Gale Stanley

I was the kid who always had my nose in a book, my head in the clouds, and my hands on a pad and pencil. I suspect this was because my parents were overprotective. My adventures took place between the pages of a book. I read anything and everything I could get my hands on, even my mother’s True Confession magazines. And it was usually under the covers with a flashlight.

I always enjoyed making up my own stories. Sometimes I illustrated them. Years later, I started reviewing books for Romantic Times Book Reviews magazine. Reviewing inspired me to write more. I sold three memoirs to the series – A Cup of Comfort – and in 2010 Siren Publishing released my first novel, Call of the Wilds.

Boys, boys, boys. Lol And everything that went along with dating, like clothes and makeup. Of course, I still loved reading, along with music, concerts, and dancing.

I’d have to say it’s my husband. He doesn’t complain when I disappear into my office to write, and he overlooks the dust bunnies that collect around the house.

Believe it or not – it was an ad for eyeglasses. As soon as I saw it, the heroine took shape in my head and she whispered her story in my ear.

No, I always knew the ending. In fact, I usually have my endings in mind at the beginning of the process. The hard part is how to get there.

The Rules, book one, was the quickest to write. The Stableboy, book three took the longest, because real life intruded on writing time.

My characters appear fully formed physically. The hard work is getting to know them inside and out. I peel back the layers to learn whether they’re traumatized, reserved, self-centered, trustworthy, jealous… I want to know everything about them.

Yes. It usually happens when I’m not turning out work that excites me. Sometimes I find I’m not living enough to write about living, so I go outside and play. It could mean exercise, listening to music, or time at the beach. A fresh perspective usually gets me back on track.

I write for the joy of it and I put everything into my stories. I’m just happy that others are entertained by them.

I love spending time with family and friends. Aside from that my happy place is the beach.

Managing interruptions and people who don’t respect my writing time as work. I have a friend who still calls my writing a hobby. She would phone me, and although I’d tell her I was in the middle of writing a scene, she’d keep talking about herself. Some people just can’t understand that writing is a very time-consuming job. Now I let voicemail handle calls when I’m writing.

Something that never fails to inspire me is an email from a reader who enjoyed one of my stories. That’s what it’s all about.

My target audience is anyone who enjoys a sexy love story with a good plot. It might be suspense, mystery, paranormal thrills… The take-away is that love is valid regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Love is love.

I just want to keep writing and keep my readers entertained. I’m actually working on two books. One is a standalone gay romance. The other is a heterosexual romance and may turn into a series.

Marketing is so time consuming. I was looking for an easier way to increase visibility. AllAuthor was mentioned in a newsletter and I decided to check it out. I love the time-saving features that allow me to spend more time writing.