Gayla K. Hiss Interview

Q: How did you get your start writing fiction and what genre do you predominantly write in?
That’s a great question. I originally began writing fictional stories as a way to escape and unwind from a stressful job. My eyesight had worsened from all the time I was on the computer at work, but I discovered that writing long-hand with a pencil and paper was relaxing and didn’t bother my eyes much.

I write inspirational romantic suspense. My books usually have a mystery thread in them too. I like lots of action and adventure in the outdoors, so my current series is set in the national parks.

Q: What does your writing space look like?
A: It’s a converted bedroom with lots of overflowing bookshelves. I use a drafting table for a desk. It makes a pretty good one too. For drawers, I repurposed an old art supply cabinet. It works for me.

Q: What part of a writing career do you find most difficult?
A. Editing and revising. My stories are fairly complicated so a change to one portion of the story may affect other areas. For example, if you change an element of the timeline, you have to make sure the rest of the timeline still holds. At the same time, I know that a certain amount of editing and revising is necessary to polish the story.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release WILDFIRE?
A: It’s the third book in my Peril in the Park series. Like the previous two books, it is set in a national park. In this case, it’s Rocky Mountain National Park. The hero, Dylan Veracruz, was a teenager in my first book, AVALANCHE. He’s now a firefighter in the national park. He joins forces with a wildfire researcher, Rachael Woodston, and together they try to solve the mystery behind the recent suspicious wildfires in the park. They’re both survivors who’ve suffered deep loss. However, their difference of opinion about faith keeps them at arm’s length, despite a growing attraction.

Q: What did you enjoy most about writing this book? Least?
A: I found firefighting in the national parks fascinating. It’s very different than fighting fires in cities. In many ways, wildland firefighters are like soldiers going into a war zone. There are so many complexities and challenges, such as the wilderness terrain, falling trees, the unpredictable nature of wildfires, etc. That’s why I thought the subject would make an interesting outdoor adventure story.

While I enjoyed researching wildfires and firefighting, at times it could be a bit overwhelming. I wanted to read as much about it as possible, but I also needed to finish the book. I’m thankful to have had good, knowledgeable people to consult with for the more specific information needed.

Q: What is the main theme or spiritual message of this book?
A: We’re not alone in the fire.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. It’s the fourth book in the series, set in Yellowstone National Park. The hero is Jake Mitchell, a young firefighter in WILDFIRE.

Q: If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?
A. Jesus Christ, and my husband and best friend, Jeff.

Q: Do you have a favorite hobby?
A. Right now, it’s traveling in our RV and visiting national parks. Last winter, my husband and I took a long RV trip and visited six national parks in the Southwest. It was an amazing trip and the perfect time to go while the weather was cold at home, but warm and sunny in the Southern states. In June, we took another national park tour in southern Utah and visited five more national parks and a national monument.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing you have ever done?
A. Probably becoming a published author. I dreamed about it for 20 years and decided that the odds of winning a lottery were greater than to become published. Then I “happened” to meet my publisher, Miralee Ferrell, at a writers’ conference, and she gave me my big break in publishing. It goes to show that you should never give up on your dreams. If you keep working toward them and believing, then anything is possible. I’m living proof.