Larry B. Gildersleeve: Award-Winning Novelist Blending Love, Faith, And Resilience Into Memorable Stories
From Corporate Life To Award-Winning Author
Larry B. Gildersleeve shares his journey from corporate executive to bestselling author, detailing his creative process, themes of faith and hope, and the inspiration behind Blue by You.
Bestselling author and award-winning novelist Larry B. Gildersleeve, celebrated for his heartfelt and inspiring storytelling, takes centre stage in the latest issue of Reader’s House magazine. The popular literature platform, known for spotlighting bestselling, award-winning, and exceptional authors, describes Gildersleeve’s work as “captivating readers through exceptional storytelling, compelling dialogue, authentic characters, and inspiring themes of faith and hope.”
The feature includes an in-depth interview where Gildersleeve shares insights into his extraordinary journey from a fulfilling corporate career in the hospitality industry to his ultimate dream of becoming a published author. His latest critically acclaimed novel, Blue by You, also comes under the spotlight, earning praise for its masterful depiction of themes such as second chances, love, and resilience. The magazine has hailed Gildersleeve’s ability to blend faith-driven inspiration with engaging narratives that appeal to a wide audience.
Reflecting on the origins of Blue by You, Gildersleeve shares, “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.”
The author’s creative process and deeply moving storytelling transport readers to evocative settings, such as the serene Colorado mountains and the vibrant streets of Washington, D.C. He discusses the personal experiences and extensive travels, both domestic and international, that have shaped his work. “Readers have said that they get a real sense of the setting because of the detail in my work,” Gildersleeve noted during the interview.
Gildersleeve also delves into the challenges of crafting believable memory loss and emotional reconnections in the novel. “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,” he explained.
Known for his signature “light touch,” Gildersleeve’s novels skilfully incorporate themes of faith and inspiration without alienating secular readers. “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,” he remarked.
The interview further explores how Gildersleeve’s collaboration with writing coach and editor Lynda McDaniel helped refine his craft, guiding him “from novice to award-winning novelist.” Gildersleeve credits dialogue-driven chapters and relatable, flawed characters as essential elements in creating memorable and evocative stories.