Thursday, May 27, 2010

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.








13 comments:

  1. I have a really hard time stepping out of my comfort zone sometimes. I'm extremely shy, and it's sometimes overwhelming for me to meet new people. I think any book that explores how to step out of your comfort zone would be a good one for me to read.

    One of the most helpful things for me lately when having to step out of my comfort zone has been to remember Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. That has really helped me to stop balking in social situations.

    srfbluemama[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks so much for sharing this:) I always enjoy interviews.

    My answer? I like to see how other writer's think, and I think that this is reflected in their books.

    Thanks and blessings,
    Karen
    klange61(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm always interested in seeing what others write--especially if it's an area that I'm not all that familiar with. I'm interested to see how these two characters interact since their backgrounds are seemingly very different.

    When I'm called out of my comfort zone, my first instinct is to sit back and want to let someone else take over, but God's called me to do a lot of things out of the norm and grow these past few year--although I may do it reluctantly at first.

    cynthiakchow (at) earthlink (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gail, I read A Narrow Path, and greatly admire your writing style. You did a wonderful job of taking Miranda out of her comfort zone and having her responses be everything from touching to hilarious. Ted, on the other hand (bless his staid little soul!), learned a few lessons of his own, and you did a beautiful job of handling that, as well.

    When I'm out of my comfort zone, I resort to my natural crab-like tendencies, backing into my little shell and hiding from the world. Needless to say, nothing gets accomplished when I do that, so I'm really working on it. I'm peeking out of my shell, a nose-length at a time...but depending on the size of the nose, that could be a pretty big move in the right direction, right? :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. I hate to get out of my comfort zone but it seems like I'm always called to it. It usually means something has to be confronted. I put off as long as I can what I gotta do then I finally take a deep breath and do it. It will be interesting to see how you work it in your story.
    Janice Ian
    jian@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I hate to get out of my comfort zone and as a child and even as an adult until after I got saved was very shy. I kept getting asked to do things in leadership and realized that G-d wanted me to accept and that I needed to. So, I would accept even though I wasn't comfortable doing so.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm really appreciating what all you are sharing. I think it's hard to get out a comfort zone and even say what's on your mind truthfully. But I also think it offers a healing effect to us all. Although I'm not including myself in the contest for Gail's book, I am curious if that is the direction she will go in this story. Life sure has a way of pulling us out of the easy way to live, doesn't it. Would love to hear from more of you.

    Shirley

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have a hard time only if it is certain things. I can do okay in talking to someone but there are other things I can't stand. I guess it really isn't coming out of my comfort zone then but it really is:) I am not a talkative person normally. Please enter me in this giveaway. Thanks!
    esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm very interested in reading The Narrow Path because of the Mennonite theme. Some good friends of mine had to move out of state several years ago and they attend a Mennonite church and seem to love it. I'd love to learn more about that faith.

    Our pastor loves to challenge us to get out of our comfort zones, and I always want to throw something at him! LOL Seriously, I believe it's when we leave that comfort zone that God is most able to use us, and I just try to remember that He will enable me to do that particular task.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'd like to win a copy of The Narrow Path to read myself, of course, but I have also started a Christian fiction library for my youth group (which meets at my house). I'm eager to get the kids started on our genre.

    Thanks!
    Ann Lee Miller
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Please enter me. Thanks!
    Lori

    blessed6mom[at]yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have read Gail's short books in a few anthologies and enjoyed them. I would like to read a longer book from her.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I just read The Narrow Path this past weekend. Fun book that opens a window to a life many not know about or understand. Good read.

    ReplyDelete