Social Media Monday: Meet Gail Pollatta

Welcome to Social Media Monday. Today I get to introduce you to my friend Gail Pallotta. Gail, Tell us about you!

I’m a Mom, a wife and article-writer turned novelist. Love Turns the Tide is my first romance, but I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. My first story appeared in a grammar school newspaper. Much later I worked as an editor and a copywriter. After I married I helped my husband with his business, but continued to write. Some of my articles are in anthologies, but two ended up in museums. I like to swim, spend time with friends and family and bargain shop with my daughter.

What do you write?

Currently, I’m writing Christian books. The articles I’ve published range from stories about the homeless to a college president to a company CEO.

Cool! What are you working on right now?

I have two projects dear to my heart, another contemporary romance and a teen novel.

How did you and I meet?

On Clash of the Titles when I entered an excerpt from Love Turns the Tide.

Any interesting stories or anecdotes about the two of us?

I learned about French manicures from Michelle. I’m probably the only person in the world who didn’t know what one was. I read the words “French manicure” in something Michelle was writing. My mind went blank, so I asked about it. Just in case there’s anyone else like me who doesn’t know, Michelle told me it’s when the nails are painted pale pink, except they’re white on the ends. Well, the very next day after Michelle enlightened me I was out to lunch with my husband. Lo and behold, the waitress put her hand on her pad to write, and…you guessed it…a French manicure. Later I went to lunch with a friend, and she had a French manicure. I keep seeing them. I wonder how I missed them all these years.

LOL. I thought that was so cute! I'm happy to have turned you on to them. I think you should get one. =) Okay, tell me the most exciting thing that has happened this year, relating to your writing?

So far 2011, has been quiet, but in November of 2010, an excerpt from Love Turns the Tide won the Clash of the Titles Challenge in the best nature / weather scene category. That was pretty exciting.

Yes it was! Gail, how has social media affected your writing relationships and/or marketing strategy?

Since I have out an e-book, I need to be on the internet. When my book came out, my computer skills extended mainly to turning the machine on and off. I’ve been blessed to meet wonderful people on the web. Many have hosted me and offered advice on how to navigate the complicated internet world. At least it seems complicated to me. I treasure my online writing buddies. We include each other in newsletters, interview each other on blogs, promote each other with contests and often pray for each other in times of need. Many of us exchange personal emails. When one sits down at a computer screen, it looks so cold. The room where I work is quiet except for the sloshing of the washing machine behind me, so it can feel lonely. But once I’m connected, it’s a warm place where I visit with like-minded people who’ve become some of my best friends.

I so agree with you there, Gail! I often say "my friends live in my computer". lol.  What advice would you give to other aspiring authors?

Be persistent and don’t let rejections disappoint you. What one editor discards another may want, so keep trying. And remember no one can tell your story except you.

Thanks Gail, I appreciate that encouragement! Please provide any personal links so everyone can connect with you.
Love Turns the Tide is available from www.awe-struck.net
I have a web site at http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com
My blog is http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com
I’m on Facebook and twitter. I also have a Facebook page called Authors and More.
It’s http://www.facebook.com/pages/Authors-and-More/347378587058

Thank you for being my special guest today. I pray for blessings on your writing!
Readers, do you have a question or comment for Gail?