Feature RWP Author – Julie Doherty

Let’s get the logistics out of the way – what is your name, where are you from and what is the title of your short story in the Running Wild Press Anthology of Stories Volume 2?

Julie Doherty, Pennsylvania, Justice

What started you on the path to writing? 

I really just wanted to see if I could write a novel. Then, I wanted to see if I could get one published. Now, I want a movie deal. Ha!

How did you come up with the title of your short story? Where did the idea come from? 

The idea came to me at a dog show, when I watched a woman groom a fluffy dog on a table. She fed the pooch treats and spoke to it in the most loving way, yet she berated the hungry child tugging on the hem of her shirt.

If you could give a quick log line for your story in Running Wild Press Anthology – what would it be? 

Lost amid a world of pampered show dogs, Jimmy Don Baker gets revenge with the help of an equally abused rescue dog.

What has been one of the most rewarding experiences of your writing career? One of the biggest challenges? 

I can answer both questions with one word: reviews. Knowing that a reader enjoyed the journey I gave them makes this game worthwhile, but of course, not everyone will like my books. Still, I’d rather have a bad review than no review at all. A lot of readers don’t understand the importance of reviews. Reviews factor into Amazon’s algorithm. Low numbers means low visibility. Readers often claim they don’t know what to say. Just say that you loved—or hated—the book. It’s that simple. And it’s important.

If someone was new to your work, what work should they start with? Why?

The third novel in my series is about to release in August. However, I wrote each of the books to stand alone. I would say if you love stories about reuniting soul mates, start with SCENT OF THE SOUL and work your way through all three. Warning: there is a bad, otherworldly character who wants the heroine for himself. If you prefer sweet historical romance or frontier adventure without paranormal elements, start with SCATTERED SEEDS.

OR Do you have a preferred medium or genre that you like to write in? Short Story, blogs, flash fiction, novel writing, freelance writing? Is your writing comedic, dramatic, thriller etc.

I’m a huge fan of historical romance, but sadly for me, my preferred setting is the French and Indian War period. There just aren’t many titles with that setting, a matter I hope to change. I blame LAST OF THE MOHICANS for my love of Colonial America. Sweet mother of all things fiction, that scene where Alice leaps off the cliff after Uncas dies completely ruined me!

What are you reading right now? 

Okay, you aren’t going to believe this, but the Bible. I’ve been a Christian my whole life, but shamefully, I’ve never read the Bible cover to cover. So, I’m tackling that. There’s good stuff in there and not just from a religious perspective. Mystery, intrigue, romance! I’m also working my way through THE MEMORY KEEPER’S DAUGHTER by Kim Edwards. Very good so far.

What is your writing process – are you a pantser or a plotter?

Definitely a plotter. My last outline was 10,000 words long.

What has been most successful for you in marketing your work? Are you doing anything different for 2018 that you haven’t done before? 

You’re going to laugh. I put a sign in my yard. I think it cost me around $40.00, but my hits and sales went through the roof. Of course, I had to take it down, because I found out you can’t just put up a sign without permission from the township. Oops.

What are you working on next and what is the best way for people to connect with you? 

I finished another romance set in 18^th century Pennsylvania. It’s a finalist in a contest, so I’m sort of waiting to see how that turns out before I query. Here’s the logline: Left for dead by warriors, a frontier widow trades petticoats for breeches to rescue loved ones from captivity, unaware she’s steps ahead of 1,000 provincial guns and about to get caught up in a bloody battle of the French & Indian War.

I’m 20,000 words in on a contemporary romance about a disabled vet who uses a drone to deliver love notes to an old high school sweetheart.

I’m available at:

SITE: http://juliedoherty.com

FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/juliedohertywrites

GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/532434.Julie_Doherty

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Doherty/e/B00T1Z61ZI

TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/SquareSails

Author Bio: Julie is a member of Romance Writers of America and Central PA Romance Writers. When not writing, she enjoys antiquing, shooting longbow, traveling, and cooking over an open fire at her cabin. She lives in Pennsylvania with her Glasgow-born Irish husband, who sounds a lot like her characters.