Gail Pallotta | Spread the Christmas Joy

The Love and Power of Christmas

The miracle of Christmas fills my heart to nearly bursting and overwhelms my human thoughts every year. The depth of God’s love so far exceeds man’s comprehension some say the love inside us didn’t come from Him. They claim chemicals in the brain produce it or it was implanted in us when we were born. Even if that were so, where did the chemicals or the implant come from? At Christmas more than any other time of the year I’m reminded where this gift comes from.

So many memories of Christmas flood my mind, watching A Christmas Carol on television with my cousin when we were young, cooking the festive foods, wrapping the gifts, sharing with friends and others we didn’t even know. The list goes on and on.

But one stands out. Year after year it’s my favorite time of the season.

It’s Christmas Eve in Georgia. The pots and pans in my kitchen are washed and dried. The rolls of wrapping paper are empty; the presents under the tree. My husband, my daughter and I leave the house and ride on deserted streets into a cold, dark night. We pull into the church parking lot and go inside.

We find a seat in the back, where the woman beside me brushes flour from her skirt. I smile at her and settle into the peacefulness reflected by the Christmas tree glimmering at the altar. Bright green wreaths with red bows line the sanctuary filled with a quiet congregation dressed in red and green. All of the hustle-bustle of the season leaves me as I listen to Isaiah 9: 6, “For unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The minister re-tells the Christmas story, and I think of the sacrifice God made for us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Ushers hand out candles, lighting one on the end of each row. The overhead lights go dim. We pass the flame from one person to another while we sing “Silent Night.” I am still. I rejoice in Jesus’ birth. We finish with, “Sleep in Heavenly peace.” The lights come on, and I glance at my watch. It’s midnight. The choir stands, and the magnificent sound of the “Hallelujah Chorus” sends the love and power of Christmas throughout the church.

Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s a wife, Mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A former regional writer of the year for American Christian Writers Association, she won Clash of the Titles in 2010. Her teen book, Stopped Cold, finished fourth in the 16th Annual Preditors and Editors readers’ poll and was a finalist for the 2013 Grace Awards. She’s published short stories in “Splickety” magazine and Sweet Freedom with a Slice of Peach Cobbler. Some of her published articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums. Visit her web site at http://www.gailpallotta.com

Blog http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com
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Twitter  Gail Pallotta @Hopefulwords

Gail Pallotta {Writer Wednesday}

Hello and happy Wednesday! It's been a full few weeks for me but I'm happy to announce that I've finished all photos from the ACFW Conference! This means I may actually get some time to write here or there ;) But, for today, I'm excited to introduce you to author Gail Pallotta. Give her a big welcome!!

She has also offered to do an ebook GIVEAWAY of her novel Stopped Cold. Make sure you comment below (by 9pm Monday the 14th) to enter for a chance to win this novel! I'll announce the winner next Tuesday, October 15!

A little bit about Gail...

Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s a wife, Mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. She’s been a Sunday school teacher, a swim-team coordinator and an after-school literary instructor. A former regional writer of the year for American Christian Writers Association, she won Clash of the Titles in 2010. Her new teen book, Stopped Cold, is a best-seller on All Romance eBooks. She’s published short stories in “Splickety” magazine and Sweet Freedom with a Slice of Peach Cobbler. Some of her published articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums.

How to connect with Gail...

Website: http://www.gailpallotta.com 
Blog: http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com
On staff at: http://www.clashofthetitles.blogspot.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17879103-stopped-cold
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMorehttps://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore
Twitter: @Hopefulwords
Purchase her book: on Amazon

Author Interview | Gail Pallotta


You & Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing?
...I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. The first published work was in a grammar school newspaper a friend and I put out. 

What has kept you writing? 
...It’s a part of me, what I do. My husband probably has the best explanation. He says I have pretend people running around my head, and I have to let them out. LOL.

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written?
...They’re all special in their own way.

What was the hardest thing about publishing?
...It’s hard to say which is more difficult, finding a publisher or promoting the book. The easiest? I’m not sure anything about it is easy, but the most fun part is getting the story down on paper.

Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about your book or what you’re working on currently?
...Stopped Cold is a Christian teen sports mystery set in a small town in the North Carolina mountains, but things aren’t what they seem in Mistville. Margaret McWhorter enjoys flirting with Jimmy Willmore, swimming and hanging out with friends—until that day. Her brother, Sean, suffers a stroke from taking a steroid. Now he’s lying unconscious. Margaret’s angry at her dad for pushing Sean in sports, but a fire of hatred burns inside her to make the criminals pay. Looking for justice, she takes Jimmy and her best friend, Emily, through a twisted, drug-filled sub-culture. Even the cop on the case can’t stop them from investigating. All the while Margaret wants to cure Sean, heal the hate inside, and open her heart to love.

Why are you/did you write it?
...First of all, I wanted to write a fun book. As a youngster I loved mysteries, especially when the kids, like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, solved the case. My book’s reminiscent of those amateur sleuths.

...The message rattled around in my head for a long time. Over the years I’ve seen instances when not being number one created great pain for a child or young adult. Whether the pressure came from within, peers, siblings or parents, the need to be “better than everyone else” rather than “the best one could be” often hurt and sometimes led to destruction. We don’t have to be number one for God to love us. He’s given each of us a gift or gifts to use for Him.

Do you have a favorite character in this work?
...I like them all, but if I had to choose, I’d pick Margaret. 

If so, why? 
...She’s someone I can relate to, sympathize with and definitely root for her. I want her to succeed in finding the drug dealers who hurt her brother and to find peace through her faith.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...God’s given each of us a gift or gifts to use for Him.

Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters?
...Life. Sometimes I experience something. Sometimes I observe something. Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both? Both.
When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories? 
...To write something people will enjoy reading that adds meaning to their lives.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Keep writing, learning about writing and don’t give up.

You

In honor of the fall, what’s your favorite fall treat?
...Chocolate. Hmm. Did I say chocolate?

When you were a child, what did you dream of growing up to be? 
...I’ve always loved to write, but at one time I remember wanting to be a detective.

Will you participate in National Novel Writing Month? If so, what’s your plan to keep your writing on track? 
...No. I’m working on several projects that are keeping me busy.

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Thank you so much for this wonderful interview Gail! I love your husbands explanation of why you keep writing! I too experience those "imaginary people" :) I really connected with what you said about being the best or being first. I see it often in the teens that I work with through my church - there is so much pressure on them to be the best in sports or school or music etc. and that transfers over into how they view God loving them. Almost like they have to be good enough for Him to love them. It's such a dangerous lie to believe.

Thanks again for sharing with us and for offering the GIVEAWAY! Don't forget, Readers, leave a comment below to enter for a chance to win Stopped Cold!