Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
First of all, I’m a southern girl who is loving life on the Central Cali coast. According to my mother, I “wrote” my first story at age four. Before that, I had been inventing interesting stories about my stuffed animals since I could talk. I would follow my mom around while she tried to clean house or cook, telling her about the adventures “Bunny” and “Toby” had gotten into. One day, my mom realized she needed to capture the moment, pulled out a notepad, and begin writing down my story. Soon I learned to write for myself, and hundreds of short stories followed. As I got older, I went to work in student ministry, and suddenly my knack for storytelling became my tool for getting youth’s attention and communicating life lessons with them. After I left ministry, I started writing web serieses and short film scripts, hoping to one day create my own TV show. In the midst of this adventure, my husband took a job teaching Computer Engineering classes at a college on the Central Cali-Coast, uprooting our lives. Unfortunately, I got sick shortly after arriving in California. I spent about three and a half years in and out of the ER, and when I wasn’t headed to a doctor’s appointment I didn’t go anywhere. It’s hard to make new friends and enjoy life when you’re stuck in your house. I felt like my dreams were over. Thankfully, I started getting better. Doctors were able to figure out some of the issues that had made me so sick. In the process of healing, I decided I couldn’t wait any longer to make my TV show dreams a reality and retooled one of my projects for a novel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first novel is called Crazy Kind of Beautiful. This particular story sprung into my head after three different people in my life learned that they had siblings they had never met. I thought a lot about what we think of as a traditional family and how life so often doesn’t follow a picturesque road. Our journies often take crazy, unexpected turns but can still be rather beautiful, scars and all.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a finicky writer in that everything has to be just right for real progress to take place. I have one lawn chair that my mother in law made for me that sits in my garage. It’s really not the most comfortable chair, but it sits at just the right height. There is nothing to distract me in the garage, and I usually have a soda by my side.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My ultimate favorite writer is Dan Fogelman, who I don’t think has written any books. He created This Is US (the best show on TV in my opinion) and Neighbors to name a few. (If you missed the sitcom Neighbors, find it and watch it! So funny!) The shows he has put together makes me want to write beautifully woven together pieces about relationships.
Book wise, John Grisham was the first author that really made me believe I could have a future in writing. I think it had a lot to do with us both being from Mississippi at a time when I didn’t know a lot of successful writers/artists from my area. His book, The Client, was the first book to change my life. I was probably in sixth or seventh grade when I read it, and it was one of the first books I couldn’t put down. I remember hiding in my room reading it when I was supposed to be doing homework. Ironically, I like his sports fiction novels (Bleachers, Calico Joe) best, though he’s much more known for his legal thrillers.
What are you working on now?
I’m writing the sequel to Crazy Kind of Beautiful, which I hope to have out later this year (2021). I’ve got a dramedy pilot that I’ve been playing around with for a year now that I give a few hours to each week. I also have a writing partner that I met with a couple of times a week. We’ve been developing a sitcom for about a year now. Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to pitch it before too long.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am so new at promoting my material. Does anyone have suggestions for ME? Ha. I do most of it on Twitter and Instagram.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Again, I feel like I should be the one taking the advice rather than giving it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I think the best advice I have been given is to write what you enjoy and write often.
What are you reading now?
Honestly, I am reading every TV script that I can get my hands on in hopes of improving my two pilot script projects.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Right now, my goal is to focus on becoming the healthiest version of myself that I can be. Hopefully, in the process of doing that, I’ll finish my sequel and entertain more readers with my thoughts. Landing an agent would be great.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d bring a couple of John Grisham books with one of them being something by him that I haven’t read. I’d also bring my Bible.
Author Websites and Profiles
Whiskey Gray Website
Whiskey Gray Amazon Profile
Whiskey Gray’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
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