that they would have a heart attack or something if they read my novel. lol
So, what do you think? Does it signify that an author should not submit review requests for avant gard work to book reviewers who profile their religious faith on their blogs?
Thanks
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Posted by dana mentink on April 10, 2016 at 9:00 am
Hey, Robert! I understand the dilemma. People have many expectations about what Christian fiction is or isn’t. Personally, when I review, I try to stick to the genres that I like to read. Even when I’m judging the RITAs, I stay with genres I’m really comfortable with. If I did read a book that I found too “edgy” for my taste, I would not post a review. That’s just a life policy of mine. I know how painful a negative review can be so I only post reviews of books I really enjoy. I’ve been criticized for that, but there are plenty of people bashing books/authors in their reviews and I’m not going to add to that.
As far as submitting your book for review, I feel like full disclosure would let folks know who might be offended by language or graphic situations. I would go ahead and submit wherever you want, as long as reader’s know ahead of time about your edgier content. Wishing you the best with your book, Robert! I know how much effort it takes to promote work, believe me!
Dana Mentink award winning fiction author http://www.danamentink.com
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Posted by Aerykah on September 24, 2015 at 3:55 pm
Good morning, Dana! 🙂
I tagged you for the Creative Blogger Award. Here’s a link to my post — https://aerykah.wordpress.com/2015/09/24/creative-blogger-award/
If you decide to participate, please do let me know because I would love to see your post! 🙂
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Posted by Aerykah on June 13, 2014 at 12:37 am
Hello there! I always enjoy reading your posts! I nominated you for the Sunflower Blogger Award. 🙂
Here’s my post — http://aerykah.wordpress.com/2014/06/12/sunflower-blogger-award/
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Posted by dana mentink on June 13, 2014 at 1:19 pm
Well aren’t you just the sweetest, Aerykah! Thank you!
Dana Mentink award winning fiction author http://www.danamentink.com
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Posted by About Dana Mentink | fictionfanaticandromance on January 20, 2014 at 7:58 pm
[…] About Dana Mentink. […]
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Posted by JCMorrows on December 10, 2013 at 2:11 am
GREAT BLOG!
I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award!
CONGRATULATIONS!
You can read more about this in the post below:
http://homeschoolmommusings.wordpress.com/2013/12/10/wow-a-blog-award-how-exciting (It will be up as soon as I can find 5 more blogs) 😉
God Bless You!
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Posted by dana mentink on December 10, 2013 at 2:24 am
Well gee! Thanks a bunch.
Sent from my iPad
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Posted by Lizzi Rizzi on September 12, 2013 at 5:19 pm
I am one of those people who love to read. And when I pick up a good book, it’s hard to get my nose out of it. I have read almost all the books you have in Love Inspired Suspense.
I am into writing as well. It started about last year. I just started coming up with all these ideas. I want to get them published with Harlequin in the LIS category.
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Posted by dana mentink on September 13, 2013 at 12:39 am
Super, Lizzi. Love Inspired is always looking for new authors!
Sent from my iPad
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Posted by Vicki on June 30, 2015 at 1:26 pm
I’m also an aspiring writer. I have a couple different WIP & self-published my memoir about how God brought me through breast Cancer available on Amazon: “Hope in the Shadows –My Breast Cancer Journey”) in Nov. 2015 which I’m very proud of–just needs more promoting. UGH…
Another of my WIP’s is a Suspense which I entered into the Blurb2Book contest in the LIS category. I dint make it too far, but another author friend who is still in it, told me it might not be a ‘good fit’ for LIS, because my heroine was raped 10 yrs previously to my storyline. I still REALLY like my storyline, so I intend to still finish it–then maybe try a different story for LIS…
Lizzi–keep pushing towards your goal. And if your WIP is not accepted by LIS–there are other avenues for publication as well. Tip–make sure you do a LOT of editing & find others willing to be a beta reader and/or crit partner (Critique partner…). The BIGGEST tip? KEEP WRITING!
Vicki
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Posted by dana mentink on June 30, 2015 at 1:46 pm
Yep, persistence is worth just as much as talent, for sure! Thanks for sharing your writing journey, Vicki! 🙂
Dana Mentink award winning fiction author http://www.danamentink.com
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Posted by Winterville First Baptist Church Media Center on September 3, 2013 at 8:14 pm
I know, I know, another award and a lot of hard work. So really, if you don’t want to do it I completely understand. I may quit after this one myself.
But I just want you to know that I do truly enjoy reading your blog posts and they make me smile, warm my heart, and make me really think too! You do a great job and even if this email is all you read, just know that I appreciate all you do on your blog!
Here’s the link to our post: http://wfbcmediacenter.wordpress.com/2013/09/03/we-were-nominated-for-the-sunshine-award/
Since I’m a quirky, crazy type of person, you may want to just jump over and read my answers…especially my P.S. at the very end! I hope it will brighten your day!
Debbie
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Posted by dana mentink on September 3, 2013 at 8:43 pm
Congratulations on your award! 🙂
Sent from my iPad
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Posted by Giftsofdawn on November 13, 2012 at 9:44 pm
Well Dana glad to meet you … I am Linda A Scott Author … Giftsofdawn I write YA and children … O yes and Pug Adventure’s http://giftsofdawn.wordpress.com stop by and say hello
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