Click on the cover to get it on Amazon!
About the author:
In 2000, Gay Ingram published her first novel “’Til Death Do Us Part. This was followed by a second novel, Troubled Times and a history of her hometown, Tracks on the Sand. In 2007, Tate Publishing produced Living With a Depressed Spouse, a personal account offering hopes for others. She has also published, A Stirred Pot, a collection of short stories. Her latest novel, Twist of Fate,was released
in 2010. Past publishing credits include both fiction and nonfiction. Herb Quarterly, Texas Gardener, and Backwoods Home have all carried her work. Her articles on writing have appeared in Writers’ Journal, Fellowscript and other publications.
TR: Good morning, Gay, and welcome!
GI: Good morning, Thomas, and thanks for having me.
TR: So, I read that you first published in 2001. How old were you when you wrote your first piece?
GI: I did not start what I recognized as writing as an activity other than correspondence until I was close to fifty years old. Previous to that, I wrote copious letters to family and friends.
TR: What was it, and in what genre?
GI: My first writings was a collection of essays/devotionals based on what God was doing in my life at the time. A friend generously printed numerous copies, a few of which I actually sold, many have been given away over the years, and I still have a bundle in storage.
TR: What made you write it?
GI: I wanted to share with others the workings of God in my life and the spiritual lessons He was teaching me.
TR: That sounds well worth reading. What have you written since then?
GI: The next phase of my writing career came about as a result of my consuming interest in herbs. I began putting together little booklets about the history of, the growing, and the usage of herbs. This led to producing a bi-monthly newsletter sold by subscription and several articles in national magazines.
A creative writing course at a local college opened up fiction writing for me. I have since published three novels, a history of my home town, a memoir of the years of my husband’s depression, a collection of short stories (now out of print), a collection of essays regarding my father’s experiences with Alzheimer’s and four Shorts available only on Kindle.
TR: What was the inspiration for your current book?
GI: Currently I’ve been fighting for several years with a novel about two women with diverse personalities who were life-long friends and how their lives intertwine. Its inspired by a personal friendship I still have with a high school classmate.
TR: Tell us a little about it, and where it’s available.
GI: All of my novels and Shorts are available on Amazon.com and through my website: www.pineywoodsbooks.com
TR: Very good. Is there a particular place or setting where you get your writing ideas?
GI: I’m an incurable people-watcher and my stories revolve around ordinary people experiencing extraordinary circumstances.
TR: What made you choose either traditional or independent publishing?
GI: I’ve used a variety of publishing venues—from vanity to POD. The only goal I haven’t achieved is to be offered a contract from a traditional publishing house.
TR: If you had to choose the most important element in an author’s platform, what would it be?
GI: Learn the craft. Don’t hesitate to allow someone else to read and evaluate your work. And don’t rush a novel into print.
TR: Great advice! What mistakes have you made in regards to publishing and marketing your work, and what will you do differently in the future?
GI: My biggest mistake is cause by a personality that is not aggressive enough and I don’t think there is a cure for that.
TR: Do you have an idea for your next book?
GI: I have two manuscripts awaiting publication (will probably go with a small press run by a fellow author) and the WIP. Other than that, I stay quite busy blogging three times a week.Everyone can find me at:
(www.venturegalleries.com & www.gayingram.blogspot.com )
There you have it, friends. A little insight into Gay Ingram. I hope you take the time to visit her on her blog, and check out her book on Amazon. My next interview, on Tuesday the 23rd, will be with my friend, Tina Gayle, author of the romance novel “Breath”. Be there!
Another interesting interview. Thanks Thomas and Gay.