Larry B. Gildersleeve Shares His Journey From Lifelong Dreamer To Award-Winning Novelist

Larry B. Gildersleeve, bestselling novelist and master of heartfelt narratives, captured at his creative best.

From Hospitality Career To Literary Success

Award-winning author Larry B. Gildersleeve discusses his inspiring journey, his storytelling process, the faith-filled themes in his novels, and how second chances and mentorship shaped his literary success.

Larry B. Gildersleeve stands as a shining example of the fulfilment of lifelong dreams through perseverance, passion, and faith. A Southerner with roots deeply embedded in Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky, Larry’s journey from a promising young creative writer to an award-winning novelist is as inspiring as the stories he crafts. With a career that once spanned bustling cities and the ever-changing demands of the resort and hospitality industries, Larry’s eventual return to Kentucky marked the blossoming of a long-held aspiration: to become a published author.

His novels, including Dancing Alone Without Music, Follow Your Dreams, The Girl on the Bench, and the heartfelt Blue by You, offer readers a beautiful fusion of poignant storytelling, rich character development, and a mastery of dialogue-driven prose. With his thoughtful “light touch” approach to exploring themes of faith, resilience, and inspiration, Larry’s works transcend the label of romance, resonating deeply with a diverse array of readers. It’s no surprise that his storytelling draws comparisons to the likes of Nicholas Sparks, while also carving out a distinctive voice that is uniquely his own.

Larry’s journey speaks to the transformative power of dedication and mentorship, particularly through his collaboration with Lynda McDaniel, who helped him uncover his true authorial voice. His writings transport readers to evocative settings, from the serene Colorado mountains to the vibrant streets of cities like Washington, D.C. and Nashville, bringing clarity and authenticity born from personal experience and a lifetime of travel.

In this special feature, we delve into Larry’s creative process and explore the themes and inspirations behind Blue by You, a moving tale of rediscovery and second chances. As you’ll soon discover, Larry B. Gildersleeve isn’t just a storyteller but a craftsman of hope and humanity, inviting readers into worlds that feel both intimate and universal. We’re thrilled to host this remarkable author in the pages of Reader’s House, and we invite you to embark on this literary journey with him.

“Larry B. Gildersleeve captivates readers with exceptional storytelling, compelling dialogue, authentic characters, and inspiring themes of faith and hope.” – Larry B. ildersleeve

What inspired you to write “Blue by You”, particularly the theme of second chances and rediscovering life after loss? 

I was fascinated by the idea of two people being together for less than a week, falling in love, then meeting again decades later when illness robbed one of them of her memory of their time together, allowing them to fall in love all over again in a different time and place. Linda Ronstadt and I are about the same age, and I’ve been a fan ever since she came to prominence in 1967. She’s mentioned in my book, and the title Blue by You is wordplay on her memorable covering of Roy Orbison’s iconic song Blue Bayou.

“Simply, I decided to write what I knew.” – Larry B. ildersleeve

Daniel’s retreat to the Colorado mountains plays a significant role in the story.  How did you choose this setting, and what does it represent for Daniel’s emotional journey? 

I needed a remote location to create geographical separation for Daniel from the tragedy he experienced living in Washington, D.C. I’ve been to Colorado numerous times over the years, and the fictional mountain town I created held emotional significance in his life.

Paula’s memory loss creates a unique dynamic between her and Daniel upon their reunion.  What challenges did you face in writing this aspect of their relationship, and how did you navigate those challenges? 

The biggest challenge was creating a believable, and factual, cause for the memory loss, and that was accomplished by research. How the two characters dealt with the memory loss to create a “new beginning” was the story I’d envisioned writing for years, and it was a joy to see it all come together.

“Readers have said that they get a real sense of the setting because of the detail in my work.” – Larry B. ildersleeve

Without giving away any spoilers, what message do you hope readers take away from “Blue by You”? 

Regardless of how desperate a person’s situation appears to be in the moment, life goes on. There are do-overs in life, and new beginnings.  

 You mentioned that your corporate career took you to various cities before returning to Kentucky, where you found inspiration to pursue your dream of becoming a published author. How did your experiences in these different locations influence your writing and storytelling? 

In addition to Colorado, my domestic and international travels enabled me to write authentically about Washington, D.C. (where I once lived), and Nashville, where I go from time to time since it’s less than an hour’s drive from where I live. In my finished but yet-to-be-published fifth novel, I have settings in both Seattle, again where I once lived and worked, and Australia, where I visited over a dozen times in connection with my resort industry career.

Your journey to becoming a published author involved working with a writing coach and editor, Lynda McDaniel. Can you share more about how this collaboration shaped your writing process and helped you find your unique voice as an author? 

In retirement, I began my author journey over ten years ago, and to date I’ve had no formal instruction. Lynda is an award-winning author in her own right, and through countless email communications and numerous manuscript exchanges, she helped me find “my voice” and expertly guided me from novice to award-winning novelist.    

“Historical fiction readers want to be in that other time and to be both comfortable in the setting and an invisible spectator.” – Larry B. ildersleeve

Your novels are described as Christian with a “light touch” and Inspirational, aiming to appeal to a broader secular audience. How do you balance incorporating themes of faith and inspiration while ensuring your stories resonate with a diverse readership? 

One or more of the characters in each of my four novels is “of faith,” and it both defines them and guides them in their life’s journey. It’s talked about occasionally, but never at length, between the characters, and never judgmental. The “light touch” can best be described as characters being more faithful than religious, a distinction intended to create appeal to a broader secular audience.

Your writing style has evolved over time, with shorter, fast-paced chapters and engaging dialogue between memorable characters. How do you approach character development, and what techniques do you use to create believable and relatable characters? 

Readers and professional reviewers attest to what I regard my greatest strength — creating engaging dialogue between memorable but flawed characters. It is through their conversations and accompanying interaction that they reveal themselves over time. I endeavor to write like people speak, giving each character a unique voice, and reading their words aloud many times to assure hoped-for authenticity. I’ve carefully studied books by authors such as Robert B. Parker and Stuart Woods, both now deceased, who mastered dialogue-driven short chapters with page-turning endings.

Here’s a video link to my YouTube to help. https://youtu.be/xnLHpoZXXlw