with Dennis A. Nehamen
We are delighted to welcome mystery author Dennis A. Nehamen to Omnimystery News today.
Dennis's first in series mystery is Mistaken Enemy (Musical Novels Press; December 2013 trade paperback and ebook formats) and introduces freelance writer Zach Miller.
We recently had the opportunity to talk to Dennis about his new book.
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Omnimystery News: When you wrote Mistaken Enemy, did you see it as the first in a series?
Photo provided courtesy of
Dennis A. Nehamen
Dennis A. Nehamen: No. Truthfully, I was squeamish about taking on the task of a novel to begin with so a series of them was not even close to my consciousness. I'd written a few screenplays and books for musicals, but a novel? It was frightful to me. It wasn't until I completed several drafts of Mistaken Enemy and my confidence rose that I conceived of doing yet another piece. After that, it kept happening, the stories and characters needed for Zach Miller to continue his journey seemed to step forward just when I needed them.
OMN: Into which mystery subgenre would you place the book?
DAN: I've struggled with this issue. Aware that about everyone emphasizes that to be successful you need to pick a genre, I don't see it for me. I'm all over the place and like it that way. My goal is to entertain and if that means the story is a thriller, mystery, romance, adventure, fantasy or futuristic — all of which I've written — then so be it. I'll be releasing my books over the course of the next two years and I think my readers will appreciate the surprises I have for them.
OMN: Tell us something about Mistaken Enemy that isn't mentioned in the synopsis.
DAN: As anyone that reads the book will quickly understand, I spent months researching on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as the culture of the people. This included reading books and watching movies. I've also placed Mistaken Enemy in the hands of people from that region to make sure that there would be no factual errors or cultural inconsistencies.
OMN: Give us the synopsis in a tweet.
DAN: I'm Zach Miller. An international terrorist plot is about to destroy us and I'm the only one that can stop it — but nobody will listen to me.
OMN: You mentioned your extensive research on the storyline. How much of your own personal or professional experience have you included in the book?
DAN: Interesting question I've not addressed thus far. Truth is, this particular book would quality for pure fiction. I'd have to say that I created this one purely on fantasy as far as the characters and story development is concerned. That said it goes without saying that the history and geographic locations are real.
OMN: Describe your writing process.
DAN: I sit down and write. I never outline. It might sound a bit frightful, and at times it is, but I find that as the story moves along the process gets easier; it's almost as if it's writing itself — subplots unfold and characters arrive to play roles. There's something magical about it; I always think of writing as creating a movie.
OMN: And where do you usually write?
DAN: I have a small office toward the front of my home. Outside the window is a water fountain that is a favorite drinking spout for lots of hummingbirds and a variety of other birds — once a hawk landed and after he stared me down for a couple minutes I decided to build him into the story I was writing. Music is big for me — Moody Blues, The Platters, The Pet Shop Boys, Queen, Brenda Lee, The Rolling Stones … lots of favorites and I'll play one artist or group sometimes for days at a time.
OMN: How true are you to the setting of the book?
DAN: I try to keep scenes as close to real as possible. The process of writing is very visual for me and I like my characters to use their full senses to act within the setting.
OMN: If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, to research the setting for a book, where would it be?
DAN: That's a question with an answer that will not make my wife happy. With all expenses paid, first class, I'd prefer to stay home. I live in sunny Los Angeles. I have about everything I could dream in my simple and small world — I'm at peace here, plus I did my share of travel earlier in my life.
OMN: What is the best advice — and harshest criticism — you've received as an author? And what might you say to aspiring writers?
DAN: I'm aspiring in truth myself so I'm not sure my advice is worth that much. That said, we're always told to encourage family and friends to read our work. I disagree. I regret ever having come to any of them to look over my projects — too sensitive an issue. As for the best advice I've received: don't ever write for the money. Harshest criticism? Anything negative about an author's work is harsh to the ear and harsher still to the heart. I'd like to brag about my insensitivity to feedback, how objective I can be, but the reality is that my feelings bleed when they get hurt. I want everybody to love what I've done — I love it, so why shouldn't they?
OMN: 11. Complete this sentence: "I am a mystery author and thus I am also …"
DAN: … a kleptomaniac.
OMN: What are some of your outside interests? And have any of these found their way into your books?
DAN: I like to be outdoors. Hiking and walking is big for me. I have a dog that is a bit of a celebrity in that Henry Higgins (denominated after the star of My Fair Lady since he is an English Cocker Spaniel) has a role in the Zach Miller books. I take him on walks frequently. I also love great food. If somebody claims they've found a suburb restaurant, I'll give it a try. I'm very devoted to my family and spend as much time with them as I can.
OMN: Tell us a little more about the book's cover and title.
DAN: The cover design was created by Nick Zelinger, out of Colorado (nz graphics). I take absolutely no credit; he's the genius behind what I think is a wonderful artistic work. The title. Wow, that's a story. There have been four titles. The first was, Atomic Bond. The second, 7,500 Miles Off Track, followed by Deadly Detour and finally Mistaken Enemy. I liked them all — I'm easy to please about things I profess ignorance. I had lots of feedback before the title was presented by a young lady helping me set up my website and a few other items.
OMN: What kind of feedback have you received from readers?
DAN: There are two comments that keep recurring from people when they finish the book. The first is that they can't wait to see what happens with Zach Miller next. The second is that the story is going to be an amazing movie. Thus far, I've been getting rave reviews so I'm fairly upbeat about the feedback — but let me admit that this being the first full novel I wrote, I did over thirty edits and revisions. After that, if I couldn't produce some compliments I'd deserve any suffering I was experiencing.
OMN: If Mistaken Enemy were to be adapted for television or film, who do you see playing Zach Miller?
DAN: I had to look up the name, but there is a man who played the lead role in a movie I loved, called Garden State. I found out he's Zach Braff. He plays a spacey character that is brought to life by an enchanting girl played by a gem of an actress, Natalie Portman. The role he'd be assigned in Mistaken Enemy I can promise would be a challenge.
OMN: What kinds of books did you read when you were young?
DAN: I read little as a child: rarely and only if required for school. During college I was awakened to the thrill of a good book. Herman Hesse was quite popular at the time, as was Carlos Castaneda.
OMN: What specific authors influenced how and what you write today?
DAN: My favorites are Tom Robbins, John Steinbeck and John Fowles. However, when I began writing, I stopped reading. There was a method to that madness. I never wanted the style of another author to be influencing my work. It pleasures me when somebody comments that I have a unique style of my own — I believe that to be a reward for the sacrifice I've made abstaining from reading the great literature of other writers.
OMN: Do you have any favorite literary characters?
DAN: Number 1: Big Brother from Orwell's 1984. Then there's Joseph K from The Trial by Kafka, Atticus Finch from To Kill A Mockingbird, Santiago from The Old Man And The Sea, John Galt from Atlas Shrugged and of course, Holden Caulfield from The Catcher In The Rye.
OMN: What about series characters?
DAN: I like Jason Bourne by Ludlum and Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes from Conan Doyle.
OMN: What kinds of films do you enjoy watching?
DAN: Mostly I like to watch a range of movies, including comedy, drama and suspense. Some of my favorites are This Boy's Life, Dead Poet's Society, Godfather I & II, Scent of a Woman, Bananas, Rain Man, Tootsie, Platoon, and one of my all time greats, The Big Lebowsky … but it's a long list.
OMN: Create a Top 5 list for us on any topic.
DAN: Top 5 characteristics to look for in a lifelong partner:
• Integrity;
• Honesty;
• Loyalty;
• Determination; and
• Ability to love unconditionally.
OMN: What's next for you?
DAN: I'm in the get-my-work-out-into-the-world mode so much of my time is being devoted to promoting my career rather than writing. That's a big one for me too because I'm missing my creative work as much as one might a lover. I will be releasing Mescalero Blood, the second in The Zach Miller series next and also plan to release How Could Wright Be So Wrong. The latter is very precious to me. It's based on an award-winning full musical writer with my son, Craig. Twice it's been lights-up in New York for Wrapped. I've had the music reproduced and in fact have a version of the piece with the songs embedded into the novel — previously released as Wrapped but later taken off the market because the major book selling sites wouldn't list it with the songs because the file size was too large.
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Dennis A. Nehamen, Ph.D., is a clinical and forensic psychologist. Four decades of practice has awakened his true calling as a writer. His goal? Craft mind-boggling stories to entertain and stimulate an open exchange of thought. He lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife.
For more information about the author, please visit his website at DennisNehamen.com or find him on Facebook.
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Mistaken Enemy
Dennis A. Nehamen
A Zach Miller Thriller
Freelance writer Zacchaeus Miller travels to Israel, where he is told he has the ability to impact the lives of millions. He dives into the culture of his surroundings, in the end accidentally exposed to inside information threatening international borders. Burdened with the knowledge of an underground terrorist plot soon to be executed, the protagonist is then forced to play a role in the crisis.
In a race against time, and an ongoing struggle to declare his innocence, he must intercept the impending attack or watch helplessly as innocent people are slaughtered and nations destroyed. But even the unintended emissary isn't sure which side he is on.
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