Author Interview ~ Lena Nelson Dooley

Lena Nelson Dooley – author, speaker, mentor. With over 650,000 books in print, she continues to tell her stories with Characters Who Grip Your Heart.

When did you decide to be a writer?

God told me to become a professional writer in May 1984. You can read all about it at the bottom of the main page on my web site: www.lenanelsondooley.com

At what point did you stop juggling suggestions and critiques and trust yourself (as a writer)?

I pray before I look at a critique and ask God to show me what to listen to and what to ignore.

Are you a disciplined writer or do you just write when you feel like it?

Writing is my full-time job, so I write most days whether I feel like it or not.

What kind of activities to you like to do that help you relax and step away from your deadlines for a bit?

I love to spend time with my man. We go walking at the mall or in a store during the winter. And we like to watch a few TV shows.

What is your favorite novel and what made it special?

If you’re talking about a novel I wrote, that’s like asking which of my children is my favorite. I usually answer this question with, “It’s the one I’m working on right now.” Or “It’s the last one I finished.” So right now that would make it Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, which released this month.

I do love this novel. It’s my first 90,000 word novel, so it has a lot plot twists that keep the reader guessing.

How do you think reading the work of others helps you as a writer?

I love reading just for the pleasure, but I know that every good novel I read helps me improve my own writing. By reading well-written novels, the rhythm of the words works its way into my thinking.

Tell us a little about your latest release:

It’s a Heroine in peril, mail-order bride. . .gone awry.

Where did you get your inspiration for Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico?

The idea developed over several years with the story idea morphing into what it ended up being. Many of my books do that.

Which character is most like you?

That’s a hard question. Maybe the heroine, Madeline Mercer. We were both raised in a Christian home and lived protected lives in that environment. And we both rise to the occasion, no matter what happens to us.

Who is your favorite character and why?

I love many of the characters in the book, but probably the hero, Jeremiah Dennison. He’s not a Christian when the book starts, but he’s a good man. His growth was the hardest won in the story.

Did you know how Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, would turn out? Were you surprised by any of the plot twists or characters?

I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer. I know the basic outline of the story, but as I write, it takes many twists and turns. One of the plot twists was suggested to me when I was just visiting with the president of Summerside Press at Christian Book Expo in Dallas last year. It proved to be pivotal to the story.

What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

No matter what happens in your life, God will never, never leave you. He has a plan for your life that you may not discover right away.

What kinds of things have you done to market this book? Have you found anything that works particularly well?

I asked the manager at the Mardel store near me, when I was having a book signing for my Christmas books, if he’d ever considered having a book release party. That led to my first book release party on May 1. I already have several people who are interviewing me about the book. I have an official Fan Page on Facebook, and I’ve been building interest in the book there. I also mention it on my author interview blog, and readers were anxious for it to release. And I feature it in my newsletter on my blog as well as on my web site. I also Twitter about the book occasionally.

Tell us what new projects you’re working on.

Right now, I’m only doing promotional things for this book. My agent and I are waiting for more information from an editor who requested an expanded synopsis for a book in a three book series.

Do you have any parting words of advice?

Seek God first. Make Him the main priority in your life. Take everything you do before Him and listen to Him.

Thanks for visiting with us today, Lena!

For more information on Lena and her work, visit her on the web at:

http://www.lenanelsondooley.com/
http://lenanelsondooleynewsletter.blogspot.com/ - Monthly free book
http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/ - Author interviews/Free books
http://www.bustlesandspurs.com/ - Regular Blogger
www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley - www.twitter.com/lenandooley

Lena is giving away a copy of her book Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico. Be sure to stop by The Borrowed Book on Friday for your chance to win!