Understanding Hybrid Authors

Good morning from Gail Gaymer Martin at www.gailgaymermartin.com New words have grown out of the digital age, and one of those words is hybrid. You probably know that hybrid is a thing made by combining two different elements or a mixed character. Those of us writing fiction for traditional publishers and also self-publishing are hybrids.

Why do this? Being published traditionally and books are distributed to stores. Why select a publishing method that rarely gets into stores and depends upon Internet buyers for sales? Why pay for editing, cover design and formatting (or do it yourself) when it is free with traditional publishers along with receiving an advance on sales?

The positives for being a hybrid - An author:
1. Has the final say, writing stories he wants without changes to meet the needs of a publisher’s book line, genre or editors.
2. Can step outside his brand and write stories different from what is expected by his publisher and readers in terms of genre and story length.
3. Can design the cover and title his book without other’s doing it for him.
4. Keep his writer’s voice pure with no changes of word choices, sentence rhythm and symbolism.

The negatives - An author:
1. Foots the bill and pays for all that goes into the publishing of a novel, such as: editing, cover design, and printing and faces mistakes, wasted money, scams and issues without backing.
2. Receives no distribution or marketing other than what he does on his own or must pay for it.
3. Finds slow sales even when traditionally published with a good following.
4. Learns larger sales number even with a lower royalty rate earns more money than a hybrid
5.  An author learns “the buck stops here.” Mistakes,

So why do it? I became a hybrid first when my out of print book rights were returned. I thought of my novels fully written that didn’t fit the lines I wrote for. Some I loved and were, in my opinion, my best writing. I reworked the stories to my present quality of writing and used the opportunity to bring them to life. My first new novel, Treasures of Her Heart, a romantic mystery set in a Michigan tourist town, released this June, a novel with characters that had remained in my mind and heart.

Treasures of Her Heart
Nikki Townley a fashion-buyer, looking for a life with deeper meaning, leaves her career and moves to a small, tourist town in northern Michigan to assist her ailing great-aunt Winnie in running her floundering antique business. There she finds herself caught in a mystery searching for her aunt’s missing fortune, facing an investment company in pursuit of her aunt’s property, and hoping to save a long-distance romance with her faithful male friend Rob Moore, while struggling to escape her attraction to an exciting, smooth-talking womanizer. Can she overcome temptation, locate the missing fortune and find the truth to the treasures of her heart? Will Rob wait for Nikki to make up her mind?
Click here to read the first 2 chapters:  http://amzn.to/1lx0k4x

What's An Author's Most Valuable Asset? Readers

Happy Spring - from Gail Gaymer Martin at http://www.gailmartin.com/

The last I spoke to you was in February where I was spending the winter in Sedona, AZ, but surprise, surprise, winter never came to Michigan. Was it wasted effort? No I was inspired with story ideas there. Here we are one day into spring with 80 degree temperatures. Life is full of surprises. . .and so are readers. Why? Let me tell you.

One thing I've learned while writing for publicatoin these last fourteen years is that what is a writer without readers -- not only do you purchase our books, but you provide valuable information. My readers group on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=110543112472 helps me think of titles, story ideas, and become influencers of my upcoming releases when I send some of them a novel not yet released. I have enjoyed this faithful group and find them invaluable to me as a writer. You are my cheerleaders and often a source of great information. I can't thank you enough.

  

The cover has arrived for my next LI to be release in June, and I hope you look for it in stores or online at the end of May.  A DREAM OF HIS OWN is the final book in the Dreams Come True series and will be Ava's story. It will also reveal the only mystery in the series. Who is the lone donor f or the Dreams Come True Foundation and, as important, why?

Winter Adventures And Story Ideas



Hi from Gail Gaymer Martin at http://www.gailmartin.com/

What is more inspiring than a setting like this? Although we know the Lord surrounds us each day, the grandeur of His natural beauty is awe-inspiring.

I've wanted to winter in a place that would offer adventure and rest, and Sedona, Arizona is one of those perfect settings.

Usually a computer potato--never a couch potato since I'm always writing and I use a mouse--I find myself walking daily and hiking up the sloops of the red rocks when I have the courage and energy. A hiking stick helps, and I've enjoyed seeing the views from higher up. 

We've had the frightening thrill of running into wild animals on our journeys, and my husband had the good sense to bring along his camera.  Our first encounter was a bobcat who looked up at us while he lounged in the shade and then decided his nap was more important than lunch.  We were grateful.

Our next adventure was running into a javelina who was not with the usual herd or pack but was alone.  We were grateful because they are wild and can be dangerous. Though the javelina looks like he'd be from the pig family, he is a peckery and if you look closely you'll see he has hair.

We've seen mountain lion tracks but that's one adventure I'll pass up.  I'm still longing to see a roadrunner. 

The setting, hiking, and wild animals has naturally stirred my creative juices and I can feel a novel budding in my mind. I've been here before but never for more than a week, so this extended trip---away from Michigan's winter---is both inspiring and exciting.  One of these days (more likely years), I hope to offer a series or a novel set in this magnificent location.

This is not all fun either. I'm working on a novel to come out months from now which I've titled Waiting for You. It will be the first book in a new series. So for now from our deck with a view of castle rock and bell rock, think of me, and if you enjoy my novels, look for the next LI, A Dream of His Own (the last in the Dreams Come True series) that will be in stores at the end of May through June. If you wondered who is the donor for this wonderful foundation, you may just learn the secret in the last novel.  :  )

FOCUSING ON CHRISTMAS with Gail Gaymer Martin

The air of Christmas sweeps around us when we eat the last leftovers of our Thanksgiving turkeys. It's a special time of year for Christians as we prepare for the celebration of our Savior's birth in the lowly stable in Bethlehem.

But our focus can stray with the pressures of our prepreations for the blessed celebration. Decorating, gift buying and wrapping, Christmas cards, cookie baking, party planning, and keeping our calendar schedule straight when real life forces us to doctor appointments, grocery shopping and laundry.

Most of us realize that life's responsibilities can dull the excitement that we feel as we anticipate this special season. No matter how many sweatshirts we wear proclaiming Jesus is the Reason for the Season, sadly it's easy to let it slip away under the debris of life.


One way I keep focused on Christmas is my music involvement. Christmas music wraps my heart in emotions of the past, present and the future, reminding me of the Savior's birth, His sacrifice for us, and it folds me in memories of family and friends. Playing handbells, singing with the praise team and the choir at my church is one way I'm imbedded with Christmas. I also sing with the Detroit Lutheran Singers a renown Christian chorale in the Detroit area and one of the finest in MIchigan.

I also love to read novels that draw me to Christmas. I download them to my Kindle and then carry them with me as I wait for appointments, eat meals alone while my  husband is running errands, and sometimes at the end of a busy day. I was blessed this year to have a new Christmas release--on Kindle and also mass market release. Small Town Christmas appears in the Love Inspired duet novel  CHRISTMAS GIFTS with Brenda Minton.
Click to Review or Purchase

The story relates when the new second grade teacher, Amy Carroll, meets the precocious twin sisters, she knows she has her hands full, but when she learns they live on the street where she is staying with her grandmother and they have a single father who is handsome and needs help, Amy’s hands are beyond full. But Amy’s from Chicago and falling in love with a small town man is not part of her plan. Can God waylay Amy’s desire to return to the big city? Can Mike Russett open his heart to love?

Two of my past Christmas novels were released again from Harlequin Love Inspired by direct mail. Both of these novels were national award-winners and favorites among my readers. If you'd like to learn more about these novels, follow these links:

A woman whose past has nearly destroyed her finds life and love while caring for a child who no longer speaks and the little girl's father who is bound by his past. Secrets, once opened, can bind hearts and reveal a new life filled with forgiveness and love at Christmas time.

http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=24427

This novel is set on Mackinac Island in the Straits of Mackinac, Michigan. Two people from different worlds find what life and love really mean in this the unique and amazing setting. With no motorized vehicles on the island, the setting introduces a quieter, gentler life focused on what's important and celebrates Christmas in a special way.

http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=24797




Wishing you a joyous Christmas and blessings in the new year.

Gail Gaymer Martin at http://www.gailmartin.com/
Also visit me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Gail-Gaymer-Martin/1429640580
Facebook Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=110543112472
and Twistter: http://twitter.com/GailGMartin

Research and My New Release - CHRISTMAS GIFTS - Gail Gaymer Martin

Greetings from Gail Gaymer Martin at http://www.gailmartin.com/

When an idea strikes me for a novel, my mind begins to click with characters and plot, but also with setting. Where should this story take place? So when my agent called to say my editor asked if I would be part of a Christmas Duet novel for this year, I thought a moment--but only a moment--and said yes. I love writing Christmas books and I'd been thinking that I'd love to have a new one. Story ideas came fast, a widowed father with 7 year old twin daughters who were trouble, and a teacher. Perfect.

Now where to set the story? A small town was my first thought so I began looking through the Internet for small towns in Northern Michigan along I-23.  I'd driven there a few months earlier to visit relatives and had already considered setting a story in one of these small towns. After investigating small towns on the Internet, I found the perfect spot--Harrisville, Michigan. My husband and I took a weekend and visited the town.

Everyone I meet was pleased to be part of the novel and cooperated fully. I visited the library where many town activities are sponsored and spent an hour or more at the elementary school, touring the building and talking with the principal, office staff, and a second grade teacher. A visit to the Chamber of Commerce provided me with great information especially about their Christmas event, Christmas in the Village. Deidre Gray owner of the gift shop, Maggie’s on Main, answered many questions and served as a liaison, as well as being eager to sell the books in her store, Manny Pompa owner of the restaurant and bakery Flour Garden provided information about the Tree Lighting Ceremony on the highway. Bob and I spent time in the park which provides a scene in the novel, and I drove through neighborhoods taking photographs of houses that I used in the story to create realism. I even called officials to learn their laws about leaf burning in the town.  When I delved into the novel, it was like visiting old friends. I hope you enjoy the novel as much as I enjoyed meeting the townspeople and researching the town.

 CHRISTMAS GIFTS
including Small Town Christmas
Gail Gaymer Martin
Love Inspired Duet - November 2011

Mini-Matchmakers And An Old Fashion Christmas
When the new second grade teacher, Amy Carroll, meets the precocious twin sisters, she knows she has her hands full, but when she learns they live on the street where she is staying with her grandmother and they have a single father who is handsome and needs help, Amy’s hands are beyond full. But Amy’s from Chicago and falling in love with a small town man is not part of her plan. Can God waylay Amy’s desire to return to the big city? Can Mike Russett open his heart to love?

Reveiws:
Martin’s story contains strong characters and touching scenes - Romantic Times

Martin's spirituality and her gift for spinning a story flow through this wonderful Christmas romance novel. A must-buy for any Christian romance connoisseur this holiday season! Reviews by Laura


This duet novel also includes Brenda Minton's Her Christmas Cowboy

Available in all stores where books are sold or at Internet books stores.  Click Here for Amazon.com and a first chapter excerpt.

Gail Gaymer Martin's newest release - A FAMILY OF THEIR OWN

Hello from Gail Gaymer Martin.  When I write a series, I find it a challenge, especially when it’s one with a touchy story line. I never know how readers will accept it and so I wait until the letters and reviews come in. The first book in the Dreams Come True series proved a blessing. With 4 stars from Romantic Times, the reader mail, reviews and comments about A Dad Of His Own on Amazon touched my heart.

Similar to Make A Wish Foundation, each story in the Dreams Come True series involves a child dealing with a serious illness, but romance has a happy ending, so you can count on not being disappointed. Writing the series meant spending hours and hours learning about various illnesses that affect children as well as adults. Besides the Internet, I spoke with people who’ve had experiences with these illnesses either with a family member, friend or acquaintance. Searching online, I also found journals of children struggling with these diseases, and I found great courage and hopeful outcomes for many of them. That made my job easier as I worked to give the stories depth but also lighthearted moments that my readers could enjoy. Though the three book series is linked with overlapping characters, each story is complete.

I was thrilled with another 4 stars from Romantic Times for the second book in the series, A Family Of Their Own. A September release, this book will be in stores around August 26. If you’d like to read Kelsey and Lucy’s story, you’ll want to pick up one fast since the books are only in stores for 1 month although they’re available longer through the publisher and always available from the Internet bookstores. Here’s a little about the novel.

FOUR MAKES A FAMILY
With her daughter's health back on track, Kelsey Rhodes counts her blessings. But life is still not easy for the sweet single mom. She craves companionship, yet finds it difficult to trust anyone. Ross Salburg seems like the perfect match for her. The handsome single dad also struggles to keep his daughter healthy. Can Kelsey convince Ross to take a leap of faith and meld their two families into one?

Reader comments:
I just finished your latest book A Family of Their Own. I love how the 2 adults each have a special needs child. I love reading your Love Inspired romance novels. Signed Joan from Ohio

I can tell you did much research before writing this story; it shows throughout the pages. I’ve learned so much from this book. Thank you once again, Gail, for giving your readers another endearing and fulfilling book to read and enjoy. Signed Patsy from Texas


If you’d like to pre-order, click here: A FAMILY OF THEIR OWN

On Kindle - Gail Gaymer Martin's 2002 Award-winning Romantic Suspense: A LOVE FOR SAFEKEEPING

Hi from Gail Gaymer Martin at http://www.gailmartin.com/

I love writing romantic suspense, and I should write me. Finding the time has been my nemisis, but one of these days I will again.

Before the LI Suspense line, I was able to write a couple of suspenses for the regular LI line and for Steeple Hill's single title. A LOVE FOR SAFEKEEPING was my first suspense novel, and I was thrilled when it received three national awards, including Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award and ACFW's Book of the Year (now called The Carol Award). 

The idea for this suspense was triggered by the old Dick and Jane Primers used from the 30s to the 70s to teach reading to elementary school students. The phrase See Jane Run is a line from the primer, and the Jane in this novel experience a cryptic note with that statement. But that wassn't the end, and she didn't know why. Imagine finding a note with: See Jane fall. See Jane bleed. See Jane die.


BACK COVER BLURB:

See Jane run?

If that's what Jane Conroy's stalker had in mind, he was going to be disappointed. The feisty schoolteacher was more angered than frightened by her shadowy adversary's pranks. Thanks to him, she reluctantly found herself under the watchful deep blue gaze of a handsome lawman bent on keeping her safe — and restoring her lost faith....

See Jane fall...
For Kyle Manning? The preacher's son and police officer figured that wasn't likely. After all, Jane made it clear that she didn't trust cops or religion — and that she could take care of herself. But Kyle wasn't just determined to guard her life...he was hoping to share it! --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

REVIEWS

4-1/2 Stars - Perhaps Gail Gaymer Martin's best. This story will keep you riveted. - Romantic Times

4-1/2 Plugs - A LOVE FOR SAFEKEEPING is a powerful blend of passion and suspense...one of the finest romantic suspense stories I have read. - Tracy Farnsworth, The Romance Reader Connection

4-1/2 Stars - Ms. Martin writes her faith. - Karen Larsen, Scribes World

GGM has found the balance of mystery and intrigue. This novel is hard to put aside once you begin to read it. Dale Van Tassel -www.thewordonromance. com

Click to purchase or view A LOVE FOR SAFEKEEPING:

In case you're curious about my second suspense, a single title, FINDING CHRISTMAS was optioned by producer Larry Levinson for a Hallmark TV Movie. Though the movie was never made, I was thrilled that they optioned the book and found it worth of a Hallmark movie.

Spring Inspiration from Gail Gaymer Martin

Welcome to my world.  Being from Michigan, I find weather an adventure, and when I'm trying to work on a novel--especially one set in the spring of the year--the inspiration is appreciated. We've looked too long at snow, cold temperatures, and rain. But the Lord smiled down on us, and spring arrived just in time to inspire me for a new novel proposal set in Holland, Michigan around the time of their renown Tulip Festival.

One thing that inspires me is the magnolia tree outside my office window. The large pink and white blooms take my breath away and I enjoy seeing the many birds who perch on the branches -- cardinals, robins, sparrows, and others -- and listneing to them sing and even tap on my window sill.

I realized the other day that I often set novel openings during the spring. I suppose it's because spring inspires a blossoming romance.

My November release will be different, however, opening in autumn close to Christmas since this will be a Christmas 2-in-1 with Brenda Minton. My short novel, Small Town Christmas will be in the duet book, Christmas Gifts.  I hope you enjoy the autumn/winter setting.

But before the November release, I hope you look for the second book in the Dreams Come True series, A Family of Their Own released in September. This book will be Kelsey's story followed next spring by Ava's story. This will be the third and final book in the series which I've called A Dream Of His Own. (That title could change.)

As I said, welcome to my world and my spring garden. I've been busy planting flowers while trying to write, but it's spring and I'm inspired.  And note I have a great bargain at my house.  Read the little sign in the photo. :  )

Writing, Music, Writing, Music

Hi from Gail Gaymer Martin at http://www.gailmartin.com/  The difficult thing for a writer is when they also have another time-consuming avocation that they can’t give up. Along with the gift of writing, the Lord gifted me with a singing voice. I studied piano as a child and I sang along with every popular song. I come from a family of singers, even the extended family, and when I was a child and we had a cottage on a lake, we would sit in the evenings with aunts, uncles, cousins and my family and harmonize to wonderful old songs. People on the lake called us, “the singing cottage” because our voices echoed across to the other side. We never had a complaint.

Now music is still part of my life, and while I was working hard on the last book for the Dreams Come True series, I have also been rehearsing most evenings for either the praise team, solo work, handbells and hand chimes as well as for the concert series with the wonderful chorale, Detroit Lutheran Singers In the photo, I’m on the right front, second from the end. The series for the spring season begins next Sunday with two concerts in two different locations and the following Sunday is the same. If you happen to live in the Detroit area, don’t miss us. The concert schedule is on my blog at: http://www.gailmartin.blogspot.com/


But back to writing, with the proposal for the final book of the Dreams Come True series completed—at this point titled A Dream of His Own —I will continue the story that is set in Royal Oak, Michigan, an interesting small town that is known for its great shops and wonderful restaurants. Outdoor cafes dot the main streets where patrons sit and people watch or listen to musicians who play along the way. If you’re a fan of Love Inspired, then I hope you enjoyed the first in the series, A Dad Of His Own, still available at online bookstores. A Family of Their Own, will be released in September, and the new book will be out in spring 2012.

If you'd like to subscribe to my monthly newsletter with news, photos, recipes, and devotional for each month, you can do so by subscribing on my website (address link above). You'll find the subscription form just below my welcome message, and if you're on Facebook, join Readers of Gail Gaymer Martin's books at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=110543112472



And I can’t say goodbye without telling you about the exciting experience of watching a George Clooney movie being made in the city of Clawson not too far away and right down the street from my sister’s house. I couldn’t stay long and only watch a scene being filmed, but she stayed and was able to catch some wonderful photos of the star and director, George Clooney. Not bad, huh?

Enjoy Love Inspired books, and look for A Family Of His Own, 2nd in the Dreams Come True Series, in September.

A DAD Of HIS OWN - Gail Gaymer Martin - March release

Good morning from Gail Gaymer Martin at http://www.gailmartin.com/

I'm excited to tell you about my upcoming release and the first book, A DAD OF HIS OWN, in the Dreams Come True Series released by Love Inspired in March. Make sure you hit the stores at the end of February. Our novels are only in the stores for one month. I hope you'll find this novel and let me know what you think.

Also look for a link below that will take you to my first video interview about this novel and also a little about my career.

A DAD OF HIS OWN is a very different kind of story, and when the editor of the LI line asked me about taking on a topic similar to Make A Wish Foundation, I turned up my nose, trying to imagine how I could make this book a happy-ever-after love story. But the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea. I enjoy writing stores filled with emotion -- laughter and tears -- and this seemed a perfect idea for me.

Here's a teaser from the back cover:

One Child's Wish


With his Dreams Come True foundation, Ethan Fox turns wishes into reality. Amazing trips. Meeting heroes. But Ethan has come to care deeply for a sick boy whose dream is. . .a dad. And not just any dad. Ethan. Though little Cooper has a great chance of getting well, widowed Ethan can't chance loving---and losing---again. Yet he's spending time with the sweet boy and his lovely, single mother, Lexie Carlson. Could a little boy's wish for a dad of his own come true after all?

I've been invited to visit so many people's blogs to talk about this novel, but the most unusual offer was to do a video interview.  I want to share that with you. . .so here it is.  Hit the link and you'll find me in my living room, talking to Borrowed Books about my career and my newest novel - A DAD OF HIS OWN.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdjPlkGWOmA  I hope you enjoy the interview, and even more, I hope you love the novel.

Research Made Fun from Gail Gaymer Martin

Hi from Gail Gaymer Martin at http://www.gailmartin.com/
Research can take more time than writing a novel. It's all the pre-work an author must do to bring her story to life. While I love writing, sometimes research gets frustrating. I want to make my story accurate so I check many details to make sure it is.

But research can be fun, especially when it involves travel. When I was asked to push back my next book deadline and write a duet novel for next Christmas, I agreed but not without thought. I had just sold three novels to Love Inspired---one completed and two to go---so I wondered if I could manage adding another one to my list of projects. But I hadn't written a Christmas novel in quite a while and had wanted to do one. . .so I said yes.

The problem was they needed a synopsis and information for the cover immediately plus a name for the novel and I didn't have a story yet. Being involved with publishing can be fun.

That night I went to bed and couldn't sleep because my mind was developing a novel for the book. In recent travels to visit a relative in northern Michigan, I'd passed many small towns along Lake Huron, and I thought about creating a new series set in this area. My mind headed for that idea with the Christmas book.

First I needed a town so I used the Internet to find a small interesting town on Lake Huron. I found it-- Harrisville. This is a town of about 500 people with many interesting events around Christmas so I decided a visit there was necessary. 

We went there in mid-November and I visited the elementary school where my heroine will find a job, the library (seen in this photo), the Chamber of Commerce, and a popular restaurant. I visited the stores and talked with the owners. One of them who lived in town was very willing to let me call her with questions.  That kind of resource is needed for an author. I learned about their tree lighting ceremony and a special event called Christmas In The Village which happens in early February.  I visited the park where I climbed the slide (you'll notice that in the first photo) but decided I'd end up in the damp sand if I slid down.

One of the best things I did was drive through the residential areas and take photographs of houses. This helped me create homes for my characters that are typical in a small town. Gathering this kind of information brings the story to life for me. I can picture my characters living their daily lives in this environment. Seeing the setting stimulates story situations that will add interest and meaning to the novel. Research is hard work, but it can be fun. Most of all it helps create a story that readers will love. I hope you enjoy Small Town Christmas to be released next November by Love Inspired.

My next visit with you will be to tell you about A Dad Of His Own, my next LI release, in March, 2011.

DREAMS COME TRUE Series - Gail Gaymer Martin

Blessings from Love Inspired novelist Gail Gaymer Martin at http://www.gailmartin.com/

Writing a series is exciting but difficult. The longest was my seven book Loving series that took place in a fictitious town, Loving, Michigan. I based the setting on a real tourist town, Grand Haven, and my characters visited numerous events and businesses there. I loved that series, but never again will I do one with involving seven novels. :  )

My last three book series was Man's Best Friend, based on 3 women involved in a dog shelter. I hope you enjoyed those novels: Dad In Training, Groom In Training and Bride in Training.

A true series occurs when one story is finished, these characters will continue into the next book now focused on another character or two who appeared in the previous novel. It's challenging and interesting but not without it's difficult moments.

The hardest part about writing a series is keeping information straight. What kind of car do they drive? Are the parents of the hero and heroine living and if so where do they live? Do they have siblings? What caused them to be single: death, never married, or divorced, and if it's divorced, how do we handle this as Christians? What church do they attend? Where do they work? And it goes on and on. The author must be on her toes to keep all the details accurate.


Now I'm working on another three book series, Dreams Come True. It's not a series I would have chosen, but my editor encouraged me to write creat this kind of series because she thought I could. They love my emotional stories so I guess that's a compliment. These stories are based on the same concept as Make A Wish Foundation, about parents with a child who has a very serious illness. I know it sounds depressing, but my job is to give the readers a wonderfully emotional story with good  times and diifcult moments but always a happy ending.

Each of these books can stand alone. The story has a satifying ending but leaves the doors open for another character to step into the spotlight. In fact it might be fun for readers to try and guess whose turn will be next. I've asked myself if readers enjoy reading books writing as a series or do they prefer single titles so they don't have to wonder what will happen next. I know some readers purchase the novels and then wait until they're all released so they can read them in a row. That's something I've never done.

I'd love to hear from you and your thoughts on series. Do you enjoy them? Do you wait until you have the whole series before reading them? 

Opening New Doors

Hi from Gail Gaymer Martin at http://www.gailmartin.com/

Authors have many opportunities to step through new doors that open as their career grows. Naturally, I love writing and am enjoying my new series, Dreams Come True. But writing isn't the only thing that keeps some writers busy.

Coming from a teaching and counseling background (I still maintain my counseling license), I have stepped through two new doors as an author. The picture above was taken in Dallas two weeks ago when I was on staff of American Christian Writers. On Friday I taught four continuing classes on Writing Christian Fiction. I had appointments with writers and delivered the banquet keynote address. On Saturday, I presented two other workshops, kept more appointments with authors, and delivered the plenary address before serving on the staff panel for the end of conference.

I enjoy presenting new ideas and techniques to budding writers and even experienced one. Learning never stops, and we all benefit from hearing about new ways to approach our novels.

But another door that I love is presenting keynote addresses at churches and ladies events. Last weekend I spoke in Washington, Michigan to a wonderful group of women for their annual breakfast retreat. My address was two fold: a humorous look at a writer's journey followed by the more serious topic, Spring Cleaning Your Heart and Mind, appropriate for the season.

During this event, I had a book table where I giveaway prayer pads, calendars, pens, and a copy of one of my children's short stories with a lesson that reflected the message in my talk along with other giveaways. I also offer my books for purchase and autographing. These wonderful ladies nearly wiped out my display of books. What a blessing to have time to talk to these woman who love to read.

Before I say goodbye for now, don't forget to look for Bride in Training in stores in mid-June and available to direct maill readers much sooner. It's the final story in the Man's Best Friend Series. If you love dogs and romance, you'll enjoy this book.

Photograph Your Novel Settings

Thanksgiving blessings from Gail Gaymer Martin. A holiday is a strange day for me to blog, but I was assigned the date so I thought I would share one of my ideas with you. One thing that I love to do is write about real places. My seven book Loving Series was set in a fictitious town of Loving, Michigan but it was close to the real town of Grand Haven on Lake Michigan and the characters from those books often went into Grand Haven for a variety of reasons.. Since I enjoy the area so much, I spent a few days there researching for the Loving Series, and while there, I took photos. When the books were so popular, I decided to make the photos available on my website so readers could see the real places that my characters worked and visited during the seven novels.


Recently I had the pleasure of doing the same thing for a three book series set in the Monterey area of California on the central coast. The three titles were And Baby Makes Five, Garlic and Roses, and Butterfly Trees. Now Barbour Publishing has put these three novels into an anthology titled, Monterey Memories and it’s presently in stores now.

Since my nieces live in Salinas, I had visited this area many times, and while visiting there, I was inspired to write this series. But after I had written the three novels, I decided to visit again with the intention of taking photographs to put on my website for readers to enjoy the real places the characters live and visit. I had a great time putting these photos up with a sketch of the stories. Though you may not have this anthology, you might enjoy seeing the photos and hearing a little about the locations in the anthology. The link to the photos are found on my website at http://www.gailmartin.com/ or you can go directly to the photo page by clicking this link: http://www.gailmartin.com/The%20Real%20Monterey.htm.

When your favorite authors use real life settings, let them know you’d love to see photographs of the real locations. Maybe you’ll see some of your favorite novels come to life in photographs.

DAD IN TRAINING AND HOW IT CAME TO BE.

September. Where did it come from? I'm still looking for summer and it's nearly autumn. Greetings from Gail Gaymer Martin, an LI author since 1999 when I sold my first novel, UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR. Whew! That was exciting.

But then every book is exciting. DAD IN TRAINING is a special book to me, and I loved writing it. I grew up with dogs and cats in my life and, until a few years ago, rotated my pets between two dogs and a cat to two cats and a dog, then one dog and one cat, then one cat. My pets tend to live into their 20s so they become family to me, and the heartbreak of losing them is difficult. But my animals have left me with wonderful true stories that I've been able to weave into the Man's Best Friend series. In fact the second book, GROOM IN TRAINING, acknowledges my dog Jinx whose true story plays out in that book.

The idea to write a series about dogs began after the death of our daughter, Brenda, three years ago. We suffered the horrendous emotion of losing a tremdnousl daughter to ovarian cancer, but from her death, we learned so many wonderful things about her we might have never known. Learning them, we could grasp those things and hang on, and we know that she's out of the world of suffering and I think she's in heaven taking care of dogs that need obedience training. (Chuckling here).

Brenda loved animals, first fostering dogs and training them to be adoptable, and later owning two border collies of her own. They participated in agility and flyball, and she delighted in her pets. A series on traiing and adopting dogs seemed so appropriate to write in memory of Brenda.

This photo was taken during her chemo treatments, hugging her two border collies--Nike and Miranda--and wearing a sweatshirt with Miranda look-alike image.

Check out this eharlequin link to read the full Story Behind the Story DAD IN TRAINING

http://community.eharlequin.com/content/story-behind-dad-training-gail-gaymer-martin

In February 2010, you can enjoy Steph's story in GROOM IN TRAINING and in July, BRIDE IN TRAINING will finish the Man's Best Friend Series. If you're an animal lover or not, I hope you enjoy these three novels from Steeple Hill Love Inspired

Readers ask, "Where do you get your ideas."

Hello from Gail Gaymer Martin at www.gailmartin.com

"Where do you get your stories" is a common question that authors get from readers. They come to me from many sources--sermons, Bible verses, newspaper articles, a unique setting, people I see in my daily life, and from events told to me by family and friends. In fact, I often have friends start to tell me a story, and then stop and say, "You'll probably put me in your next novel."

I never do that, but I sometimes take pieces of their experience and twist it around to create a different but similar scene in my book. You've all heard the saying truth is stranger than fiction. That's true and I'm glad not to have experienced my sister's adventure a couple weeks ago while she was spending two winter months in Sedona with her husband Max and another couple, Nancy and Fred.

(Click for enlargement - and use back button to return)

You'll see my sister Jan (the short blond) with me when we visited her and her husband in Sedona January 2008. Behind us is bell rock, one of the amazing rock formations people like to climb. My sister's adventure happened on mesa not too far from the condo where she was staying.

When I received Jan's telephone call early in the morning, the sound of her voice prompted my question. “Are you okay?”

“I am now,” she said, “but I have a story for one of your novels.”

From the tone of her voice, my heart gave a jump. “What happened?”

This is a brief summary of her story:

The four travelers love to hike and when Jan and Max’s grandson Jack came for a visit, they decided to take him hiking up to a mesa not far from their condo in Canyon Mesa Country Club. Fred, with some health problems, opted out of the hike, but after lunch his wife nancy joined my sister and her husband along with Jack, and they drove to the beginning of a hiking trail into one of the surrounding mesas. Time: 1:30 PM

This dramatic story continues with getting lost. Time 3:30. They turned back and came to a dead end. Human tracks had vanished, mud pools nearly sucked off their shoes, then mountain lion tracks and evidence of wildlife unsettled them. Time 6:00 PM They changed directions as night settled over them. In the dark, they had falls, scraps, leaving blood running down their arms and fearing the lions would pick up their scent. With dangerous drop offs and night's lowered temperatures, they faced reality. They had to find a way to stay dry. Jan dragged out her suvivor knowledge and suggested they feel for loose tree bark to cover the wet ground so they could huddle together for warmth and wait until morning.

Any good writer likes to hook the reader, so I'll end this chapter here, but if you'd like to read the full story and learn the ending, which was amazing, you can visit my Gail's Thoughts blog at
www.gailmartin.blogspot.com

One of these days, you'll find a scene like this in one of my novels, filled with emotion, drama, and romance. I'll keep you posted when that book comes to reality.