Interview with Gale Stanley

Gale Stanley

Call of the Wilds (Book 1 – Black Wolf Gorge Series)

5/5 Stars

Hi everyone! It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Gale Stanley, author of Call of the Wilds. Gale: Thank you so much for letting me read your fantastic novel and allowing us to delve into your mind!

Book Questions:

1. What inspired you to write Call of the Wilds?

Wow, this is actually the toughest question. I was working a full time day job, but I was also reviewing for RT magazine and writing for the Cup of Comfort anthologies.  In the back of my mind I had a barebones idea for a novel and a male character – Malcolm. For me it’s all about the characters and the story develops around them. I started writing a sci-fi story about cloning but it didn’t go anywhere. Then I had another idea for a vampire story. But Malcolm wasn’t happy until I realized he was really a Lycan. After that it all just fell into place. Well not exactly, but at least we were going in the right direction.

2. What is your favorite scene in the book?

All the love scenes. Just kidding. Actually I like the scene in the wolf enclosure because it brings out the characters playful nature. And Malcolm gets to rescue the damsel in distress again.

3. After reading the first chapter, I immediately labeled your novel as “different.” No big city background. No ultra glam characters. What attracted you to the secluded small town of Black Wolf?

Black Wolf is actually a fictional town in the very real Pennsylvania Wilds. Malcolm’s traumatic past and his need for secrecy led him to an area of unspoiled forests and mountains – paradise for a man who needs to let loose and run on four legs. And Karin’s desire to leave the city for a more peaceful life brought her to Black Wolf. She didn’t get what she was looking for, but maybe she got something better.

4. The spicy love scenes in Call of the Wilds are some of the best I’ve ever read in the romance genre. What is your strategy/thought process for approaching a love scene?

I always think of the sexual encounters as love scenes and not just sex scenes. This is primarily a romance, but one that opens the bedroom door (or wherever) and lets the reader experience the physical connection as well as the emotional. The real challenge is to keep these scenes unique and fresh so the story doesn’t start to sound like a how to book. I try to use the emotional response and the sexual chemistry between the characters to add a new dimension each time they come together.

5. The plot takes twists and turns I never saw coming. Did you have the complete plot drawn out from the beginning, or did the characters take over during the writing process?

I totally write by the seat of my pants. I can’t outline to save my life. I’ve taken workshops, read books and I use writing software – it just doesn’t work for me. I always start with the characters. When they settle in and I get a good start I can usually see the ending. Then getting from point “A” to point “B” is always an adventure.

6. Frank, the town’s sheriff, is the scariest character I have ever seen! How did you go about putting yourself into his character?

It really wasn’t that hard. Not that it came from personal experience, of course. I read just about everything. And I’m a big fan of horror, true crime and psychological thrillers. I love Stephen King, Ann Rule, Keith Ablow, Jeffery Deaver and Mo Hayder. They really get inside the villains head and let the reader see what makes him tick. I just tried to walk in Frank’s shoes. And I lived with these characters so long, they really did talk to me.

7. What was one of the most surprising things you learned while writing Call of the Wilds?

I discovered I could work on more than one project at a time. I had always thought I’d have to finish one story before I could begin another. But while I was working on CALL OF THE WILDS I started getting ideas for books 2 and 3. I jotted them down but pretty soon I was fleshing them out and the stories were taking shape.

Personal Questions:

8. Are you working on a new novel? If so, can you tell us a little about it?

MATING CALL is due for release in November. Siren just posted the blurb so I guess I can reveal it here.

[Erotic Paranormal Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, Shape-shifter, Bondage] Human contact is the last thing Sable wants and the she-wolf lives wild to avoid any chance encounters. But when a hunter sees her transform into his quarry, she becomes fair game. Jude and his twin capture the feral creature but lust blurs the line between captor and captive.

I just submitted Book 3. The working title is CAPTIVE. This one moves between Black Wolf and New Mexico. And I have two contemporary MM romances coming out.

SILENT KNIGHTS will be released in October from Silver Publishing. I just got the cover and posted it on my blog and POINT OF BEGINNING in January 2011, is also from Silver. And I have a few works in progress.

9. Where is your favorite writing spot located?

I use a spare bedroom for my office. I have my desk, laptop and shelves for books on writing and research. It’s comfortable and I can shut the door to distractions. But I keep pens and notepads all over the house because you never know when an idea will hit you.

10. Congratulations on escaping “cubicle hell!” What was the hardest/scariest thing you overcame while transitioning to an accomplished author?

The hardest part for me is putting my baby out there and waiting and hoping the readers will like what I’ve done. I don’t think it’s something I’ll overcome. To me it’s scarier than submitting to a publisher, because in the end it’s all about the readers. Throughout my life, reading has entertained me in the good times and provided escape in the bad. I get a lot of joy and satisfaction if I can do that for someone else.

11. What do you like to do when you are not writing? Any special talents?

We just bought a secondhand piano and I’m trying to teach myself to play. It’s just something I always wanted to do. And if I can learn Jingle Bells by Christmas, I’ll be happy.

Fun Questions:

12. Which would you order: chocolate cake or apple pie?

No contest – chocolate cake.

13. Which professional would you hire: hair stylist or make-up artist?

Neither. I’m very low maintenance – a total beach person, shorts, sweats, bare feet and frizzy hair.

14. If you could receive a lifetime supply of one fruit, what would it be?

Hmm… Can I have whipped cream with my strawberries?

15. Where would you go for a dream vacation?

Any beach.

16. Would you rather read the book or watch the movie adaptation?

Read the book! The parts I fill in with my imagination always surpass anything I see on the screen.

Thanks for having me Zee. It was fun. And a big thank you to the readers. I appreciate each and every one of you.

COMMENT: Answer one (or more) of the fun questions!