Author Interview ~ Gayle Trent

Gayle Trent is a full-time author and freelance writer who is lucky enough to work from home. BETWEEN A CLUTCH AND A HARD PLACE is her fifth published novel. Gayle lives in Bristol, Virginia with her husband, daughter and son.

Gayle previously worked in the accounting and legal fields, and her last such job was as secretary to a Deputy Commissioner in the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. Though she enjoyed the work, it was a long daily commute and she felt she wasn’t spending enough time with her family. Now she writes while her children are at school; and thanks to a crock pot and a bread machine, can often have dinner ready when everyone gets home.

“I think it’s important to be here for my children…to take part in school functions and to be an active part of their lives,” Gayle says. “I can certainly sympathize with moms who work outside the home—been there, done that—but I would encourage everyone to make time to visit their children’s schools, to have lunch with them [at school] occasionally, to get a feel for who their friends are…little things like that.”

In addition to writing, Gayle enjoys reading (of course!), and crafts (cross-stitch, for one). She loves to hear from readers who can contact her via e-mail at gd830@hotmail.com or via snail mail c/o Grace Abraham Publishing, 13335 Holbrook Street, Suite 10, Bristol, Virginia 24202.




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

When Good Bras Go Bad is the second book in the Myrtle Crumb Mystery series. Myrtle is a sassy, stylish, sixty-something sleuth who usually gets herself into some odd situations before she solves the crime. In this book, Myrtle rises to the defense of her granddaughter who is suspected of being a thief. Myrtle goes undercover in the middle school cafeteria to determine who’s really stealing things at school. You’d think Sunny would be grateful for her grandmother’s help, but it appears she doesn’t want Myrtle’s interference.

The Mourning Ring is written under the pen name Holly Jordan and is a follow up to The Perfect Woman. In this book, Rachel Hollins buys a ring at a flea market. She has the ring appraised and learns it’s a 19th century mourning ring. Believing it once belonged to Claire Marcette, a woman murdered in 1920, Rachel attempts to return the ring to Claire’s family. Doing so gets her caught up in a modern day murder rooted in the past.

Tell us about your journey to publication. How long had you been writing before you got the call you had a contract, how you heard and what went through your head.

In October of 1998, I went to a writers’ conference in Knoxville, Tennessee. There I met Rhea Griffiths of Neighborhood Press Publishing. I participated in a group pitch, and Rhea asked to see my manuscript. Neighborhood Press published PHOTO FINISH in 1999. When I got the phone call from Rhea, I actually felt sick. I felt elated, validated, and then sick. I think I was overwhelmed but also afraid that readers wouldn’t like the book.

Although it had taken two years to write this book, I had actually been writing for about ten years off and on. I’d get discouraged, though, and quit for long periods of time. I remember one book in particular was requested by a large New York publisher. I sent the full manuscript and ultimately received a scathing rejection letter. I ripped the manuscript to shreds and decided I was kidding myself. I didn’t write for three or four years after that.

Do you still experience self-doubts regarding your work?

Every day.

What mistakes have you made while seeking publication?

Giving up too soon. I wonder now if I still had the rejected manuscript I mentioned above, if I would see potential in it or not. It might’ve been pretty good. In fact, my romantic comedy ANYTHING FOR A BUCK was accepted less than a month after it was rejected by two other publishers.

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

After PHOTO FINISH was published, I was participating in a book signing at a writers’ conference seated between bestselling authors Teresa Medeiros and JoAnne Ross. There they were with all their beautiful books, and I had my one little title. I felt like hiding under the table! Needless to say, I didn’t sell many books; but one book I did sell was to Teresa Medeiros. She said, “I want to buy your book.” I asked, “Why?” She laughed and said, “Because I want to read it!” She said, “One thing you have to remember is that we’ve all been where you are.” That was the best advice I’ve ever received on writing/publishing. You have to keep in mind that everyone else has struggled with plot points and editors changing their work and writing the query letters and all those other “necessaries” on the road to publication.

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

Study the markets and write what is selling. I’ve tried to do that and it feels forced and self-betraying. Write a good book…your book. If it’s good, it will sell.

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

Rejection doesn’t mean a book isn’t good. It means it wasn’t right for that publisher/editor/reader at that time.

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

The time after the shredded manuscript was tough. I really had decided I would never write again (because I was obviously no good), but I couldn’t not write. Eventually, I convinced myself to try again…that maybe it was just that book that was a bomb. I would stress to every writer reading this not to let someone destroy their dreams. Rejection hurts like the devil, especially when it’s done by someone tactless and perhaps even cruel, and I know so well how hard it is to bounce back from rejection. It still hurts. If I get a bad review, I’ll remember that reviewer’s words in place of the words of five reviewers who gave a good review. It’s so important to have someone be supportive of you, who can and will lift you up out of the despair rejection can bring.

What are a few of your favorite books? (Not written by you.)

HE STILL MOVES STONES, by Max Lucado
THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, by Sue Monk Kidd
THE RING, by Danielle Steele
THE COFFIN DANCER, by Jeffrey Deaver
JUST ONE LOOK, by Harlan Coben
ONE FOR THE MONEY, by Janet Evanovich

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

I’m particularly proud of the Myrtle books because people seem so receptive to them. Plus, the character is loosely based on my grandmother; so when readers write and tell me, “I love Myrtle!” it’s nice.

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

At the moment, my biggest peeve is that so many people think POD (print on demand) means subsidy published. It doesn’t. POD is simply a print method. Granted, most vanity or subsidy publishers utilize POD technology, but many small presses do, too. Grace Abraham Publishing published their first book using the traditional offset printing method. They had a 2000-book print run and then could not get distribution because it was the company’s first title. To avoid that fiasco and having warehouses filled with books that might sell slowly, if at all, Grace Abraham contracted with Lightning Source to have future books printed. Lightning Source will print as many or as few books as needed, and the company has a distribution system already in place. It’s an ideal way for small presses to determine how a book will do before investing a lot of time and money in it.

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

Gee, I don’t have many typical days. I try to have them, they just don’t cooperate! Still, I’ll try. First thing in the morning, I check e-mail. Sometimes I’ll play a game or two to transition from “business” mode to “creative” mode. If I’m working on a first draft, I write in longhand in a spiral-bound notebook. I like to do that because I can get away from the computer to write. Often, I have to write at night after my husband and children are asleep. If I get stuck somewhere on a plot point, I can then transcribe what I’ve written to the computer. This acts as a first edit and often gets me thinking about what should come next in the story. If I’m really, really stuck, I will actually write down in the notebook, “Now what?” and sketch out various scenarios until I find the one that works best.

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

I’d take Jeffrey Deaver’s ability to surprise. In every book of his I’ve read there’s at least one point where I gasp and think, “I didn’t see THAT coming!”

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

I’d love to get a royalty check in the upper three figures! LOL! Plus, a local theater company had me put WHEN GOOD BRAS GO BAD into play form; and I love for them to put it on. That would be so cool.

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

At least once a week.

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

I have two favorites: getting in “the zone” where you really feel like your story is writing itself and that it’s really good; and meeting people. Least favorite: waiting for the reactions of others after the book is published.

How much marketing do you do? Any advice in this area?

I probably don’t do as much marketing as I should in terms of actually going out to events. Many writers do several conferences, signings, etc. a year. I plan mine around my family and our schedule. For example, I went to Book Expo America in Washington, D.C. in May and took my family. We did some sightseeing on Friday and then went to BEA on Saturday. That will probably be my “conference” for the year. I do, however, try to market with newsletters (I have a free writing newsletter called Writing Up A Storm and a Myrtle newsletter called Myrtle’s Crumbs), Web sites, e-lists, etc. I’m realizing there are things you can do that don’t involve a lot of traveling. There are many talk radio programs looking for guests, writing sites seeking articles (with your byline) and/or author interviews, and newsletters seeking input. I’m always looking for new, inexpensive ways to promote.

Parting words?

In the words of that beloved donkey Eeyore, thanks for noticing me. Seriously, I appreciate your taking the time to consider my books and listen to what I have to say. It’s what all writers are seeking. So, in all sincerity, thank you for your time and interest.