Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a retired registered nurse and have written my first book. I love this author’s journey and have learned so much! I have learned – and keep telling people – we all have a story to tell! I am a first-time retiree-failure and am retiring soon for the second time only because I love this author journey and plan to write more books. I am an avid reader and am a member of local book clubs
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is titled Paws, Purpose and Possibilties: How therapy dogs and faith healed my heart. I wrote this book for my sister, Karen. I stayed with her at the end of her too-short life, cut short by colon cancer. The book is about my journey with therapy dogs as my gift to Karen, in an attempt to find meaning in her suffering and in my loss. I tell about how our love for dogs started in our childhood and it stayed with us both as we grew up. I started my initial work with therapy dogs through my church as a part of a ministry called Pets Are Working Saints (P.A.W.S.) Years later I started a therapy dog group at the hospital where I worked, and named it “Karing Partners” in memory of Karen. As I wrote this book, I found a need to reflect on my faith. and I do that in my book at the end of chapter, in a section I call Paws for Reflection.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I pray before each time I write! Then I sit at my computer and type away, often keeping my eyes closed as I place my thoughts on the “page”. LOL – I often find as I go back I hardly know what I wrote as I have so many spelling errors! I also find I write best with my faithful companion, my dog Sadie, near my feet. She hears about all of my joyful as well as my not-so-joyful moments as I write.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite books as a child were books about animals. The Disney books about dogs: 101 Dalmatians and Lady and the Tramp and others; then the classic dog books of the 1960s: Old Yeller, Call of the Wild, Lassie, and Where the Red Fern Grows. I was also inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder as I like stories about strong girls/women. As an adult, I have read every book ever written by James Herriot! In my later years and recent times, my favorite author and presenter is Max Lucado.
What are you working on now?
I am working on 2 books, with a third way in the background. My first is a children’s 3-book series as told by a little girl and her dog. The first in the series is called “Crazy Sadie”, where the little girl is teaching her new dog Sadie to learn to be calm. The next is ” Lady Sadie”, where the girl sees her grown-up, calm dog become a therapy dog. The final in the series is “Maybe Sadie”, where the girl watches her dog become old and wonders if her dog will go to heaven. The other book I am working on is an inspirational fiction account of a girl trying to find her way out of a destroyed town to locate her family far away and is befriended by a dog on her journey. The book way in the background will be a sequel to Paws, Purpose and Possibilities, but it will be stories from others about their “paws, purpose and possibilities.” So for this book to become a reality I have created a page on my website for others to provide me with information about their experiences, joys, and stories of working with their therapy dogs.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is my challenge, but I am proud to say I am meeting it head-on! I am nearing the age of 70, and my mantra is “If I can do it, you can do it, too!” I encourage my counterparts to step out and try something new! I have much to learn in this particular arena, as I don’t have much experience with social media and advertising. But I am a willing and able learner. I have used book promotion sites with some success, and I have participated in on-site book signings and oral presentations of my writing experience. I am finding new author friends as I reach out and am enlarging my circle of resources. I also have a website that provides some contacts and I hope to do more with this.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
As Nike says, “Just Do It!! We are all capable of thinking and dreaming, but how often do we make a dream a reality? At my age, I doubt I will become a continual Best Seller like Danielle Steele, but I WAS a Best Seller in 4 separate categories on Amazon for 11 consecutive days!!! My book was up on Amazon next to Cesar Milan and for 2 days I sold more books than he did! So yes, JUST DO IT!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My best advice came from my mother in two particular ways. As a child, she told me I could be whatever I wanted to be and she would support me. Her other advice was “this, too, shall pass” to remind me when I failed or did not reach my goal, I could pick up and start again. She was also my best role model. I saw her step out in so many ways: how she cared for our family with no extended family around us, how she worked full time to put my dad through school, how she lived out her faith every day and truly practiced what she preached.
What are you reading now?
I am reading books by Max Lucado, Christian fiction, inspirational and devotional material, and books about finding purpose as we age. I am also reading books in a wide variety of genres as part of an author’s group that I am part of such as children’s books, inspirational books, historical fiction, poetry, self-help and self-improvement, and others. I am enjoying reading this variety and it has opened new avenues of learning and interest I have not before experienced!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on writing more books, with a goal to publish my children’s series in the late spring. I continue to participate in many online classes and in my author Facebook group. I have recently become part of a local writer’s group. My other goal for 2023 is to find more venues where I can talk about my journey as a writer and encourage others to pursue their dream of writing a book!
What is your favorite book of all time?
The Bible. I have many books I read for leisure and entertainment, but I have read the Bible since I was a child, and each time I read it I come away with something new I learned. The Bible is the #1 Best Seller of all time! I was exceedingly excited to sit in on a fiction book writing class recently where the writer giving the class encouraged us to look at the numerous stories within the Bible to get creative ideas in putting our personal “take or edge” on Biblical stories. I cannot think of a better place for me to get my inspiration!
Author Websites and Profiles
Gail Scoates Website
Gail Scoates Amazon Profile