INTERVIEW | Gail Martin
By editor on Sep 7, 2006 in Interviews
Gail, describe yourself for our visitors.
If you give me a hammer and screwdriver, look out. I’ll probably destroy something. If you want me to sing a song, write a poem, act in a skit, or cook you a dinner, I’m your lady. Music has always been a great part of my life. I grew up in a home that loved the popular music of the day all the way to opera. I sing with my church choir and as a soloist. I also sing with a renown Christian group in the Detroit metro area. At church I play handbells and handchimes –so besides writing as a form of ministry, so is music and speaking. I’m a keynote speaker to many women’s groups—civic, business, and church. I love speaking and teaching and I love my Lord so they go hand-in-hand.
How do you find time to connect with God?
The Lord and I are connected at all times. I pray throughout the day. My writing leads me to God’s Word as well a the devotionals and the Bible. I’ve never felt unconnected even in stressful times of my life which we had here for the past year since my stepdaughter Brenda, 37, was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. We call on him so often for comfort, strength, and mercy.
Tell us about your current book?
I’ve just completed the third book in the Michigan Island Series, In His Dreams and I’m currently working on my contracted book for Writers Digest on Writing The Christian Romance which will be released in December 2007. After 40 romance novels, most Christian fiction, I’m thrilled to be the author of this book.
How did you come up with ideas for this book?
About four years ago, Lyn Johnson, editor of The Christian Communicator and two other periodicals, suggested I write this type of book since I was doing a writing Christian romance column for the TCC. I put it in the back of my head, but it niggled me constantly. Finally I talked about it with Randy Ingernmanson at ACFW conference a year ago, and he said, “Why not, and go for the big guys. Send it to Writers Digest.” I truly felt lead and was able to begin the book during my recuperation from knee revision surgery in January of this year since I had all my book contracts completed. My agent submitted the book, and within about 5 days, we heard from an editor it was going to the committee. Six days later, I had a sale.
List your three most recent books.
My last three books written are for the Michigan Island Series. As I mentioned, the third book, In His Dreams, set on Beaver Island, has just arrived with my agent. The story of two former in-laws, both widowed, who meet and find something new in each other’s eyes. The book before that, With Christmas In His Heart, set on Mackinac Island will be released this November. It’s the story of a high-powered career woman who goes to the unique island to care for her ailing grandmother while her parents take a cruise to celebrate their anniversary and things happen. On stands this August was the first in the series, In His Eyes, set on Harsens Island, the story of two people having second-chances while stranded on the island due to an ice jamb. This book received an RT Top Pick.
What’s next for you?
After the Writers Digest book, I will do the synopsis and three chapters for the final Michigan Island book, titled In His Arms, set in the Les Cheneaux and Drummond Island area of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The book is presently without story – but I’m working on it. Then I have two more novels to complete for Barbour Publishing—Garlic and Roses and The Butterfly Tree. These two books and a completed novel, And Baby Makes Five, will be released as a Heartsong Presents offering and then combined into an anthology with a California Monterey Peninsula theme. In the near future we will be submitting my novel, Secret Places, a single title to some CBA publishers.
Thanks Gail for your time!
Visit Gail online at her website or blog.
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