Author Interview: Gail Gaymer Martin

Plug time. What book or project is coming out or has come out that you’d like to tell us about?

In October, readers can find my newest romantic suspense from Steeple Hill single title, Finding Christmas. It’s a fast-paced novel set in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and readers will find a first chapter excerpt on my web site at http://www.gailmartin.com/. In November, the final book in the Loving Series, Loving Tenderness, will be released by Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Philip Somerville’s prodigal brother, Andrew, returns to end the series with an exciting romantic suspense plot.

How long had you been writing seriously before you got “the call?”

I began writing fiction in 1997 and received the call in 1998. One year for a sale is very unusual. I think God said, “Gail, you’re really old to start writing so I’ll bless you fast.”

Tell us about “the call.”

I had submitted a novel to Barbour Publishing for the Heartsong Presents line. I received an email from Tracie Peterson that they loved my writing and wanted me to work for Barbour, but the story was too sensitive for their conservative readers. She asked if had anything else to submit. I said sure—except everything that I’d written recently was already submitted without the notice that it was a simultaneous submission so I found the first novel I wrote. I worked for a week throwing out 25,000 words, tightening the story, using the new skills I’d learned, and praying. I mailed the manuscript, and in eleven days, I received an email that the contract for my first novel, Seasons, was on the way.

My first call from Steeple Hill a year later was amazing. I could barely talk to Patience Smith who offered me a contract for Upon A Midnight Clear. I was walking on clouds.

What’s the best advice you’ve heard on writing/publication?

I was amazed when Karen Ball wrote a two page rejection letter that indicated I had talent but needed to learn some more skills. The main suggestion was pacing. That’s what makes a story a page-turner, and I hope I’ve “done her proud.” Another is don’t give up. Writing takes honing. It takes perseverance, patience and prayer.


What’s the worst piece of writing advice you’ve ever heard?

To be honest, I can’t think of anything. I’ve never gotten a rejection that said, “Get a day job.”

What’s something you wish you’d known earlier on that might have saved you some time/frustration in the publishing business?

Knowing that you can’t be everything to all people. You will never make everyone happy. Don’t let one reader’s negative comments destroy your love of writing. Don’t let one bad review stop your creative juices. A review is one person’s opinion.

Do you have a scripture or quote that has been speaking to you lately?

With God all things are possible (Mark 10: 27) is a Bible verse that seems to appear in many of my stories and in my life. I think it stems from self-doubt and worries that we all have in our writing life as well as our personal life. That Bible verse reminds us that we must continue to have faith and trust that God holds us in the palm of His hand and He has wonders to perform.

Is there a particularly difficult set back that you’ve gone through in your writing career you are willing to share?

Death and serious illness has caused setbacks in my life, as did 9/11. It has drained the creative juices that normally flowed so wonderfully. In the past three years, my mother’s death, my stepdad’s and my nephew’s untimely death have all affected me. My stepdaughter’s fight with ovarian cancer now is a draining experience that keeps my mind weighted with things that are not about romance and happy endings.

What are a few of your favorite books?

Most books written by Maeve Binchy, Anne Tyler, Rosemunde Pilcher, and Christian author Lisa Samson are my favorites. The Lilac Bus by Maeve Binchy stands out in my mind. Songbird by Lisa Samson does also.

What piece of writing have you done that you’re particularly proud of and why?

A book that should be out in 2007, Secret Places, is a book that I’m very pleased with. It’s a romance that borders on women’s fiction, and I love the story. Upon A Midnight Clear, my first sale to Steeple Hill, is another favorite, as is A Love for Safekeeping, a romantic suspense that won numerous awards. And how can I forget The Christmas Kite, which will always live in my heart (this is the one with a movie option)?

Do you have a pet peeve having to do with this biz?

Title changes are probably one of my worst peeves. I tend to weave the title into my story. I use it as a theme, and when it changes, it minimizes the thematic idea. It’s always very disappointing. I also give a lot of thought to titles, and that makes it wasted effort.

Can you give us a view into a typical day of your writing life?

Email takes too much of my time. I have probably 150 to 200 a day and trying to get through them is very trying. I plan to get to my writing computer by 10 a.m. but that’s not always the case with emails that I need to answer. I write until lunch, then exercise for a half-hour, continue to write until dinner. In the evening if I’m on deadline, I will continue to work. Even if not, I will sit with my husband in our den, but I will often be researching on the Internet (our on-line computer is not the one I write on) or doing line edits, reading a book on writing, or doing an interview or preparing a press release or folding brochures, stuffing reader mail envelopes, etc. You get the picture. Writing is a twelve hour a day job for me, often seven days a week.

If you could choose to have one strength of another writer, what would it be and from whom?

Because I like to write suspense, I would love to have the knowledge of the legal system and court system like novelist, James School Bell, who is an attorney.

Do you have a dream for the future of your writing, something you would love to accomplish?

Most writers would love to have a best seller, but my dream is to write single titles, even if they’re not best sellers. I long to have a venue where I can write my stories that don’t fit into the romance genre. I have many in my mind that have grown and could be on paper if I could only find the time.

Was there ever a time in your writing career you thought of quitting?

Never. Quitting isn’t a word I know. I’m very determined, driven in fact, and I will work hard to excel rather than give up.

What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer?

My favorite part is knowing that my stories touch the hearts and lives of readers, so reader mail is also a favorite. I am very touched by those letters and what God has allowed me to do in my writing, which is pure joy for me. The least favorite is probably the pressure. I realize I create part of that by producing so much fiction each year and by doing so much promotion. The hard part for people to understand is that writing in the category genre, an author must have two or three books on the bookseller’s shelves each year or they are quickly forgotten.

Parting words?

Writing is not glamorous and it will not make a writer rich---unless the author is John Grisham or Nora Roberts. Being an author is something that you can’t stop doing. It’s a story eating at your mind and heart until you put it on paper. Write for right reasons, not for glamour or glory, but for entertaining people with stories that tickle their funny bones, garner a tear, give them goosebumps, but always reminds them of God’s mercy, love, forgiveness, and salvation, through Jesus Christ.

Thanks for having me, Gina.