Welcome to Talkshow Thursday. I'm pleased
to welcome Gail Kittleson, author of In
This Together, published in
November, 2015. Be sure to visit the links at the bottom of the post for more
information about Gail and where you can purchase her debut novel.
LM: You taught writing, when did you realize you wanted to write
fiction and get published?
GK: In 2008, when I facilitated some groups through The Artist's Way.
The third time through that wonderful, creative, freeing workbook, a historical
fiction story spilled out of me. Amazing. I highly recommend EVERYONE taking
the time to work through that very helpful gift to the artistic world!
LM: Where did you get the idea for your story?
GK:
Dottie came to me in the upstairs of a big old house. I was
standing in the long hallway, thinking . . . "Hmm, this could've
been a boarding house back in the day, and someone could have worked here. That
would be Dottie, the heroine of my novel. And as I visualized Dottie walking to
and from her job every morning and late afternoon, Al appeared, a lonely
widower watching her, thinking how strong she was, and wishing he could somehow
win her heart.
LM: Are any of your
characters based on real people?
GK:
Not consciously. But as I've been interviewed and led book
discussions since the release of In This Together, I've realized that Dottie is
VERY MUCH like my mom. Her forties' songs, her hard work, and her
plunge-ahead-no-matter-what-happens attitude certainly live out in Dottie's
story.
LM: What was your research process for the book?
GK:
No real process--as the story evolved in my head/heart, I
kept on reading about the incredible WWII era, considering how much those folks
sacrificed. I can't get enough of the endless stories that time created. Of
course, I had to do some research on trains/schedules/routes of the day,
government wartime restrictions on gasoline/clothing/lights, and the history of
certain foods. Everyday facts like these make a huge difference in the story,
and researching is like vitamins to a story.
LM: The age old question for writers - are you a panster or a plotter?
GK: Panster, for sure
and certain. Plotting challenges me, and sometimes I call my plotter friend in
Arizona for help. "I need to have something happen right now that will
shake the story up a little. Any ideas?" She ALWAYS comes through --thank
you, Machelle!
LM: What are your passions when you are not writing?
GK: Hmm . . . I've
always loved poetry, reading, our grandchildren, and I walk a lot. Also do yoga
to keep this old body going and am addicted to Good Earth tea. But passions . .
. I think I'm a one-passion-at-a-time-person. Writing is it for me right
now.
LM: What is your next project?
GK: I have another
WWII novel coming out in the next couple of months. This one begins around
Pearl Harbor time, and involves a young farm wife who finds her voice and
stands up for herself. But it isn't easy! And getting it published hasn't been,
either. Maybe because it deals w/marital verbal abuse.
And I just completed my first salable novella, also a WWII story.
Maybe I should start an "IowaGirls" theme, because that's what all my
heroines are. (So far, anyway.)
As it is, they all sail under the motto, DARE TO BLOOM.
LM: How exciting. I love reading WWII era fiction. As a debut novelist
what is your advice for unpublished writers?
GK: Keep writing.
Follow your heart, and put the lie to your inner attackers.
LM: Anything else you'd like readers to know about you.
GK: I love meeting
new people and encouraging writers - if you want to contact me with a
question, I'd be happy to connect. And I'm always looking for new midwestern
and Arizona venues to facilitate writing workshops.
Visit Gail at:
You can purchase this wonderful book on Amazon.com
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