Welcome, Gail Pallotta

I’m pleased to welcome my colleague, Gail Pallotta.  Today she shares a little about her writing journey and her newest release, Hair Calamities and Hot Cash. Don’t miss the limited 99 cent preorder opportunity.

 

When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?

I’ve loved storytelling for as long as I can remember. My first published piece appeared in a grammar school newspaper. At that time in the back of my mind, I tucked away a dream of writing fiction. Much later in college I enrolled in my school’s first professional writing class and realized I could make a living as an editor or copywriter. It wasn’t fiction, but it paid the bills, and I learned to write non-fiction. Then I married, helped my husband with his business, and sold freelance articles. Now my husband’s semi-retired, my daughter’s grown and I’m writing fiction.

Tell us about your latest book, Hair Calamities and Hot Cash.

A New York stockbroker, Philip, crashes his rental car into Eve Castleberry’s beauty shop in a small mountain town in North Carolina. On the same day the young widow’s defective hair products cause wild hairdos. Philip’s attracted to the distraught top-notch hairstylist and asks her out. She starts dating him, but stops because she falls too hard for a wayfarer who’ll leave and break her heart. When there’s another catastrophe in the shop, Philip comes to Eve’s rescue and convinces her to go out as friends. Later he solicits her help to find the thieves who stole his client’s cash. Then they trail two of the FBI’s most-wanted criminals. Romance blossoms amid danger, suspense and Eve’s hair-brained plan to get back the money.

The book’s currently on pre-order for .99 cents on Amazon.

What inspired you to write this book?

My mother’s beauty shop in a small town at the foothills of the North Carolina Mountains inspired Hair Calamities and Hot Cash. Her shop echoed the warm, friendly atmosphere of the community. Clients discussed what to do about world affairs and everything in between, including family relations, births, deaths and weddings. They planned showers, graduation parties and get-togethers for new neighbors while my mother shampooed and rolled hair.

They had close friends, acquaintances, people they tolerated and those they kept at a distance. As in most areas where everyone knows everyone else, they gossiped and could be nosey. However, when someone grieved for a loved one, suffered from an illness or any other crisis, prayers went up and casseroles went out no matter whether the person was a best friend or someone held at a distance. They all were God’s children. I wanted to bring back the caring ambiance.

How do you plot your story?

Loosely. I’m trying to become more detailed in my original outline, but I begin with a rough idea and add to it as I go. I’m probably a cross between a plotter and a pantzer. I need to see my destination and know the road ahead, but I’m constantly making detours and changing my course.

Do you follow a scheduled writing time?

I haven’t conquered that feat yet. I try to write several hours in the morning and / or afternoon and then an hour or two after dinner, but life’s constantly changing my schedule.

What do you consider the most challenging part of writing?

Marketing and keeping up with social media, hands down. One might say, “But that isn’t writing.” And, I would wholeheartedly agree. So, I’ll say the most challenging part of the writing process is completing the first draft. Once the story’s on paper, I know it’s going to come to life. Then it’s a matter of molding it.

What do you love to do when you’re not writing?

I love to spend time my family and friends, including the wonderful people at my church. At a moment’s notice, I’ll travel to the beach to walk by the sea and sit on the shore. Some fun activities for me are swimming, power walking and bargain shopping with my daughter.

Book Blurb:

“A comedic romp from small town to big city in search of missing money, hair catastrophes, and love. A truly fun read”—Cynthia Hickey, author of the Shady Acres Mystery series.

What happens when a New York stockbroker crashes his car into Eve Castleberry’s North Carolina beauty shop…on the same day the young widow’s defective hair products are causing wild hairdos? Soon Eve finds herself helping the handsome stranger hunt the thieves who stole his client’s cash…and hot on the trail of two of the F.B.I.’s most-wanted criminals! Romance blossoms amid danger, suspense and Eve’s hair-brained plan to get back the money.

Buy on Amazon for .99 cents.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J63WXR6

Bio: Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s a wife, mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A former Grace Awards Finalist and a Reader’s Favorite 2017 Book Award winner, she’s published five books, poems, short stories and two-hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums. She loves to connect with readers. Sign up for her newsletter at http://www.gailpallotta.com/mainphp.html and visit her website at gailpallotta.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore