Interview with Scott Gale, author of "Your Family Constitution"
Tracee Gleichner
October 25, 2009
For more information on his book or to learn how to create your customized Family Constitution visit: http://www.yourfamilyconstitution.com/ or e-mail: sgale@yourfamilyconstitution.com .
Where are you from?
Irvine, California
When and why did you begin writing?
I begin writing in early-2008 because I had created a parenting tool that I felt like others could use.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
The first time I saw a printed copy of the book. It was exciting to see all the hard work pay-off.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I originally created my family´s first constitution out of sheer necessity. My wife and I had been struggling to stay on top of things, as we were out of synch and had no clear vision for how to proceed. My kids were frustrated and confused because our rules were reactive and subject to change based on circumstance. On Mother´s Day 2007, my nine-year-old son and I got in an argument that ultimately resulted in me taking a twelve-mile hike home from Laguna Beach to cool off. I knew at that point something had to change.
In the weeks that followed, I received a constitution outlining the rules of my fantasy football league, which I modified to spell out new boundaries and structure for my family. It worked well and we steadily improved over the next couple of years. When my friends kept emphasizing what a special tool I had created, I decided to share it with other parents through this book.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I suppose it would be honesty and humor. I am willing to share some embarrassing stories to drive points that I feel will help readers grasp my meaning.
How did you come up with the title?
I named it after the parenting tool. I had created a Family Constitution for my family. Since I was now sharing it, I decided to call it Your Family Constitution.
Is there a message that you want your readers to grasp?
Yes. It is important that as parents we step back and evaluate what is important to us and to create a well-understood plan of achieving those elements. Expectations and communication are critical, so spend the time to create a structure that will help your family evolve in the direction you want.
How much of the book is realistic?
100%. All stories and advice are true and from the heart. I have changed the names for those stories involving others, but the content is real.
What books have influenced your life most?
The Four Agreements
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
The Last Lecture
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Stephen Covey. He is a master of helping people digest information that makes a difference in the way they approach life.
What books are you reading now?
The Elegant Universe. I just started it.
What are your current projects?
I have two main ones. I am developing a speaking series to help parents create their own Family Constitution. I am also in the process of raising capital to go acquire land, as that was my career before I wrote this book.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
I would have to say my business partners. They allowed me to focus on my book for a while because they knew it was important to me. They also reviewed early copies and gave me very valuable feedback.
Do you see writing as a career?
I see it as a part-time career. My goal is to write a book during each real estate downturn.
What do you think makes a good story?
A combination of good characters and bad decisions. This helps readers identify with a story and learn from it.
Did you learn anything from writing a book?
I learned a lot about myself. It was a very therapeutic process that helped me realize how to prioritize my goals and act accordingly.
Your Family Constitution Helps Busy Parents to Create Manageable Family Structure Just in time… a formerly stressed-out dad´s perspective provides a common-sense playbook to reach family harmony. As today´s parents cope with scores of competing obligations and responsibilities, raising kids with good core values is an extreme challenge. Combine this perpetual struggle with the effects of technological distractions, societal lack of discipline, and failures to communicate, and it is not hard to understand why so many parents throw up their hands in defeat and accept mere survival.
Author Scott Gale refused to settle for chaos. Instead, he designed a powerful tool that allowed him to alleviate family challenges through the thoughtful application of clarity, consistency and commitment (the "3Cs"). Your Family Constitution tells his story and provides a step-by-step process that parents can follow to balance schedules and produce time they never before had, improve family communication, relieve pent-up frustration, and wrap healthy boundaries around core values; applying rewards, consequences and accountability standards to maintain them.
A stressed-out parent downloaded the first chapter and replied, "You are easy to read, easy to understand and easy to identify with. It seems that intentional parenting has gotten lost, and you've provided a blueprint for creating a family with positive family values, ideals and rules to live and grow by. So, thanks for your courage to detail your own experience and offer personal insights for the benefit of frustrated, busy and untrained parents."