Characters Interviewing Authors: Mimi Wahlfeldt
DARE
After Jewel Diamond, 28, wakes in the ER with no memory of the trauma that brought her there, she must face the many ways her life will change. Bearing a hideous scar on her cheek that affects her speech, Jewel’s instinct is to isolate and withdraw into her sadness. As memories of the incident that caused her concussion and disfigurement begin to return, Jewel is drawn into the quest to discover who hurt her—the same men who killed a defenseless disabled woman on the bus with her that day.
“DARE” is an emotional fiction that follows Jewel as she heals from physical wounds and the psychological impact of being the victim of an assault. However, her path is not straight or simple. When the legal system fails her, Jewel confronts the nature of justice, actions, and consequences, wondering if sometimes what’s wrong is also right.
What follows is a conversation between Jewel and the author, Mimi.
—
Jewel: So, Mimi. You wanted to tell my story, but I don’t think you’ve been successful in getting people to read it.
Me: Hey, now. That’s pretty judge-y, friend. You wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t created you. Where’s the love?
Jewel: OK, true. I’m grateful. Really. But we spent the better part of two years grinding away, trying to pull themes and plotlines together. We worked on building tension and making sure the characters felt real on the page. What was the point of all that?
Me: Well, my time with you at the computer was very special. I loved writing about your unique friendship with Teddy and your budding romance with Marco.
Jewel: I was lucky to have those two by my side. But The Incident . . . you know how hard that was.
Me: I know, Jewel. When you were attacked on that city bus as you stood up to defend Rosalie Tedesco . . . that poor, sweet woman. I was so proud of you. So brave, even though it cost you.
Jewel: It didn’t cost me as much as it did Rosalie. I can still see her wide eyes, filled with terror. Blood pooling around her stomach as she lay on the floor of that bus.
Me: You did as much for her as you could.
Jewel: It wasn’t enough . . .
<Pause>
Jewel: And what about Sean and Jarred? Those bastards! They did THIS to me (Jewel points to the nasty scar on her right cheek), and there’s no consequence for them.
Me: We talked about that, remember? Rosalie died, but you . . .
Jewel: Yeah, I get to walk around for the rest of my life looking like a freak. I can’t even talk right anymore.
Me: Your scar and your speech are getting better. It just takes time.
Jewel: I can kiss my acting career goodbye.
Me: You don’t know that yet. And besides, this pity party doesn’t suit you well. You’ve got to focus on things you can control.
Jewel: OK. Let’s talk about getting my story out into the world. You said people would care about what happened to me. To Rosalie. Don’t they want to know about how the justice system fails sometimes, and criminals go free? Won’t they care what happens to victims and their families who are forgotten?
Me: They will care. Or I think they will. But getting readers to purchase books by unknown authors is difficult these days. Big publishing houses spend millions of dollars getting best-selling authors in bookstores and on nationwide talk shows. My measly budget can’t compete with that.
Jewel: What else can you do to promote the book?
Me: Well, I’ve written articles for websites and sell books at craft fairs. I attend writing conferences, speak at book talks, do signings, and pass out cute bookmarks. I create ads on social media and send out quarterly newsletters. I have a Facebook following of 600 people, and I post regularly.
Jewel: That seems like a lot.
Me: It’s a lot of effort, yes. I still think more people need to know your story, Jewel. I want to promote the book in more ways, but honestly, I’m tired.
Jewel: Tired? I don’t understand.
Me: It’s tiring to talk about something over and over, trying to get someone to see the value in parting with $18 to lose themselves in someone else’s story.
Jewel: $18?! That’s it? You have friends that spend that on a trip to Starbucks, right? And that coffee and lemon cake are gone in 15 minutes.
Me: Yup. And the eBook is only $5.99. Less than a grande latte. But that’s what authors compete with.
<Pause>
Me: I hate to sound so whiny.
Jewel: But I understand what it feels like to keep spinning your wheels. I tried to help the police investigate. I desperately wanted Sean and Jarred to be held accountable for their crimes. I can’t believe they got away with . . .
Me: Try not to think about it anymore.
Jewel: What?! How can I not think about it? I remember what happened every time I look in the mirror.
Me: I know. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. You can’t just pretend it didn’t happen.
Jewel: That’s why getting my story out there is so important to me. I want people to know what happened so it doesn’t just fade away. At first, I didn’t want to be seen because I was ashamed of the scar. Now I see it as a badge of courage. But people need to read about what happened to me so they can wonder if they’d handle the situation the same way.
Me: I kinda doubt they would. But it would be interesting to know, wouldn’t it?
Jewel: No one knows how they’ll act until it’s their life in the crosshairs.
Me: I was surprised by many of your decisions, Jewel. Even though I created you—and you’re a fictional character—you were in charge much of the time. That still amazes me.
Jewel: I have no regrets about my choices. And as for taking charge of the storyline, I can’t complain about that either. I’m not sure you would’ve gone there if not for me.
Me: I know you’re right, but still. What will people think?
Jewel: They’ll have to buy the book to judge for themselves.
BUY DARE HERE
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After being nudged into early retirement in 2021, Mimi has focused on writing fiction. Her first novel, Forks & Knives, was published in August 2024 by Black Rose Writing. Mimi and her husband Stephen published her second novel, DARE, under the imprint of their fledgling company, Little Key Publishing, in April 2025. She is currently looking for a publishing home for her third book, Whatever Comes Next, and she’s just begun working on Book #4.
With degrees in communication and organizational leadership, Mimi’s past work positions centered around public relations and event planning, which often focused on promotional writing.
Married to her best friend, Stephen, Mimi enjoys trips to Europe, reading, theater, scrapbooking, and spending time with the couple’s four adult children (all in Colorado!) and their adorable grandchildren, Theo & Zoe. For more information about Mimi and her novels: www.authormimi.com
Category: Interviews, On Writing
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