Meet Some UtopYA2015 Lovelies (Unofficial) : Ginny Gallagher

Please welcome the next guest in my Meet Some UtopYA2015 Lovelies (Unofficial) series. I met the amazing Ginny Gallagher in person at last year’s conference and highlighted her in my 2015 Lovelies post here.

Then, Ginny was the mastermind behind Gin’s Book Notes. But something amazing happened in the last year… Ginny is now writing, and her first book will be published later this year.

Ginny, I’m so excited that you are writing! Through Gin’s Book Notes and getting to know you, I know you have a passion for books, but what inspired you to write?

GG: I’ve always been a writer but being an author was one of those things that I always thought was beyond my capabilities. Then I went to UtopYA2015 and met all these amazing authors that I looked up to, and one of the many things that resonated with me was that this people were just like me. They were/are scared, they haven’t led a perfect life, they struggle to pay bills, get the laundry done, and many have jobs outside of writing. That was my “a-ha” moment, my you don’t have an excuse moment, and the moment I realized that I have just as much right to my dreams as others do. So I made a plan, derailed from said plan several times, and then got back to work on the plan. It takes courage and work—Lots of both.

Amen. It's all about persevering. So please tell us about the first book in The Cauldron Chronicles series?

GG: Oh…I’m so excited! I have five books planned and maybe a few bonus novellas. Book one is called Hawthorn Hedge. The main character Camille will soon turn sixteen and be sent to servitude training. But life doesn’t always go as planned, and in Camille’s case, it’s a blessing to discover that she might be more than she or anyone else ever believed her to be.

Sounds fantastic. I can't wait to read it. So, what's your writing process like? How did the story come to you?

GG: I’m still working on my writing process and trying on different things to see what works best for me. I need the structure of a brief scene outline to keep me on track, but then I like to see what happens with the characters with free writing within that scene structure. And I’m finding that rewriting is where a lot of things start to come together and make sense.

Revising is such an important component of writing. What other advice would you give new writers?

GG: This is the advice that I’m giving myself everyday: 

(1) Don’t get caught up in the details. You need to WRITE! Without a completed book (and more completed books) the details don’t matter. Before worrying about how to market yourself on Facebook worry about basic writing techniques. You can worry about the details while you are having your book edited.  

(2) Don’t get in a hurry. Plan things out. Give yourself time to learn and grow as a writer and as a new business owner because I promise you being an author is a business.

It so is! I've been asking all the lovelies... what's your favorite inspirational quote? Why?

GG: This one is hard for me because I really love quotes and my favorite changes weekly; sometimes daily. Right now I love:

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”― E.E. Cummings

I love that. Simple, yet so true. What do you think makes UtopYA, renamed Utopia for its fifth year in 2016, so special?

GG:  The amazing, wonderful, book-loving souls that gather to share, encourage, and plan new dreams together.  I love them and this event so much!

A couple of fun pictures from UtopYA2015...

Ginny with the fabulous Christina Mercer and Chelsea Starling...

 And one with the awesome Misty Provencher...

✮✮✮✮✮ Quick Answers ✮✮✮✮✮ 

Last Movie you Saw: Seventh Son (DVD) I really liked it.

Comedy, Romance, Drama, or Horror? Usually Romantic Comedy but I do love Action/Adventure. I’m a big super hero fan.

Last Book you Read: The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks

First Job: bussing tables

Gift cards or Cash? Gift cards

Favorite Vacation Spot: Utopia (Nashville, TN)...of course.

More about Ginny

A slightly sarcastic, happily married writer, cover designer, and blogger. I usually have marker or paint on my fingers and I’m happiest when I’m writing, creating, reading, or spending time with my family and 5 fur kids.

I’m currently working on rewrites for my debut YA Fantasy novel, Hawthorn Hedge, Book One in The Cauldron Chronicles. I hope to have books one and two of The Cauldron Chronicles published by the end of the year. I have a total of five books planned for the series. I also have a mystery series that I’m itching to write.

I believe in happily ever after’s, know that magic is real, and refuse to accept that the world isn’t full of rainbows and butterflies.

Social Media Links

Website: http://ginnygallagher.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorGinnyGal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGinnyGallagher

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorginnygal/

Please visit often for more UtopYA2015 Lovelies (Unofficial) interviews, 

and check out the announcement post to see

the schedule and links to past interviews.