GAYLE M. IRWIN Interview Published on: 03, Jun 2021

I grew up in southeastern Iowa, spending my pre-teen and teenage years on a small farm. I’m an only child, so my imagination developed and I began writing stories and poetry in my youth. My favorite memory of that time was walking through the fields and woods with my dog and wildlife watching.

I often wrote TV scripts as a teen; no, they were never used because I didn’t send them anywhere. My first published story happened while I was in college – I wrote for my junior college newspaper plus I published short works in the school’s annual creative writing publication called “Expression.”

Again, while in my teens. I read all of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” books in addition to “Black Beauty,” “Where the Red Fern Grows,” and other animal-related books. Writing consisted of the TV scripts I mentioned earlier plus I dabbled in poetry.

Persistence and organization. I’ve been writing regularly for two publications (one online, the other print) for nearly six years and now and then I receive assignments from other publications. Therefore, keeping each article, deadline, and editor organized at home and updated on my progress can get overwhelming at times. Therefore, I keep an updated calendar for the projects. Persistence in querying other publications for future articles is also required, especially since so many publications no longer take new writers and many have folded. I’m grateful for each opportunity that comes my way!

That persistence that I mentioned – and having positive stories to share. The first collection in which I’m published is called “What I Learned from the Dog.” My story is about Sage, a blind springer spaniel who lived with my husband and I for more than a decade. She taught us so many valuable lessons, including perseverance, courage, and trust. My other contributions were in other dog books, plus I have a story about America’s national parks in the 2016 release “The Spirit of America;” that year was the National Park Service’s 100 th anniversary. I’m planning another submission to this year’s dog book about my rescued puppy mill survivor, with hopes it will be selected – he has an amazing story, as did our blind springer!

I enjoy encouraging people as well as entertaining them. Whether through my children’s books or my sweet romance novels, I desire to inspire, educate, and entertain readers. I believe there are many lessons a writer can subtly weave into stories, and since I’m a pet rescue and adoption advocate and volunteer, I weave that passion into my stories.

Appreciation for nature, enjoyment of exploring the outdoors, and gratitude for the people who set aside public lands. There are activities in the back of the book that encourage kids to get outside, no matter where they live and no matter if they can’t visit Yellowstone in person. Throughout the book, families will find facts about America’s first national park, including history of setting aside the lands for the public’s enjoyment. I lived next door to Yellowstone for several years, and I still visit every few years; it’s a marvelous place that I wanted to share with young readers and their families.

Rhiann is based partially on my life. She is the main female character in four of my romance books. “Gram’s Legacy” explores the relationship between Rhiann, her sister (Erin), and their grandmother, who helped raise the girls. I was close with my maternal grandmother, and when I wrote the story, I reflected on that bond and wove certain elements of my relationship with my grandmother into the work.

“Rescue Road” came about thanks to a creative writing class (or two!) I took as part of the Community Education Program at the local college. At this time, I’d never written a novel, but had an idea based on my passion for pet rescue and adoption. Through the classes I took, the idea took deeper root – I also watched many Hallmark movies that featured animals as part of the story! It would take me another three years to completely work out the plot, but everything fell into place, and after hiring an editor, the book released in November 2019.

Yes! I’ve worked at two different humane societies, and I continue volunteering with animal rescue organizations in my area. My own pets are rescues, and the work these people do to save the lives of animals is admirable! I like being a small part of that work, that’s why I volunteer. Plus, I donate a percentage of book sales to these rescue organizations, so people who buy my books are contributing to those causes as well. It takes a village to rescue and adopt, and as an author (and as a reader), we are part of that village.

When COVID hit in 2020, many writers conferences went virtual. I took part in more workshops and conferences that year and into 2021 than I’d been able to engage with in previous years. With limited to no travel, cost of such programs were much less, and therefore, more affordable – and being able to take part being at home, whether live or watching videos and workshops later, also made the workshops and conferences easier. I’m learning more about the marketing as well as the craft of writing; each component is critical as a freelance writer and author, and I’m grateful to have such workshops and conferences available online.

If I could change anything about my writing, I wish I had started freelancing articles and authoring books earlier in my life. I “dabbled” in freelance writing in my early 30s, but didn’t actively pursue it for another 20 years. The same with becoming an author; my first book, a children’s chapter book about our blind dog, published in 2007 – I wish I’d started with the dog before her, because he was a rescue/adopted pup, and he and my cat at the time were great friends. I wish I had started with their story. Although it’s never “too late,” and I am grateful for each experience, I wish I’d started the journey more seriously during my 40s instead of my 50s. I’d advise anyone who has “the itch” to pursue writing, DO IT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER!

Research before adopting and be committed to the animal for the rest of its life. Different breeds of dogs have different needs and energy levels as well as personalities. You need to make sure you and that particular breed are a good fit. For example, are you a couch potato or an active person? If you’re not very active, Labrador Retrievers and Australian Shepherds would not be a good fit. Also, what is your living situation? Apartment? House in town? A home on acreage? Different dog breeds do better in one living situation vs. another. The best place to learn about various dog breeds (their temperament, their activity level, etc) is at the American Kennel Club website: https://www.akc.org/compare-breeds/</p> Is there anything you are currently working on that may intrigue the interest of your readers?

I’m planning to release a new holiday novella as part of my Pet Rescue Romance series in November 2021. The title of the book is “In the Shadow of Mount Moran,” and the setting is the Grand Teton National Park area. A lost husky is found by a woman on a Christmas vacation at a Jackson, Wyoming area ranch resort; she is a pet rescuer (of course!) and she and the ranch foreman and tour guide help the dog return to his owner … and fall in love with each other. I’m also planning to release a new children’s book in 2021 titled “Sadie, the Smiling Spaniel.” This story is about finding and bringing joy, and the story is based on a dog we adopted several years ago. As with my other dog books for children, this one will have photos of the real Sadie.

I love using the mock-up graphics, especially the holiday themed ones, and the quote graphics. I also like connecting with other authors and with readers.