[author title=”Hope Toler Dougherty” image=”https://www.almostanauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/toler-275×275.jpg”]Before writing novels, Hope Toler Dougherty published non-fiction articles on topics ranging from gardening with children and environmental awareness to writing apprehension. A native North Carolinian, she likes cheering with her husband, Kevin, for the Pittsburgh Steelers, ACC basketball, and Army West Point Football. Things that make her happy include her four children, writing and receiving real mail, cooking, reading, books, book stores, book clubs, used book sales, libraries, crocheting, and traveling. Things that make her sad include washing dishes, de-cluttering, dusting, sweeping, mopping…[/author]
What is the title of your latest book?
Mars…With Venus Rising
Tell us more about your book:
A meddling horse, paper bag floors and a flying saucer on the town square. The little town of Mars has it all—including a brand new resident who might spell heartache for one of its own.
Twenty-something Penn Davenport yearns for an exciting life in the big city and wants to shed the label of orphan that she’s worn for years. To achieve that dream, she must pass the CPA exam then move away from the two aunts who reared her after her parents died in a plane crash.
When John Townsend—full of life and the joy of living—moves to town, he rattles Penn’s view of herself, her life, and her dreams…which isn’t such a bad thing until she falls for him…and discovers he’s a pilot.
Why do you write what you do?:
My writing journey has certainly been a God-thing. Although I always wanted to write a book, I never dreamed I’d be writing Christian love stories. God wooed my onto this path with my debut novel, Irish Encounter, six years ago, and I’ve trying to walk in obedience ever since.
What are you currently working on?:
Right now, I’m trying to fix some problems in my third story, a romantic suspense set in North Carolina. It has a kidnapping, guns, and a car chase. I began my fourth manuscript this summer. It tells the story of Josie and Ches, a man who is struggling to break free from his father’s vision of his future.
How does your work differ from other work in its genre?:
My first novel, Irish Encounter, is different than other works because it’s partially set in Galway, Ireland. That location made finding a publishing home difficult. Now I’m seeing more novels set in foreign locations, a good thing. I like to use humor in all my stories along with themes of reconciliation, redemption, and hope.
How does your writing process work?:
I try to write every day. I always pray for wisdom, direction, and words.
When I’m writing the first draft, my goal is to write at least fifteen hundred words a day, Monday through Friday. I use Scrivener, so it’s easy to set up smaller goals of five hundred words. That way I can enjoy a sense of achievement sooner rather than later.
In the first draft, I try not to worry about perfect words or dressing for the scenes. I write a lot of talking heads. I just try to get the main story down. If I listen to much to my internal editor, I get bogged down and write even more slowly than normal. During subsequent drafts, I add dialog tags and the five senses.
Social Media and Blog:
http://hopetolerdougherty.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hope.t.dougherty
https://twitter.com/HopeTDougherty
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13941031.Hope_Dougherty
https://www.pinterest.com/hopetdougherty/
Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Mars-Venus-Rising-Toler-Dougherty/dp/1611164982/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8
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