Getting to know author Maria Hoagland

I have author Maria Hoagland, LDS Novelist, on the blog today, and I'm grilling her with questions!

Book Give-Away: You have a chance to win a signed print copy of Family Size. Go to this link for more details - http://mariahoagland.blogspot.com/2013/02/family-size-giveaway.html  

 

Bio: Maria Hoagland graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in English. She and her husband have three children and have lived in Texas, Missouri, Utah, and Idaho. Maria enjoys watching anything her children are involved in, going to book clubs and lunch groups, long-distance running, walking barefoot in the green grass, and eating raspberries from her backyard. Family Size is Maria’s second novel; her first, Nourish & Strengthen, is also available.

 

Welcome to my blog, Maria. Please tell us about your new book, Family Size.

Family Size is about three women who have very different experiences with fertility—three varying paths to reaching their unique family size. I’m not going to spill it all, but there are Canadian geese and culture shock, marital and medical trials, friendships and faith. It’s humorous, dramatic, touching, and emotional, and I hope, in the end, uplifting.

 

Where did you get your inspiration for this novel?

I’ve always been fascinated by medical issues and what people learn as they endure these trials. That’s why my first book deals with diabetes, and this one with infertility and fetal surgery (I’m sure my next novel as well will have a medical angle to it as well). Know how when women get together, the conversation always turns to labor and delivery? I was intrigued with the different accounts and experiences I heard, and realized that though we each have individualized complications in regards to having children, there’s something universal about becoming a mother and I think any woman will relate to the stories these women have to share.

 

What genre does your book fall under?

Generally speaking, I would say contemporary women’s fiction, but more specifically written for the LDS market. Although there’s not much religion in it, I think it will resonate with an LDS reader best.

 

What other books would you compare your story to within this genre?

There have been a couple LDS books about adoption in the last couple of years, Hope’s Journey and Delivering Hope—both excellent books I thoroughly enjoyed—but mine is the only one that deals with three main characters in three different situations, with adoption as only a part of the storyline.

 

What is your greatest strength as a writer?

Sure, make it hard on me. I’m trying to be humble, here…. I’ve been told that I’m pretty good at portraying women’s feelings and LDS culture. The thing is, I write what I enjoy reading, and I hope that enthusiasm is evident enough that readers will connect with and enjoy my work.

 

Where can readers find you? (Facebook, twitter, blog, website)

I love to hear from readers! Anything—random or not—will do J

Facebook: Maria Hoagland, LDS Author

Twitter: MariaHoagland

Website: mariahoagland.com

Blog: Writing, Running & Diabetes

GoodReads: Maria Hoagland