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Welcome. Are you looking for a book interview with an author? Read a book interview conducted with author Gale Laure on July 3, 2008.
INTERVIEWER: Did you do any writing while you were attending school?
GALE LAURE: Yes. I took a lot of English and Literature classes. We always had to write stories. I loved the writing aspect. It was never difficult for me. I suppose I wrote my first story in third grade.
INTERVIEWER: Who in your early years inspired you to pursue your writing?
GALE LAURE: I suppose my first inspiration came in third grade from my teacher, Miss Black. We were assigned to write a scary story. I wrote one about a spooky house filled with bats. I remember I made an A+, and she wrote on my paper, "excellent story". I was so pleased with myself. My seventh grade English teacher, Miss Johnston, also recognized my imagination and ability for writing. Several of my stories were highly graded and positively commented on. These two ladies had a great impact on my writing self-confidence.
INTERVIEWER: Do you think you will ever develop vanity as a writer?
GALE LAURE: I sure hope not. I do have confidence, but not vanity.
INTERVIEWER: When you are in the process of writing, how conscious are you of the readers?
GALE LAURE: Not at all. I go to a special place when I write. I am with my characters. My readers never cross my mind during this time.
INTERVIEWER: Do you actually enjoy writing?
GALE LAURE: I love writing. I think it is the only time I am so overcome with happiness. Even my husband says I am a different person when I write. Whenever I am creative, I am happy. There are other things and people in my life that make me happy.
INTERVIEWER Who do you suppose is the present day ideal reader?
GALE LAURE: Anyone and everyone who loves to read. Reading opens up a new world for people. I recently read a book and then watched the movie that was made from it. The book gave and told me so much more about the characters and the story than the movie had the chance to reveal. If people do not read, they are missing out on so much. It worries me that not enough people seem to read anymore.
INTERVIEWER: How does your family feel about having a writer in the family?
GALE LAURE: Most of my family does not even acknowledge that I am an author. A few have asked for free autographed books. They still look at me as just "me". More of my husband’s family has actually been excited for me. Of course, my friends and my husband have been very supportive.
INTERVIEWER: Writers have varied routines for their writing. What is yours?
GALE LAURE: At the very beginning of my process, I write constantly. Once I am finished, I find my mind going back over my characters and incidences of my book. I find myself adding to my characters. It is as if they are growing.
INTERVIEWER: Other than writing, what is your next passion?
GALE LAURE: I love to watch movies.
INTERVIEWER: What other author would you like to see interviewed?
GALE LAURE: Without a doubt—Agatha Christie. I love the way the woman’s mind worked. I loved her characters—stuffy, emotional, but realistic. She has surpassed time. I would love to hear from her what made her tick.
INTERVIEWER: Your debut novel, Evolution of a Sad Woman, begins with a brutal murder—which becomes a dynamic life-changing moment for five men. Where did you get this idea?
GALE LAURE: I wish I could answer you, but I don’t know. It popped into my head—perhaps divine intervention. I know I was meant to write this story in this way. The brutality is only something these men must survive.
INTERVIEWER: I am glad you brought up divine intervention. Is God or religion in your novel?
GALE LAURE: As you know, one of the five men is a Catholic priest, Father C.D. Casmiersky. His faith is tried and strengthened throughout the novel. However, the other four men are not religious. Father C.D.’s religion is paramount for him, and at times for some of the other men. But some of the men must get through this ordeal without religion or God. Some of my characters have no God or religion in their lives. For others religion is not a way of life but only a ritual for them. This is lightly explored within all my characters.
When I wrote this book, I was inspired to write it by God. So God is in my book. He is in my life so why wouldn’t he be in my book.
INTERVIEWER: If you had to pick one subject for your debut book, what would this main subject be?
GALE LAURE: Love. Love for Kizzy. Love for their lives with her. Love for their future.
INTERVIEWER: Did you do a lot of research while writing this novel?
GALE LAURE: Yes. But I do not research just in books, magazines or newspapers. I also talk to a lot of different people who specialize in different areas. Many like to be identified in my books, some choose not to. I appreciate these people and honor their wishes.
INTERVIEWER: What were you trying to accomplish when you wrote Evolution of a Sad Woman?
GALE LAURE: I hoped to entertain, enlighten, challenge, mystify, inspire and touch the hearts and minds of my readers.
INTERVIEWER: Have you accomplished your goal?
GALE LAURE: Yes. According to many readers who have contacted me, they were all of these things and more. I was very touched by their responses. They are a big reason why I write.
INTERVIEWER: There is a lot of psychological play between the male characters in your book and the female victim, Kizzy. Can you elaborate?
GALE LAURE: Well, I don’t want to go too far with this response. A lot of this will be explained in the two sequels. As you know there were some clues left open. I can tell you that Kizzy was a very complicated lady. Or, did the men just see her that way?
INTERVIEWER: That does keep us hanging doesn’t it?
GALE LAURE: I do write mystery.
INTERVIEWER: That brings up another interesting question. You write fiction. Your characters seem so real. Are your characters based on actual people?
GALE LAURE: (laughs) Oh, wouldn’t you like to know. Wouldn’t you like to get to know Evan, Tom, William, Jimmy or C.D.? And I know—without a doubt—you would love to meet and get to know Kizzy.
INTERVIEWER: Yes, I really would.
GALE LAURE: Okay. I will tell you this. I like to watch people. I watch them everywhere I go. Sometimes you can overhear conversations—cellphones are great—in restaurants or stores. I keep a pad in my purse for character development or writing ideas.
I will never tell if she is real, or who Kizzy is based on. I will carry it to my grave. (laughs) I love a good mystery!
Thank you,
GaleLaure.com book interview webmaster
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