13 Questions shine Operation Awesome's Spotlight
on this
2022 Debut Author
Finding Grace: In a world that sometimes seems out of control, we are each on our own journey in hope of finding grace by Gary Lee Miller
1- Is there a reason you opted to use bus transportation in your story?
Yes. Bus travel presented the best opportunity to introduce Judith to a broad cross-section of people from various socio-economic groups. Plus, that enabled me to also provide Finding Grace’s readers with an entertaining travelogue from California to Tennessee.
2- Would you please, in 160 characters or less, give a #WriteTip ?
Write what you know and be passionate about it.
3- What emotions do you hope your book will evoke for the reader?
Finding Grace is a though-provoking book about what’s truly important in life, and that can be different for each reader. Based on what readers have shared with me, they were able to identify with many of Finding Grace’s characters. Every reader said they had laugh out loud moments along with tears of sadness that made them think about their lives and those they love. Overall, the reader will experience inspiration and hope.
Spoiler Alert! – If you like happy endings, you are going to LOVE Finding Grace!
4- Your character is named Judith Lee, you're Gary Lee Miller-- is there a story behind the "Lee" name use?
Definitely. That was a way to pay homage from previous generations to future ones by carrying on a family tradition. The middle name “Lee” began with my grandfather, then my father, then me, then my youngest daughter, then my granddaughter. Also, I enjoyed using first names in the book of many close friends and relatives to honor them.
5- Would you share a picture with us of your book and a bus?
Yes. The bus is on the cover, along with Judith and her rolling bag and shoulder bag. Both rolling and shoulder bags play an on-going, humorous role in her cross-country journey.
6- How do you support your fellow debut authors and have any of them supported you?
I’m a member of a private online author’s group and when they ask questions, I try to provide them with some guidance. The greatest support I received was with a generous testimonial for Finding Grace from a debut author who had made the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-seller list.
7- What is your favorite book to movie adaptation?
That’s easy. My favorite movie is “The Godfather,” having seen the movie first, then buying the book. I was struck by how true the movie adaptation was to the book.
8- What is your favorite creative non-writing activity to do?
I’m an “experience” junkie. I love the theater, concerts, and travel. I also do some acting as a hobby, working 3 or 4 projects a year. I have appeared in “42”, Hunger Games – Catching Fire, Anchorman 2, and over thirty other movie and TV projects. All these activities give me the opportunity to people watch, which observations were used in creating many of the characters in Finding Grace.
9- In what ways are the main characters in your book diverse? diversebooks.org #WeNeedDiverseBooks
The diversity in Finding Grace has drawn much praise. During Judith’s cross-country bus trip, she meets many characters reflecting the melting pot of America. Those range from Native Americans, Asian-Americans, Blacks and more. There are many thought-provoking questions for the readers that are posed by the characters Judith meets during her journey.
10- What's the biggest writing goal you hope to accomplish in your lifetime? #WriteGoal #BucketList #WriterBucketList
My biggest goal is not a writing goal. I have already exceeded my writing goal expectations with Finding Grace having received 5 national book awards. It’s humbling.
My biggest goal is to now bring Finding Grace to the movie or TV screen. I first wrote the screenplay before writing the novel. It will be easier to pitch to production companies now that it can be presented as “An Award-Winning Novel.”
11- What was the query process like for you?
Actually, my publisher came to me. One of their executives was given my screenplay to read from one of my friends. They liked it and scheduled a Zoom call, asking me if I would be willing to turn it into a full, fiction novel.
12- Would you please ask our audience an intriguing question to answer in the comments?
Think of the one person who has had the most positive influence in your life. How have you let them know the impact they made on your life?
13- Anything else you would care to share about your book and yourself?
—Brian Helgeland, Academy Award-winning screenplay writer of L.A. Confidential
About the Author
Prior to Gary Lee Miller beginning his writing career, he was a successful businessman and entrepreneur.
Miller’s writing is rooted in life experiences and people who has crossed his paths in his life’s journey. He draws on his ability to translate his observations into very relatable stories by readers.
Gary lives in “the Scenic City of the South” Chattanooga, Tennessee and has two adult daughters and one granddaughter who live close by. His favorite hobby is occasionally acting in movies and TV and he is listed in IMBD (Internet Movie Data Base).
Website: http://garyleemillerbooks.com
Facebook: @garyleemillerbooks
Twitter: @garymillerbooks
IG: @findinggracebook
Finding Grace: In a world that sometimes seems out of control, we are each on our own journey in hope of finding grace by Gary Lee Miller
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