Lena, welcome
to my Christmas series of Writers on Reading. I’ve been looking forward to
these interviews like—well, excuse the cliché—but a kid at Christmas! You’ve
been busy! Your recent Christmas story, A Texas Christmas, is a novella collection
with other authors. You also have a devotional in 21 Days of Christmas, a
book that would be a wonderful devotional to use for Advent. And a novella in
the collection Warm Mulled Kisses, that released in October. That makes
three Christmas themed books this year! You even took the responsibility to be the
publisher for WMK, because it’s getting hard for new authors to be
published.) So…what is your favorite part about a Christmas-themed story?
I actually like all kinds of Christmas stories. For a
novel or novella, I prefer that they have a romantic thread, but for short
stories, they just need to have a spiritual or redemptive theme.
What do you
look for when selecting a Christmassy novel or novella to cozy up with this
month?
I’ve read several Christmas novels and novellas
already this year. I do like for them to have strong internal/external
conflicts that are worked out maybe in an unexpected way.
Yes! Nothing
better than that in a novel or even real life. I don’t know about you, but many
of us associate this season with traditional baking. I don’t think a Christmas
novel would be complete without those special scents floating around in your
head. What are your favorite Christmas goodies to read or write about?
I like Christmassy drinks—hot chocolate, spiced cider,
etc. And I love homemade fudge and other candies.
Mmmm. Hot
chocolate sounds ideal about now. Is there an element of these books that you’d
feel cheated if it wasn’t there? Or something special you like to add to your
Christmas stories?
Someone realizing that they haven’t understood the
real meaning of Christmas, that Jesus came to earth to bring peace, joy, love,
as well as salvation to them personally.
Beautiful! As
far back as you remember, what was the first Christmas-related fiction story you
I’m sure I can answer this one. I’m so far from the
early Christmas for me and for my children and grandchildren. I do need to
hear/read about the first Christmas both from Luke and Matthew.
What is on
your Christmas fiction to-read list this year? And what is your ideal Christmas
reading experience?
As I said, I’ve already read a number of Christmas
novels and have more sitting on my table waiting for me. I loved Dan Walsh’s Keeping
Christmas and Cynthia Ruchti’s An Endless Christmas. And I’ve read a
couple of the Barbour Publishing novella collections. They are always good.
Over the
years, has any Christmas novel or novella really stuck with you that you’d like
to share with our readers? And is there one you’re looking forward to
rereading?
The two I gave the titles of in the last answer. They
are both stories that should be read again and again. Also, Dan’s book, The
Unfinished Gift from several years ago.
Excellent
recommends! Thanks so much for sharing, Lena! Folks, you can continue to
connect with Lena—and find out more about her books at the links below her bio.
And psst, Cynthia Ruchti—recommended above—visited us during this Christmas
Series. If you haven’t already, drop by and read her Christmas stories while
you’re here!
Award-winning author Lena Nelson Dooley has had more than 800,000
copies of her books sold. She is a member of American Christian Fiction
Writers http://www.acfw.com/ and the local chapter, ACFW - DFW. She's a
member of Christian Authors' Network, CROWN Fiction Marketing, and
Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.
Thank you so much for hosting me on this blog. It is fun!!!
ReplyDeleteLena, it was a delight getting to share your Christmas Reading!
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