A dynamic book set in small town Pennsylvania which explores the intangible ties that form a family, a community and the influence that one man can make crossing social and economic lines. Readers will fall in love with Henry.
Today I would like to welcome author Robert Gately
Tell us about your latest book
My latest book, South of Main Street, has all the human twists and turns that one comes to expect from a Hallmark kind of story. The trouble begins when our hero inherits a multi-million dollar estate when his wife dies. His daughter sues him for financial control of the estate which sends him on a quest to prove he is normal - not an easy thing to do when you are not. Along the way he affects the lives of twelve people in a magnificent way in a town sharply divided by have and the have-nots.
What is your preferred writing routine?
I’m most creative in the morning, so I compose during that time. In the afternoon and evening, when my creative part of the brain is spent, I edit. It seems I’m most effective when I cater to my bi-cameral brain. They seem to be most useful during different times of the day.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
If you have the passion to write I can give no furtive advice that you do not already know or practice. So, I’ll just say this: negotiate with your spouse and children for time needed to write. You may be putting your head in the sand like an ostrich if you don’t. When you decide to see what has been going on without your attention, you could be surprised that ‘life’ has gone on without you.
What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?
Right now I’m querying book review bloggers to read and post reviews of my book. The reviews I receive have been great – all 5s, but how does that translate to sales? Only time will tell. I’ve also been asking School Districts to use my book as part of their reading process with the note that I will come in to talk to the class if they want. The jury is still out as far as weighing in on the success of that endeavor.
Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research?
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
If you have the passion to write I can give no furtive advice that you do not already know or practice. So, I’ll just say this: negotiate with your spouse and children for time needed to write. You may be putting your head in the sand like an ostrich if you don’t. When you decide to see what has been going on without your attention, you could be surprised that ‘life’ has gone on without you.
What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?
Right now I’m querying book review bloggers to read and post reviews of my book. The reviews I receive have been great – all 5s, but how does that translate to sales? Only time will tell. I’ve also been asking School Districts to use my book as part of their reading process with the note that I will come in to talk to the class if they want. The jury is still out as far as weighing in on the success of that endeavor.
Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research?
That it doesn’t make any difference how well you write prose. I must have the skill to write a great query that will knock the socks off the reviewer, agent, producer or publisher.
What was the hardest scene you remember writing?
South of Main Street has thirteen characters most of whom had character arcs. In writing one such arc, I needed to show how wine (liquor) affected one character. I had to show, not tell. For me, writing, or showing, one person ‘getting’ drunk was hard. Walk in sober and leave the bar-restaurant tipsy. Very difficult! But it developed into one of the best scenes in the book.
What are you planning to write next?
What was the hardest scene you remember writing?
South of Main Street has thirteen characters most of whom had character arcs. In writing one such arc, I needed to show how wine (liquor) affected one character. I had to show, not tell. For me, writing, or showing, one person ‘getting’ drunk was hard. Walk in sober and leave the bar-restaurant tipsy. Very difficult! But it developed into one of the best scenes in the book.
What are you planning to write next?
Although most of my efforts today are in the marketing area, I want to expand a non-fiction work I’ve already completed. The title is “Fillossofee: Messages from a Grandfather”. The title says it all, but I feel it’s incomplete. There’s more proselytizing to do.
Robert Gately
About the Author
Robert authored of two novels, two non-fiction books, 12 screenplays and three stage plays since retiring early from AT&T in 1998. His body of work has been recognized as finalist or better in over 170 theatre, book and screenplay competitions around the world where his screen and stage plays alone have won a total of 27 contests and came in 2nd place in 19 others. One of his stage plays won a reading series at Abingdon Theatre in NYC and Ohio State University, and another, which he co-wrote, won Hollywood, London and Chicago. That play was showcased at the Venus/Adonis Festival at the Hudson Guild Theatre in NYC. Robert also taught adult education at Northampton County Community College in screenwriting after he retired, and was Temple University screenplay judge for their Senior Project class (Freese Award). Find out more at Robert's website http://www.rgately.com/
Robert Gately
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About the Author
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