Author Interview and Giveaway with Gail Gurley

Welcome everyone. I would like to introduce Gail Gurley, author of Fearless Hart. She is here today to answer a few questions and give away two e-book copies of her book, Fearless Heart. All you have to do to enter the drawing is leave a comment. Winners will be drawn on October 26th and we will forward each winner a copy of Fearless Heart in whatever format you require for your e-readers. Remember to enter a comment to participate.

Hi Gail, welcome to our blog and thanks for participating. We have asked your readers to comment on your interview for a chance to win a copy of Fearless Heart.

Gail, tell us your latest news.

We have bought my grandmother’s house in Rowan County, N. C. Built by my grandfather in 1905, it remained in the family until 2004. Ed (my husband) and I are currently renovating it with the hope to someday live in it. It’s in very good condition for a 100+ year old house but it needs some TLC and we’re perfectly willing to give it!

Gail, your readers would like to know when and why you began writing?

I always had a dream to write but life forced me to put the dream on hold. After my grandmother’s death followed by my mother’s death and then my father’s, I felt it was time to quit procrastinating and follow my dream. I entered an international short story writing contest I found online and was one of the winners. From that small encouragement, I wrote and published by first book, a short story book entitled Tales From the Sunroom.

Gail, what do you like to do when you are not writing?

I crochet, cross stitch, sew, take trips with a group from our local rec center, line dance, do Yoga and an exercise class. I also work on the house we bought in Rowan County every weekend. And spend many hours loving our two dogs and one cat!

What inspired you to write your first book?

Memories of people I knew and events I heard about as a child.

What do you think makes a good story?

Descriptive narrative and believable, gentle characters with a conceivable plot that is consistent and follows a true timeline. I really don’t like to be reading a story and there is suddenly something inserted that contradicts something else I have read in the same story. Consistency is major in telling a story as readers who are truly enjoying it remember the minute details and components.

How do you want readers to feel after they read your stories?

This is one of the first factors I consider before I begin writing. It is my goal to entertain readers and make them feel good after reading my work. I have no desire to insult, frighten, disgust or offend anyone. There is a place for blood, gore and explicit sex in literature and there is definitely an audience for it but that is not my genre and not my intention to try and write stories with these elements included. I just do not identify with them personally.

What is your favorite character out of all the books you have written?

I love all of my characters, even the unpleasant ones, as there is a place in our world for the angry or offensive individuals. It makes our appreciation for others even more heartwarming and acceptable. I would have to say that my favorite character is probably Molly Fulton featured in my book Fearless Heart. I admire her courage, determination, intelligence and spirit.

What influences your creativity of your characters?

I would have to say it’s the influence of the people in my life as I was growing up in Rowan County, North Carolina. They were humble, gentle, hardworking, honest, down-to-earth people with character, class and bravery. The fact that I was born shortly after our country began to recover from the Great Depression and during World War II also influenced the characters I have developed. Those days left an indelible impression on my psyche and personality, making me more sensitive to the hardships of others and the manner in which they respond to those hardships.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

My latest release is Fearless Heart. I have been overwhelmed by the genuine, positive comments I have received from people who read it. It is one of those “I can’t put it down until I finish it” books and that means a great deal to a writer. It means that no matter how little success the world may think the book realizes, it is indeed successful because it has actually touched someone in a positive and meaningful way.

What are some of the goals and future plans with your writing?

It has been suggested by several readers that I write a sequel to Fearless Heart but that is not a project currently on my radar. With all the work required for the renovation of the home of my heart, it cannot possibly take place at this point. As weeks and months progress, this is certainly something I will look at as a possibility as it remains on my mind, although tucked back into the deep recesses at this point.

                                                            Gail Cauble Gurley, Author

I would like to congratulate our winners, Granny Annie and Sookie22. Please contact me at worldcastlepublications@gmail.com and tell me which format you would like your copies in.