Interview with Author Gayle Roper

Author Gayle Roper

Gayle Roper was the speaker at a writer's seminar that I attended some years ago, and let me tell you, she was fabulous! From developing characters to writing great fiction and beyond, the info was helpful and  memorable. I still have my notes from that conference, it was that good. Imagine how pleased I was when she agreed to an interview.

Karen: Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Gayle: Becoming a writer was one of those God-surprises that turn out to be absolutely perfect. I come from a family of teachers and was a teacher after I graduated. When our boys came, I stayed home with them, but I quickly got bored. I started to write to keep my mind active. I’ve always liked to read, so writing seemed something I might like too. Needless to say, I loved it and have been doing it ever since.

Karen: How did you get into writing for publication?

Gayle: At first I just wrote little scenes or descriptions for the fun of it. Then I thought I might as well try something of value and see if I could sell it. I wrote a short story for teens based on something that happened when I was teaching, sold it to a teen magazine, and made ten whole dollars! I was a writer. Then I tried a mystery novel since I loved to read them. It actually sold too. I was off, though the ride hasn’t been nearly as smooth along the way.

 
Karen: What kind of research did you do for the Amish Farm Trilogy?

Gayle: As someone who has lived in this area for more than forty years, I have watched and read and thought about this fascinating culture for a long time. When I see a young Amish woman gliding along on her inline skates, I wonder if she knows they are a product of the very technologically dependent petro-chemical industry. When I watch a buggy with Mom and the kids fighting heavy traffic on US 30 so they can go to Walmart, I wonder if keeping the legalism is worth the danger. When I see the little schoolhouses and think about education stopping at eighth grade, I wonder what an Amish child with a high IQ and an inquisitive mind does to scratch the yearning for knowledge itch.

To make certain that my observations and thoughts were accurate, I read material by sociologists like John Hostetler and Donald Kraybill. I asked questions all over the place. I had lunch with artist Susie Riehl and her friend and agent Shirley Wenger to learn Susie’s story.

Karen: What kinds of characters are your favorites to develop?

Gayle: I like characters with a past, flawed people who have found and are still finding freedom in Christ. If they are also a bit eccentric, all the better, but the eccentricity has to have a direct effect on the story or it’s just fluff.

 

Karen: What book (to date) was the most difficult to write?

Gayle: Whatever book I’m writing at the moment. Certainly some have special issues, like Allah’s Fire which I co-wrote with a former Army Ranger. I’d never co-authored before and was used to being in charge. It’s hard to learn to play with others. That special challenge aside (which I think we resolved into a very fine book), it’s whatever I’m currently working my way through.

Karen: Thanks for sharing with us, Gayle. 
Gayle: It was my pleasure.

Gayle's books include the Seaside Series, mysteries set in a seaside town much like where I grew up. I bought Book One at the conference and of course had to buy the other three. :) I highly recommend them.

I'm looking forward to checking out the Amish Farm Trilogy. Book One is out; Book Two will be released in September 2010. Visit Gayle's website for more info.


Thanks for stopping by. Blessings to you all. Happy Writing!