Author Interview: Gail Pallotta

Today I get to welcome Gail Pallotta. She's going to share with us a little about her life, and her book, Love Turns the Tide. This is Gail's first visit to my blog, but I look forward to having her back often and discussing more of her work.

Would you please tell us a little about yourself, Gail?

First of all, thanks for having me, Shawna. I live in Georgia with my husband, Rick. When I’m not writing, I enjoy swimming, reading and walking on the beach. My daughter and I love to bargain shop. We recently went on vacation in Florida. During the hottest part of the day Rick could find us in a discount store trying on shorts, shirts, skirts and dresses. When we tried on something wrong for us, we spent several minutes laughing about it. Even though we only bought one item each day, we had a great time. And, now we have to plan another trip to find something to match the clothes we bought.

When did you first become interested in writing?

I’ve been making up stories for as long as I can remember. In grammar school I put out a newspaper with a friend and worked on the high school newspaper. But, I first thought about writing seriously in college when I took a creative writing class. After analyzing a number of manuscripts I saw that writing is a tool that can be used for good or bad. That was long before I’d heard the word “spin,” but I saw the spin and wanted to use it for good.

Can you tell us a little about the ups and downs on your journey to publication?

In short, the ups are the acceptances and the downs, the rejections. But after writing articles for a number of years I’m happy to see that some have been selected for anthologies and two ended up in museums. When I think back, a couple exciting moments were when two of my poems were recognized. “Country Spring,” was selected for Best New Poets of 1988 by the American Poetry Society and “Thank You God for…,” was reprinted in a book, The Power of One, put out by The Bethany Press in 1976. Most recently in 2004, I received a regional writer of the year award from the American Christian Writers Association at a writers’ conference.

That's amazing! Congratulations. My granddad was an award winning poet and I wonder if you might have ever crossed paths.

How do you approach a new project? Do you research and plot before you write? Or do you have a general idea and just go to it and see where it leads?

I do research and plot before I write, but as I write I add to the plot and characters.

Tell us about your latest release?

In Love Turns the Tide Cammie O’Shea faces a traumatic split-up with her fiancé and has to leave her friends and family to take a new job in Destin, Florida. Heartbroken and alone in a place where she knows no one, she needs God more now than she ever has. But for some reason she can’t explain why she feels more estranged from him. A feature writer, she dreads meeting her new boss, the editor of The Sun Dial newspaper. However, her real source of angst turns out to be Vic Deleona, the influential real estate tycoon she must write about to generate interest in the paper. While she refuses to open herself to another painful relationship he attempts to court her. Even though she sees him as pompous she goes out of her way to maintain a good business association. Trying to get over her heartache, she continues to read her Bible and say prayers. One day she reads Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…” Afterward she ponders how living in Destin possibly could be good for her. Then, break-ins occur at her friend’s condo and her unit, making her doubt the wisdom of living in Destin even more. However, Vic comes to their rescue. He even launches his own investigation into the crimes, and Cammie sees a different side of him. But finally she gets an offer to return home to her old job. Will Vic solve the crimes and win Cammie’s heart or will she leave Destin?

So Cool! That's one of my favorite Bible verses. It reassures us that His hand is in every aspect of our lives. That verse is the reason the sequel to "No Other" is called "In All Things." But nevermind that for now, this is your interview.

So tell us, what inspired you to write this story?

My husband says I’m the only person he knows who can go in the grocery for a loaf of bread and come out with the cashier’s life story. He may be exaggerating, but over the years I’ve heard lots of people’s problems. And, many of them involve love. While I’m aware that some people dated, fell in love and walked down the aisle, I know others who were hurt again and again before they found the right person. I wanted those people to realize they aren’t alone and to trust God to help them find their soul mates.

Can you give us a little history on the characters, including how you developed them, and what endears them to you?

Before I started writing Love Turns the Tide I gave the characters physical traits and made lists of their favorite foods, their activities, their jobs and their beliefs. Their personalities endear them to me.

What do you hope to be able to accomplish through your writing? Any long term goals?
I hope to entertain my readers and add a little something that makes their lives better at the same time. As for long term goals, just keep working to be a better person and a better writer.

Excellent goals! Any ideas for future projects?

I’m currently working on another romantic suspense.

But you aren't giving up any details. Drats!

Well, I always ask a little trivia, so here it goes. What's your favorite movie, food, and place to vacation? And...do you have any other hobbies?

My favorite place to vacation? That’s easy, it’s Destin, Florida. My favorite entrée is fried fish, and my favorite dessert is pecan pie. I hadn’t thought about it until you asked, but I can see my southern heritage coming out in my food choices. As for movies, I like the classics, such as “Lawrence of Arabia,” “The Sound of Music,” and “Dr. Zhivago,” but given my roots, my all- time favorite is “Gone with the Wind.” When I have time, I enjoy making flower arrangements.

Yum! Pecan pie. I've got a great recipe btw.

Other than your book, do you have any recommendations you'd like to pass along? I’d like to say congratulations on having your book, No Other, selected by the American Christian Fiction Writers book club for September.

Why thanks! I'm really excited about that too.

Gail, thanks so much for being here. Your book sounds really wonderful and I wish you much success. May God bless you and your writing.

Gail is giving away a download of her book, Love Turns the Tide. Leave a comment with your email to enter the drawing.

For more about Gail Pallotta and her books here's her website:

http://www.gailpallotta.com/,

And her blog:

http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com/

Publisher’s web site:

http://www.awe-struck.net/