Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Gail Ward Olmsted
Book Title: Miranda Writes
Released: 09/08/22
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction/Legal Fiction
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Miranda Writes”?
Olmsted: My lifelong friend Laurie was an attorney. She was very enthusiastic about my writing and loved the ideas I had for writing this book. The setting is the Connecticut shoreline, where I vacationed with Laurie and her family when we were younger. She died before Miranda Writes was finished, but I know she would have loved the book and that I dedicated it to her.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Olmsted: I tend to name characters after people I know- makes them feel instantly familiar! The name of the main character, Miranda Quinn, was a no-brainer as I was playing off the legal term ‘Miranda Writes’ but her best friend ‘Tracey' and her husband ‘Dale’ and Miranda’s agent ‘Brian’ are the names of some of our closest friends.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Olmsted: I am very visual, so I create storyboards for inspiration with photos, notes, ticket stubs…whatever brings me closer to the characters or the setting.
If "Miranda Writes" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Olmsted: For Miranda, I picture Kristin Wiig. She’s attractive, smart and witty and I think she would really bring Miranda to life on the big screen. For best friend Tracey, Kate McKinnon would rock the role. Smart, sassy and petite- just how I picture Tracey Ryan.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Olmsted: I try not to stress about it, so if I’m feeling blocked, I’ll do something else- go kayaking or for a walk or grab a coffee and read a book. For me, writing is fun, so it’s not something I get too worked up about.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Olmsted: For self-published authors, find a good editor, a professional who is familiar with your genre. It will be a worthwhile investment, as is spending money on a designer for your book cover. Also, get to know authors in your genre. I have found an amazing amount of support, ideas, and contacts from the writing community and I try to pay it back or pay it forward whenever I can.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Olmsted: I love thrillers, psychological suspense, and contemporary beach reads as well as historical fiction. My favorite authors are Stephen King, Michael Connelly, Elin Hilderbrand, Karin Slaughter, Dennis Lehane and Kate Quinn.
What are you working on next?
Olmsted: Great question! I just finished the first draft of a sequel: Miranda Nights, with Miranda ‘Randi’ Quinn now hosting a late night night call-in radio show. Complications arise when a ‘fanatical' fan decides that Miranda needs redemption and will stop at nothing to save her. It will be published by BRW on 7/6/23.
Learn More About the Author and Miranda Writes:
Website: www.GailOlmsted.com
Twitter https://www.twitter.com/gwolmsted
Facebook www.facebook.com/gailolmstedauthor
Email gwolmsted@gmail.com
Amazon www.amazon.com/author/gailolmsted
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gwolmsted
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8158738.Gail_Ward_Olmsted
Interested in checking out the book for yourself?
Find it for purchase here or Kindle Unlimited
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