AUTHOR INTERVIEW – MARTHA HOOK

Golden and my old friend, Martha Hook


AUTHOR INTERVIEW – MARTHA HOOK

For our author interview today, I am absolutely thrilled today to welcome for my last interview in the series one of my dearest friends. We met some 40 years ago I think when both of our husbands were directors of Christian conference centers. Oh, my! can it be that long ago? We have become reconnected in the last 8 years or so ago since we both have been writing Christian fiction. Martha is an accomplished educator, speaker, Bible teacher and author. Welcome, Martha!


Don’t forget to leave a comment with your email address below on the blog, between March 10-17, and be entered to win a free, signed copy of Martha’s book, Glory Be! We will announce the winner next week.



Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

I grew up in Dallas TX and went to North Texas State College and SMU. My husband and I married, had 3 daughters and lived in Philadelphia PA ,Wheaton IL , Dallas , Tyler and Longview TX . I taught Literature for two years at a Bible College before our second daughter arrived. Now I live in Tyler TX where one of my daughters and 6 grandchildren live. The other daughters live in Montana and Louisiana with my other 6 grandchildren.



Tell us about your latest book, and how it came about.GloryBe2My latest book, Glory Be!, an historical romance novel, is the first book in The Springdale Series. I kept wondering how an exhausted Civil War surgeon might find a new start. It was a tiny idea that wouldn�’t let me go. So I took the challenge to write this doctor�’s story and the equally compelling tale of the woman he comes to love. Underneath this story runs my effort to follow the struggles of two traumatized people who find ways to recover before our modern recovery resources were available. But most of all, I wanted to show the amazing power of God to heal broken people. I know about brokenness because my own marriage of 40 years failed. Glory Be! is not autobiographical, but I can relate to the pain of Adam and Clarissa�’s story.

I’�d like to share the recent announcement that Glory Be! has won first place for Genre Fiction in the current Writer�s Digest Contest for Self Published Writers. It also won second place for Fiction in the 2014 Christian Writers Contest. To God be the Glory Be!


And it is about time! This is a wonderful read, and deserves these awards. Congratulations!



Share about your genre and why you write in this style.

The genre and style for Glory Be! chose me. The style developed around the demands of the story I wanted to tell. My other other novel, Acts By E-Mail, is told in an epistolary style. It’s about a preacher who writes revealing letters about his congregation. I’�ve also written 4 non-fiction books in the past, one storybook for children and 3 study guides for women�’s Bible Study groups. So I’ve written in several genres and styles.


You are a multi-talented woman, that’s for sure.



What inspires you?

I�’m always surprised when a new idea for a story �happens� in my brain. I know it’�s a gift from heaven because I don’�t normally stress about what would make a good story or plot. If the idea is there, I know to write it down on the spot. This happens with those big ideas where a book begins down to small sentences that will enhance a story. And I pray a lot.



Tell us about your writing process.

My writing process is simple. I start when I have a firm idea of where my story is going and how to get it there. I am committed to writing on my manuscript every day, whether it is a correction or two or several new pages. I do a huge amount of re-writing and self-editing which can be very time consuming. Since right now I’�m self publishing, my only deadlines are the ones I impose on myself.



What are your writing goals?

At the top of my list of goals is to complete The Springdale Series. Currently I�m half finished with Sakes                    Alive!, the second book in the series, which follows the saga of the Norcutt Family. I also want to write down some family stories  that are quite interesting and entertaining.



What do you wish someone had told you about writing?

In college and graduate school I took many courses centered on the great works of literature. These have certainly influenced me in my writing. However, I wish I had taken some specific courses on creative writing. To advance my writing skills, I�’ve taken some helpful courses at workshops and on line.


I wish I had as well. I know it would have been very helpful.



Tell us something about yourself that nobody knows.

All by myself, I killed a deadly coral snake. I was motivated by the verse: �Red and yellow kill a fellow. Red and black is a friend of Jack.� This one definitely had the deadly combination. It was truly a beautiful creature and over 2 feet long. But we were working at a camp for children–end of story.



What hobbies do you enjoy?

Any time I would normally spend on a specific hobby is now taken up in writing. I love to cook, and am a book-a-week reader. I enjoy garage sales, but try not to stop at too many. I may go on a cruise in the fall. I’�ve recently learned to play Mahjongg.


I started playing Mah Jong a couple of years ago to give my brain a rest from writing. But, ahem, I didn’t think I could take off a whole afternoon a week! However after playing for a month or so, I fell in love with the game and play every week.


Where can your readers contact you?


Please contact me through email: mhookdal@sbcglobal.net or you can call me at 903-939-2335.


My novels are available in paperback through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and XulonPress. Glory Be! comes in paperback         or e-book. Acts by E-mail comes in paperback or hard cover.


If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.








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Published on March 10, 2015 13:15
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