GATEHAVEN Endorsement 1: Lena Nelson Dooley

Gatehaven by Molly Noble Bull was endorsed by best-selling author Lena Nelson Dooley.

Here is what Lena had to said about Gatehaven.   

A dark, gothic novel with interesting characters and a strong Christian thread woven through it. Gatehaven is a wonderful read for lovers of gothic novels, and I am one. Thank you, Molly Noble Bull, for this page-turner.

—Lena Nelson Dooley is the multi-award-winning author of the McKenna’s Daughters Series and Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico   


Find Gatehaven at Amazon.com. 

http://bit.ly/Gatehaven  

LENA NELSON DOOLEY'S NEWEST NOVEL

                                                                

by Molly Noble Bull

http://www.mollynoblebull.com/

                

Today I am interviewing Lena Nelson Dooley from Hurst, Texas, a multi-published author as well as an old friend. Lena writes Christian fiction. Welcome, Lena, it's great to have you here.   

“Thank you, Molly. It’s my pleasure.” 

“I just bought a copy of your newest novel, Maggie's Journey, and can hardly wait to read it.”

Maggie's Journey by Lena Nelson Dooley

“So, tell us about Maggie's Journey.” 

Lena:  

Maggie has grown up an only child. Her parents came west on the Oregon Trail, and finally settled in Seattle, Washington Territory. In 1885, near her 18^th birthday, Maggie finds information that turns her world upside down. She journeys to find the answers about this information and discovers what’s really important in life and love.

Molly: 

Sounds great. Now, briefly tell us about each of the other books in the series. Are these books connected in some way? If so, how?

Lena:  

My McKenna’s Daughters series is about identical triplets who are separated at birth and the different directions their life paths take. The girls are close to their 18^th birthday before they know they have sisters. Books 1 and 2, Mary’s Blessing, are about the girls who were adopted. Book 3, Catherine’s Pursuit is about the girl the father kept. There are a lot of issues that have to be dealt with as well as the search for their sisters.

Molly: 

Now I really want to read the books in this series.

So, Lena, tell us a little about your Christian walk. 

Lena:

I was raised in a Christian home. Accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was seven years old. As I traveled toward adulthood, I made many mistakes, but God never took His hand from me. In my twenties, I had a dynamic experience with the Lord that strengthened my walk with Him. I can’t imagine not having Him as the focal point of my life. He has taken me to many amazing places both physically, spiritually, and in my career.

Molly: 

What is your web address? Who is publishing your book? And how can we get a copy?

Lena:

My blog is http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/ . There are tabs at the top of the blog that take you to pages that tell about me and my books.

The McKenna’s Daughters series was contracted by Realms, the fiction line at Charisma Media. I’ve also signed another 3-book contract with them for after this series is finished. The books are available in Christian bookstores, at Barnes & Noble, and on other websites, such as Amazon.com and Christianbooks.com. The titles come in print and as ebooks.

Molly:

Great. How do you decide where to set your novels?

Lena:

When I wrote for Barbour Publishing and Summerside Press, the publisher pretty much chose the settings, but I did have input into the choices. With the Realms books, I’ve chosen the settings myself. McKenna’s Daughters books are set in Seattle, Little Rock, Oregon City, Portland, and San Francisco.

With the next series, the first book starts in Colorado, but books two and three are set in Texas. I’ve only had one other book that was completely set in Texas—Wild West Christmas.

I’ve visited or lived in some of the places where I set the books. In others, I do a lot of research to make the setting authentic to the time period, whether it’s historical or contemporary.

Molly:  

Thanks again for coming by, Lena. And come back real soon.

Lena:

Anytime, Molly. I always enjoy connecting with you and your readers.

Molly:

To find Lena's books in bookstores or online, write Lena Nelson Dooley in the search slot.

*

Molly Noble Bull’s first non-fiction book, The Overcomers: Christian Authors Who Conquered Learning Disabilities, will be published by Westbow Press in early 2012. Besides Bull, the book is by Ginny Aiken, Margaret Daley, Jane Myers Perrine and Ruth Scofield, and all five are Love Inspired authors.

Brides and Blessings, Bull’s modern day western set in Texas, came out from Love Inspired in paperback and is now also available as a kindle e-book. Click below to learn more.

http://www.amazon.com/Brides-and-Blessings-ebook/dp/B0056I1C9Y/ref=sr_1_3_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318719813&sr=1-3 

Please scroll down and continue reading Molly's articles on the roots of our Christian faith. 

 

What I Learned in the Trenches

Tips on surviving the ACFW writers' conference
Posted by Teresa Slack
www.teresaslack.com
I finally did it. After much inner debate and rechecking the balance in my checkbook I registered for the ACFW conference to be held this September 22-25 in St. Louis. I attended last year, a little overwhelmed and out of sorts. This year I vow to get more out of the experience.

The thought of meeting with editors shouldn't cause any undo stress. Your idea will either resonate with them or it won’t. Every story idea doesn’t appeal to every editor. Nor will it fit every current need. It’s not a statement on your worth as a writer. It’s just a matter of fact. If you’re going to the conference and freaking out over how to approach editors or your dream agent, remember they are people doing a job who really, really, really want to see you succeed. If you succeed, so do they.

Last year, besides equipping myself with beautiful one-sheets and fortifying doses of chocolate, I made note cards on each of the editors present at the conference (Didn’t do this with agents since I am already agented by the fantastic Terry Burns.). If they were interested in romance, I wrote that down. If the editor was a dog person, I made sure to tell her about my heroine’s animal rescue endeavors. If he liked military heroes, I made sure to mention that my hero was just home from Iraq. When I met an editor over lunch or during a face-to-face meeting, I knew at a glance what they liked and if I could supply it or not. No use belaboring an editor who deals only in romance with an extensive outline on my gothic thriller.

I added to my note cards throughout the conference during late night chats and at every opportunity. No telling when this little nugget may come in handy.

Be well read in what you write. Several times an editor asked me who or what my work could be compared to. The example I used was from a popular secular fiction series. Both editors recognized it (hard not to notice books that sell in the millions) and appreciated my comparison.

The most important bit of advice I can give myself and you too—relax and have fun. Last year I was too worried I wouldn’t get enough out of the conference. Consequently I don’t believe I did. This year I’m going to look harder for those God appointments and not freak out about over-scheduling every minute of the day.

Hope to see you there. I’d love to hear your advice for conference goers or questions if you haven’t been yet. Definitely take time to meet other writers. That’s the best part. My hit pick for Miss Congeniality—Lena Nelson Dooley. She rocks. If you see her, give her a hug and thank her for everything she does for nervous, first-time attendees. You’ll be glad you did.