Author Interview with Lori Hatcher

Love Lines from God welcomes author, Lori Hatcher, to our website today. 

Welcome, Lori. Tell us when you decided to become a writer? In other words, what made you actually sit down and write something?

I grew up on the rocky shores of Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. As a teenager, I’d sit along the shore and write long poems of unrequited love. Those remain unpublished. I served as the editor-in-chief of my high school newspaper, but when I considered a career in writing, my guidance counselor wisely said, “It’s hard to make a living as a writer.” I chose to go into dentistry instead. I’ve been a dental hygienist for thirty-five years now. What I didn’t know at the time was that the Lord was providing a day job so I could later pursue my love of writing.

Every writer is eventually asked this question, but where do your ideas come from?

After my first book released, a patient said, “Oh no! You’re not going to quit being my dental hygienist, are you?”

“Absolutely not,” I said, “where else would I get my material?”

Seriously, an occasional dental patient does show up in one of my devotions, but most of my inspiration comes from my daily Bible reading. For years, I’ve read through the Bible every year, and my last two book concepts and material have come from that practice.

Why do you write what you do?

I am a busy woman: pastor’s wife, healthcare professional, daughter, mother, grandmother, friend, and church member. I love God, but I struggle to find time for Bible reading and prayer. My goal is to write five-minute devotions to help other busy women connect with God in the craziness of their day.

What is the hardest thing about the creative process of writing?

Guarding my writing time. I’m easily distracted. Fingerprints on the window. Dirty dishes in the sink. Cute pictures of my grandchildren on Instagram. Just about anything has the power to lure me away from my writing time.

If you’re a Christian, what are the challenges you believe Christian writers face now and in the future?

The world is becoming less and less tolerant of biblical truth. Believers all over the world are suffering persecution, and it will come to us. We need to decide today that we’ll stand for truth, even when it costs us something. We need to be bold AND winsome as we speak and write, to speak the truth in love, but not shy away from speaking the truth because we fear the backlash.

If you would, please tell us what was the hardest thing about writing your last book? How long does it typically take you to finish your books?

The hardest thing about writing Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible was writing the chapter on Jonah. I had submitted the manuscript well before our family vacation to the mountains of North Carolina and was looking forward to relaxing. Both daughters, their husbands, all the grandkids, and even the granddog were there. 

In the middle of a rousing game of Exploding Kittens, I got a notification from my editor. “You promised uncommon devotions, and this chapter is not uncommon.” 

Jonah is such a short book (only four chapters) and so familiar! I made a second attempt and sent it to her. She sent it back. I wrote a third. That one came back too. Finally, after thinking and praying deeply, I managed to write a message that was uncommon, yet true to the biblical narrative. Now it’s one of my favorite devotions in the entire book.

It usually takes me about a year to write a book.

Name your three biggest frustrations about the writing business.

Building a writing career is a terribly slow process. (I like quick.) You cannot do it on your own. (Networking doesn’t come naturally to me.) Talent isn’t enough. You must have self-discipline and diligence, too.

On the flip side, what excites you the most about the creative process?

I love it when I read something I’ve written and see God’s fingerprints all over it. I know the most beautiful parts are His, not mine. It’s a joy to work in partnership with God and see how He takes my meager offerings and transforms them into something that has the power to inspire readers and help them fall in love with God and His Word.

What are you reading now, and who are a few of your favorite authors and why?

I’m reading within my genre, Lisa Tyrkerst’s devotional, Embraced. I’m reading for fun, Tammie Jo Schulz, Nerves of Steel. And I’m reading for inspiration, Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest.

Could you give our readers your buy links?

Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible (Our Daily Bread Publishing)  https://amzn.to/2S7IAnz

Hungry for God … Starving for Time, Five-Minute Devotions for Busy Women https://amzn.to/31uyvUy

Bio

Lori Hatcher is the author of several devotional books including  Refresh Your Faith – Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible, with Our Daily Bread Publishing, and Hungry for God … Starving for Time, Five-Minute Devotions for Busy Women , the 2016 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year. The editor of Reach Out, Columbia magazine, she’s also a blogger, writing instructor, and inspirational speaker. Lori’s goal is to help busy women connect with God in the craziness of everyday life. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God. . . Starving for Time . Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@LoriHatcher2), or Pinterest (Hungry for God).