When did you decide that you would be an author? Was it something you fell into, felt called to?

I can’t remember not writing. My first published work appeared when a friend and I put out a newspaper in grammar school. I didn’t think about it as a career until I attended a small college. An English professor who was also an award-winning poet and writer started a creative writing program, and I enrolled. Then I decided I wanted to be an author. After I graduated I worked as an editor of magazines. After I married I helped my husband with his business and wrote freelance articles. Now the family’s as settled as a semi-retired husband and grown daughter can be, and I’m writing books.

What’s your pet peeve?

In regards to writing, it’s hassling with the computer.

What was your most embarrassing moment as a writer?

When my daughter was a baby, a magazine editor I’d contacted called and asked me to come for an interview. I agreed on the spot to an afternoon appointment that day. I found a babysitter with no problem and fished out clips of my published articles. Then I realized I had no briefcase. I rummaged around the house and found a small picnic basket my husband’s friend had sent us for Christmas. I pulled out the napkins and glasses that came with it, packed my articles and left.

When I arrived at the editor’s office, I sat the basket on my lap.

A distinguished looking man about ten years older than me, he leaned forward and peered at it. “Are we having a picnic?”

(Note: I ended up writing many articles for him in spite of my makeshift briefcase.)

What has been your most difficult challenge as a writer?

Finding the right advice for my writing and the right place for my work.

How do you process rejections and / or negative reviews?

Unless a rejection comes with a nice note or recommendations for how I can improve the manuscript, I just throw it away or delete it and tell myself it was the wrong market for my book. I remind myself of all the articles I’ve seen about some great books being rejected numerous times. When I receive a nice note, I’m grateful. I’m also thankful when an editor sends recommendations. I take them very seriously and put them to good use.

I’ve heard lots of discussion about negative reviews. I hate to revert to something so simple, but I was raised to either say something nice, or not anything. When I see a negative review of someone else’s work I place no value on it. If it’s my work, it’s upsetting, but I tell myself it’s only one person’s opinion. As far as conversations I’ve heard about writers learning from negative reviews, I’ve learned from editors, conferences, seminars, co-workers, critique partners and critique groups.

What do you feel is the best success so far in your writing career?

I wonder if I’m supposed to name a particular accomplishment, such as recognition for some of the articles I’ve written, a contest won, or finding a good publisher—all of which are successes in my mind. But I believe the biggest one is knowing I’ve mastered a particular aspect of writing I’ve been trying to learn, and then mastering the next and the next, so on and so forth.

What would be your top three pieces of advice to newer, up and coming authors? Learn all possible about the craft. Write from your heart and never, never give up. Learn to be bold about promoting.

As a Christian author, what would you like your legacy to be?

I wrote entertaining stories that shared slices of life affected by faith that inspired others.

What is your current work in progress?

I have a contemporary romance, Barely above Water, releasing soon with Prism Book Group. In the book an illness comes out of nowhere and strikes Suzie Morris. Her boyfriend dumps her. She has no living family, and her physician can’t diagnose the malady. She turns to a renowned alternative doctor in Destin, Florida, and takes a job coaching a county-sponsored summer league swim team. She’s determined to turn the fun, sometimes comical, rag-tag bunch into winners. Her handsome boss renews her belief in love, but learns of her mysterious affliction and abruptly cuts romantic ties. Later he has regrets, but must overcome his fear of losing someone close then regain Suzie’s trust. She relies on her Christian faith as she faces the uncertainty of the disease, financial burdens without permanent employment, and heartbreak.

Social Media links:  Web site – http://www.gailpallotta.com

Blog – http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore

Twitter – https://twitter.com/Hopefulwords

My latest book release is Mountain of Love and Danger.