An Interview with Lena Nelson Dooley, by Linda Mae Baldwin

Lena writes for Heartsong Presents, and her recent release, HIS BROTHER'S CASTOFF was reviewed by Linda.  She was so impressed she decided to interview Lena.  Let's listen in...


LMB -- When did you start writing romances?

Lena -- Actually, I started my first novel after God told me to become an author in May of 1984. I finished it in six months, but it took me 8 years to get it published. I told myself I wouldn’t give up until I had as many rejections as Gone With the Wind. Margaret Mitchell had 18 or 19.

LMB -- How many books have you published? Who are you published with?

Lena -- At this time I have been published by Heartsong Presents three times. The first in 1993, the second in 2002, the third this year. I also have sold three more Heartsongs and one novella to Barbour. It will be in the Scraps of Love anthology which will come out in October. If anyone wants to see information about me or my books, they can go to www.LenaNelsonDooley.com .
My book that came out in 2002 was The Other Brother. It was voted a top ten favorite by the readers. In 2003, it was bought by Crossings Book Club and came out in a Heaven Sent Series volume titled Cross My Heart in January of 2004

LMB -- How does Heartsong work? How can you get books if you’re not a member?

Lena -- The Heartsong books are available through their book club as well as on their Internet site. www.heartsongpresents.com In January of this year, they started marketing their books to bookstores. I’m not sure which bookstores have chosen to carry them. I know that in some places, Family Christian Stores carry them, but not where I live. Many independent stores carry them. But you can always buy them from the online site or by calling 1-800-847-8270.

LMB -- How many members are in the club?

Lena -- I’m not really sure. I believe that at this time, it is somewhere over 25,000.

LMB -- I really enjoyed His Brother’s Castoff. Where did you get the idea? (For the Other Brother, too.)

Lena -- When I went to Minnesota several years ago to visit my father’s family, my aunt’s told me some of the family history. My father is a second generation American with ancestors from Norway and Sweden. There were a couple of events that happened, one in his father’s family and one in his mother’s family, that got me started thinking. We don’t really have the details of why these things happened, but I wondered about the details. So I made up the story of what could have caused one of the events and worked the other event into the story.

After The Other Brother came out, my friends told me that I should write a sequel. I thought they were just saying that because they were my friends. I thought I probably could come up with a story for Olina’s best friend and Gustaf;s sister Gerda. Then I started getting reader feedback, and they were all exuberant. They didn’t want to let the characters go, and many asked for one or more sequels. I spent a week seeking God and His will for my books. I asked Him if I should write a sequel. He gave me three sequels. He gave me the storyline, characters, conflicts, and scriptures to deal with the conflicts. And Gerda’s book is the last sequel. Of course His Brother’s Castoff, which came out in March, is the first sequel. Double Deception is scheduled for July and Gerda’s Lawman for January 2005,

LMB -- What’s the best thing about writing?

Lena -- I am fulfilling my God-given destiny. A scripture from 1 John 1:4 expresses it best. “These things we write so that our joy may be made complete.” My greatest joy is doing what God made me to do.

LMB -- You’re pretty involved in mentoring writers. Why do you do that?

Lena -- When God told me to become a professional writer, He sent people across my path who helped me whenever I needed it. I am thankful for that, and I want to give back by helping others. There are plenty of writers who don’t write for Him, so I want to encourage those who do.

LMB -- What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever been given?

Lena -- Actually, it came from God. He told me to be obedient to write, and He would cause the words to flow.

LMB -- What’s the best piece of advice you give beginning writers?

Lena -- Be sure that you have established a strong relationship with the Lord. Always keep an open mind to learn from other writers who are stronger in some areas than you are. Be a part of a good critique group.

LMB -- What’s your response to folks who say you can’t have a romance book without sex scenes?

Lena -- God is the author of romance. It is the enemy who has perverted the purity God gave to us. I want to show that there can be a romantic situation with God in the center of it. I believe you can feel the romantic tension between my characters. That’s why I get so much reader feedback about loving the characters and not wanting to let them go.

LMB -- What’s next for Lena Nelson Dooley?

Lena -- I am always seeking God for what He wants me to do. I have sold another Heartsong, that is totally unrelated to the series that will come out in the summer of 2005. I have enjoyed my relationship with Heartsong/Barbour and hope it continues for many years. I’m working on a women’s fiction book that an editor is interested in, and I’m working on the proposal for a non-fiction book. There may be another non-fiction book or two to follow this.

I also speak at women’s meetings as well as writing meetings. I’ve taught at women’s retreats, Ladies’ Night Out, and writing seminars. I’ve been on mission trips in Mexico where I’ve taught women’s retreats and clowned at orphanages. In June of 2004, I will be going to Guatemala on a mission trip where I will clown and work with children of families waiting for medical care in mobile clinics in the mountains.

LMB -- How can people contact you?

Lena -- They can e-mail me at: Lena@LenaNelsonDooley.com or visit my web site www.LenaNelsonDooley.com . They can even write me at: PO Box 54614, Hurst, TX 76054. I mail out occasional newsletters. If anyone wants to receive one, they can contact me in any of these ways and give me their mailing address.

Thanks so much Lena.

Best - LMB