ME: If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say? I am a Christian loved by God, and even though I fall short, I’m doing my best to follow Jesus every day.
What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies? I swim three days a week and walk two. I also enjoy flowers and flower arranging, but most of all I love to spend time with my family and friends.
What was your favorite book as a teen or child? Before I could read my mother read The Wizard of Oz to me, and I loved it. As a teen I couldn’t read enough Nancy Drew books.
Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers. Even though I don’t particularly like to cook, I come from a long line of Southern cooks and learned how at age ten. I’m a huge fan of Florida State football, and am so glad to see them coming to life this year. Go Noles. In a world of coffee drinkers, I’m a lover of teas—black tea, green tea, peppermint tea, Earl Grey and on and on. I drink black tea after lunch to keep me humming at the computer.
What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not? My first two books were young adult. I’d had the theme of the first one on my mind for a long time because I knew of youngsters who suffered greatly from not always winning. I wanted to point out the difference in “do your best” and “be the best.” The theme, “You don’t have to be #1 for God to love you” had nagged me so long, I didn’t consider whether or not I wanted to write in this genre. I just wrote the book. The second turned out YA because it is part of a series my ACFW critique group did. For my third book, I wrote a contemporary romance about a woman who has Lyme disease because I have it and lots of people emailed me asking about my treatment. I recorded the symptoms I was having at the time and the therapies I received, but I didn’t want a boring or sad story, so I made it contemporary romance and added a fun rag tag kids’ swim team. This is a long-winded answer, but it’s gotten me to my current genre, mysteries and suspense, the genre I wanted to write all along.
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? Hmm. Probably the one that stings the most is “I didn’t connect with the writing,” but I think as writers we have to tell ourselves we can’t please everyone. One never knows the situation of a person commenting. Perhaps, they might connect in a different time in their life. What has been the best compliment? That’s a toss-up, between a line from the Readers’ Favorite Review of Barely Above Water, which reads, “Gail Pallotta's story...resonates with hope when all hope seems to be gone.” And a statement from an Amazon review of Hair Calamities and Hot Cash, which reads, “Hair Calamities and Hot Cash’ is a fresh, cozy, romantic mystery by Gail Pallotta...every bit brilliant and complete with charm, excitement and wit.”
If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be? Ask more questions. I emerged from a world of writing articles and homemaking to write a book. Knowing I knew nothing to little about writing books, I listened a lot, but didn’t say much, so I ended up misunderstanding quite a bit and stumbling around in the world of book writing. I admire and encourage those who go head first into a new endeavor and don’t stop until they’ve learned all about it. That’s what I would recommend.
What is the most important piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors? Oh, as above, ask questions and keep learning all you can about writing books. If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say? I am a Christian loved by God, and even though I fall short, I’m doing my best to follow Jesus every day.
Here's a little bit about the story:
Laney Eskridge worked to put her husband through dental school. Then he left with another woman. She's on edge from the emotional scars and her parents' deaths. Then she hears unexplained noises in her new tea house, and her anxiety is tripled. Add a budding romance with Eric—a guy with a fear of commitment—and it's all too much to handle. She cuts ties with Eric and plunges into making her business pay off. When Eric discovers that Laney's in danger, he vows to protect her. But can he make a lasting promise? Will she trust him? . . .and when they overhear a threat that could cause national turmoil, will anyone believe them? There's more brewing than herbal tea in Cooking up a Mystery.
Here's a little bit about the author: Gail Pallotta’s a wife, Mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A Reader’s Favorite 2017 Book Award winner, she’s also a TopShelf 2020 Book Awards Finalist. She’s published six books, poems, short stories and several hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums. She enjoys hearing from readers. To learn how to connect with her visit her website at gailpallotta.com
You can buy Cooking up a Mystery : HERE
Leave Gail a comment for a chance to win a copy of Cooking up a Mystery, either print or Kindle. USA readers only. drawing in one week. YOU MUST LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS.
Happy reading! ~ Mary Ellis, Suspense Sisters
nice interview
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
you're my lucky winner of Gail's book. I'll contact you privately for mailing info. thanks for reading Suspense Sisters.
Deleteyou're my lucky winner of Gail's book. I'll contact you privately for mailing info. thanks for reading Suspense Sisters.
DeleteGreat getting to know a new author to me.
ReplyDeleteOnlysis06
Welcome. I look forward to reading your book, and any future books. God bless. :)
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ReplyDeleteHi, Thank you for the stopping by and for the comments.
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