Gail is a fellow Black Rose Writing author, and writes in both contemporary and historical fiction, while I write in thriller-crime-mystery. Gail is married, a mom to two adults and two feline fur babies, and lives on a lake in Central Massachusetts.
Gail was a marketing major, has her MBA, and spent sixteen years working in the telecommunications industry before becoming a college professor for the past twenty years. She retired from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts three years ago, but continues to teach college courses online in marketing and business communications. In her spare time, she enjoys water sports, travel, entertaining, reading and knitting. And of course, writing.
Her book, Katharine’s Remarkable Road Trip will come out 6/13/24, so at this time, she doesn’t have a preorder link. But I hope this doesn’t stop you from discovering who this wonderful author is, and I hope this interview sparks your interest in her upcoming book.
What was it that made you decide you had a story to tell and to become an author?
A family trip to Sedona, AZ was the inspiration behind my first book Jeep Tour. It’s a truly magical place and the people I met all seemed to be transplants and on their second or third career and/or marriage. I imagined that if you were seeking a fresh start, Sedona would be the place to go. I started picturing this newly divorced college professor who just lost a bid for tenure and thought, ‘she needs to start over in Sedona!’
As an author or writer, what sets you apart from others?
I have been told that my characters feel authentic and that my dialogue is realistic.
How do ideas for your stories present themselves? How do you know what story lines to follow and which to ignore?
For me, it all starts with the main characters. Before I get too far into the storylines, I have done a thorough character analysis. That helps me to know if she would do that or if she would ever go there. I let my characters decide!
What genre do you write, and why?
I write both contemporary and historical fiction. All of my main characters are women in search of a do-over, a happy ever after. I personally enjoy a good second chance story and I love to explore the struggle, the journey we go through in our lives.
Besides writing and telling a good story, do you have any other talents?
I love to entertain family and friends for holidays and especially summer cookouts. The more the merrier! I also knit hats, scarves, and baby blankets, most of which I donate to shelters and hospitals.
If you were to name one or two books that you deem unforgettable and that had a major impact on you, what would they be, and why?
My first ‘big’ book was Gone with the Wind. I think I was maybe eleven or twelve when I read it for the first time. I was mesmerized by the story and the characters. Then came Trinity by Leon Uris and The Thorn Birds. Sweeping sagas, multiple storylines, and I was hooked.
What authors do you read regularly? Why?
I enjoy a variety of authors and genres, but I have found that you can never go wrong with Stephen King, Dennis Lehane, Karin Slaughter, Michael Connelly, and Elin Hilderbrand. Most of their books are character driven and set in interesting locales and time periods.
If you were to have dinner with 5 individuals living or dead, who would they be and why?
Stephen King, John Lennon, Michael Stipe (REM), Dennis Lehane and Michael Connelly. To be surrounded by these amazingly talented and creative artists would be such a thrill. I would follow it up with a dinner with Alanis Morrisette, Elin Hilderbrand, Karin Slaughter, Joni Mitchell, and Eleanor Roosevelt. All inspiring and accomplished women. That would be amazing!
What is your writing routine? When you write, do you plan or outline ahead or are you a “pantser”?
I’m a hybrid- I like to have a general plan in mind but tend to fly by the seat of my pants when a character speaks to me. I’m usually about two-thirds of the way in before I am certain of how the story will end.
When writing, how much do you read? Do you read in or out of your genre?
I read two or three books a week whether I’m actively writing, involved in edits, or just dreaming of my next title. I love thrillers, police procedurals, historical fiction and beach reads. I’m in and out of my own genres all the time.
What tips would you give to new or even experienced writers?
Read everything you can in your genre. Stay current with trends, social media, consumer behavior. Write the book you want to read, but if you want to sell more than a few copies, learn what your readers want to read as well.
How did you “teach” yourself to write or did it just come naturally? What lessons would you pass on to others?
I like to think my more recent books are ‘better’ or more polished than my earlier works. I learned by trial and error, by working with amazing editors, collaborating with other authors, and continuing to read both in and out of my genre(s). I recommend hiring the best editor you can.
How do you handle a negative critique?
I could respond by asking ‘What are negative critiques?’, but who am I kidding? I eat ice cream and binge watch Sons of Anarchy. I try to find something useful in a negative review, but the ones that say ‘I don’t normally read this genre and therefore I’m giving it two stars’ leave me scratching my head.
Is there a type of writing/genre that you find difficult to write? Why?
Physical movement is challenging for me. I can spend far too long trying to write a few lines describing how the main character goes outside to check the mail. She stood, turned the doorknob and, opening the door, stepped out onto the porch. Aarrgghh! I debate every action that could be taken and stress over every word. Dialogue flows easily for me, but blocking a scene makes me crazy.
How important are the elements of character, setting, and atmosphere to a story, and why?
At the risk of repeating myself, characters are the key to a story. That being said, could Jeep Tour be set anywhere but Sedona? No way. I wrote my third novel Driving on the Left following a trip I took to Ireland with my daughter Hayley. The setting is very important and, in some cases, actually becomes a character of its own.
Do you see yourself in any of the characters you create? How/Why?
When my husband read Jeep Tour for the first time, he told me that reading the character of Jackie Sullivan was like seeing inside my head, but in a good way. Yes, there are bits and pieces and even huge chunks of ‘me’ in my characters. It is cathartic and scary at times, but it’s rewarding and way cheaper than therapy!!
Is there an unforgettable or memorable character that will not leave your head, either of your own creation or from a book you’ve read?
In my second book, Guessing at Normal, Jill Griffin is working at the front desk at a two star motel when she meets an up-and-coming musician in the lobby. This story was inspired by my college days doing the same sort of job when the unknown Dan Fogelberg and his band checked in. Jill falls for rocker James and joins him and his band on tour and quickly learns that life with a rockstar is anything but normal. I loved watching her character grow and evolve and decided she needed a ‘happy ever after’, so I wrote a sequel, Second Guessing.
Tell us about your most recent book. How did you come up with the concept? How did you come up with the title?
My upcoming book is Katharine’s Remarkable Road Trip (6/13/24) It is biographical fiction, based on the life of a minor character from Landscape of a Marriage. Katharine Prescott Wormeley was a lifelong friend and confidante of landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Born into affluence in England, she became a Civil War volunteer nurse, hospital administrator, author, philanthropist, and translator of dozens of novels by French authors, including Honore de Balzac and Alexandre Dumas. Fiercely independent and never married, she is included in History’s Women: The Unsung Heroines; History of American Women: Civil War Women; Who’s Who in America 1908-09; Notable American Women, A Biographical Dictionary: 1607-1950and A Woman of the 19th Century: Leading American Women in All Walks of Life.
Rather than writing a standard biography, I sent her on a week long road trip between her homes in Newport, Rhode Island and Jackson, New Hampshire in the fall of 1907 at the age of 77. Along the way, she receives a marriage proposal, pulls an all-nighter, saves a life or two, crashes a high-society event, meets a kindred spirit, faces a former rival, makes a new friend, takes a stroll with a future movie mogul, advises a troubled newlywed and reflects upon a life well lived; her own! I am excited to share her story!
I hope you enjoyed this interview, and I hope you check out Gail’s publisher books, as well as her upcoming book, Katharine’s Remarkable Road Trip.
Find other entries in my Meet the Author interviews on https://www.jrlewisauthor.com as well as each of my nine books and both blogs. I welcome your thoughts and comments, so please use the comment section below. As always, thank you for following along on my writing journey.
Connect with Gail on Social Media:
Website: gwolmstedauthor.carrd.co
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/gwolmsted
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gailolmstedauthor
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/gailolmsted
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwolmsted
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8158738.Gail_Ward_Olmsted
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