Gail is an artist in the sense of a good murder mystery with a large dose of love and romance. Her tales are filled with intrigue and fun. What an awesome gift to have in a writer. Check out her website www.gailpallotta.com for a list of her wonderful books. There’s not much better than a writer who pours her heart into her works. Thank you for the interview Gail. You are awesome!

When you first found out you were getting published, how did it feel? 

As a student in college in a professional writing class, my assignment was to submit something I wrote for publication. I decided on a poem. When it was published, I was amazed, but thrilled beyond the moon. 

 When you opened your first box of books, who was the first person you called to tell them it had arrived, and why? 

I published articles for many years before I ventured into the world of book publishing, even though it had been a dream of mine. My husband and a cousin had encouraged me to attempt a book. When the published copies arrived, I immediately showed them to my husband and called my cousin.  

Are your characters created from people you know? 

I create characters by giving them a personality, a profession, a goal, flaws and good points then I put them in a situation or two and let them journal until I become well acquainted with them. I imagine there are bits and pieces of people I know or have observed in each of them, but none of them are one particular person.  

How long does it take you to write your novels?  

It doesn’t take long to get a first draft, but I keep re-writing. I like to take a long time to sharpen my characters and plot. I’m in the midst of writing a three-book series, with a book due every six months. I got the second one, Dangerous Detour, finished in time for my publisher to get it out in seven months. I’ve made that a goal for my third one.  

If you could be married to one of your characters, which one would it be?  

Nick Lancaster. He’s in Hidden Danger, Christian Romantic Suspense, Discipleship Series Book 1. He’s also in book 3, the one I’m working on now.  

How old were you when you wanted to write and get published?

I was a college student, nineteen or twenty years old. I had written stories for as long as I could remember, but didn’t consider publication until I took a professional writing class. 

Who is your favorite author, and did they have a part in why you are now published?  

It’s hard to choose a favorite author. I enjoy reading lots of genres by many authors. As far as writers who played a part in why I’m now published, there are two. My professional writing teacher, William Paulk, encouraged me to write. A wonderful writer, he won quite a few awards including a nomination for the prestigious Pushcart X award with small presses. Josephina Niggli, who taught at the college, helped me a lot with dialogue. She enjoyed a career in the U.S., and in England as a play and film writer. To add a bit of interest, Ms. Niggli didn’t like comma rules. She said commas should only be used when someone needed to take a breath.  

What is your heart’s desire when it comes to being famous? 

I haven’t considered fame per se. My heart’s desire is for people to read and enjoy my books. 

Do you set goals for the length of your novels and how many you’ll write in your lifetime.

I try to stick to the length the publisher wants and haven’t thought about how many I would write in my lifetime. My current goal is to write the ones in progress, either partially finished, or floating around in my head. 

Do you ever stop in your tracks and write down or record your ideas for your scenes.  

Yes, when I have an “ah-ha” moment about something I’m writing, I jot down a few words to jog my memory for later. 

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