That Lady with a Busy Life. Say Hello to GAIL

Who is our guest this week? She calls herself Gail Sattler, the wife, mother, writer, and musician, and the order of those things, she adds, depend on what day it is.

Gail writes that she is a lady with a busy life, which began with her adventures of musician background from age eight.
Writing would be her next writing passion which has changed somewhat since that early age. She is now more of a romantic adventure.

Gail's newest book A NARROW PATH releases this month through Abingdon Press.

Gail has won a number of awards for her writing over the years, and in 2009 finaled for Best Contemporary Novella in the ACFW Book of the Year contest.

A final word about our friend Gail not always commonly written about in a biography but is always good to know. Though she drives a cheap economy car (according to her own words), her greatest treasure is in heaven, and that is pretty special. (Although a cheap economy car is nice too just not nearly so much as the other.)

To learn more about this unique and feisty musician, writer lady author be sure to drop by her website (the links will be included below) to learn all there is to know about her. 

SDC: Welcome to A Pen for Your Thoughts, Gail. We'll start with how you got your start at writing. Then, we'dl like to know what has been the one thing that's encouraged you to continue in the craft.

GS: The company I’d been working for shut down, so I thought I’d stay home for a while with my kids, the youngest of whom was still in diapers at the time. I thought I’d have a lot of time on my hands, and so I started writing a book. I don’t think I’ve had any free time since.

SDC: Can you remember how many rejection slips you received before you got your first contract? How did you respond when you finally got your first contract?

GS: I’d received probably about a dozen rejection slips, which was only because I hadn’t been writing or submitting long. I got my acceptance by email. I think I squealed and it took about a week for my family to peel me off the ceiling.

SDC: Are you an after draft self editor, or do you edit chapter by chapter? What works best for you?

GS: I do both. I edit by the chapter as I’m writing, but I don’t spend a lot of time on each, because the best edit comes when the book is done and I can read it from start to finish.

SDC: That's a great way, I think, too. What is the one thing that keeps you humble about being a published author?

GS: Rejection letters.

SDC: Those are never fun. But they certainly tell us something. What is your GAIL secret to writing a good book in your opinion?

GS: If I’m bored with writing a scene, the reader will be doubly bored reading it. So if that happens, change something. I wouldn’t call this a big secret, but it works for me.

SDC: How do you respond to the Lord if He tells you that you are going in the wrong direction? (Whether it be with your writing, or even how your mind works creatively)

GS: Most of the time I protest a little, but if the Lord is closing a door, I don’t have any chance but to stop and do something else. It does no one any good, especially me, to hit my head on a closed door hoping that something will change.

SDC: I know few who don't protest somewhat. But I'm glad you don't resort to hitting your head on closed doors. I love the title for your new book. The Narrow Path. I hope you'll tell us a little about it during our time together. Most of the guests here at A Pen for Your Thoughts like to share a copy of their book for one of our fortunate followers who come by. If you wish to take part, that would be great.

GS: Sure, I’ll do a draw for a free copy. But there’s a caveat. I would like everyone who would like to enter their name in the draw to answer this question – why do you want a copy of The Narrow Path – and the answer can’t be just because it’s free. The book won’t necessarily go to the best reply, I would just like the answer before I put your name in the hat.

SDC: Tell lus about your book now. What do you consider the focus of your book?

 And if you were to challenge us to a question about that what would you ask us?

GS: One focus of the book is Miranda doing her best to do the task she’s been given, even though she doesn’t fit in, and probably never will. So my challenging question is, how do you handle it when you are called to do something outside of your comfort zone?

SDC: Good couple of questions for any of us to ponder. Thanks so much. And thanks for coming to A Pen for Your Thoughts. Be sure to let us know where we can find you.

GS: I’m easy to find. My website is http://www.gailsattler.com/. Or my blog is at http://www.gailsattler.blogspot.com/. Or the website I’ve set up for this book is http://www.mennoniteromancenovel.com/  

Okay, friends, neighbors, guests, readers, writers, and all the rest of you. Just by the looks of Gail's book cover this looks like a great book to read. Please note thee questions above that Gail is asking you to respond to. We look forward to your interesting answers. Let us know your thoughts. Don't be shy. And don't forget to leave your email addresses with your names. Thanks so much.

We want to congratulate Cynthia Chow of California! Congratulations...you just won a book. Be watching your mail box in the days ahead. And thanks for following A Pen for Your Thoughts.