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Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Gail Lukasik, an accomplished author whose journey into writing took a remarkable turn later in life.
Gail never intended to write mysteries, but a challenge from her son changed everything. She fell in love with the genre and eventually became a published mystery novelist, despite facing rejection and setbacks along the way.
However, her most personal and unexpected discovery came when researching her own family history. Gail revealed a hidden secret that reshaped her identity and led to a powerful memoir about race, secrecy and self-discovery.
In this episode, Gail shares how she overcame the challenges of breaking into publishing, why she’s drawn to the structure and resolution of mystery novels, and how uncovering a deeply hidden family secret transformed her understanding of herself.
If you’ve ever thought about writing your own story or embracing a long-held passion, you won’t want to miss this conversation.
Gail’s journey is a testament to resilience, reinvention and the power of storytelling. Whether she’s crafting intricate mystery novels or uncovering the real-life mysteries of hidden identities, Gail approaches writing with curiosity, discipline and an unshakable passion.
Her love for mysteries stems from the satisfaction of solving a puzzle and restoring order to a disrupted world. That same narrative structure influenced her memoirs, where uncovering hidden truths became as compelling as any fictional whodunit.
Perhaps her most profound revelation came when she discovered her own mixed-race heritage — a secret her mother kept for a lifetime.
That discovery not only reshaped Gail’s sense of self, but also deepened her understanding of how identity, history, and family narratives shape our lives.
Through her story, Gail reminds us that it’s never too late to start something new, embrace our creative passions, or even redefine who we are.
Gail has written an impressive collection of books spanning both fiction and nonfiction. That includes her Leigh Girard Mystery Series featuring a breast cancer survivor-turned-investigative journalist who unravels deadly secrets in the scenic, but shadowy, world of Door County, Wis.
Beyond fiction, Gail’s personal journey led her to write two compelling nonfiction books, including:
- “White Like Her: My Family’s Story of Race and Racial Passing,” in which she uncovers her mother’s hidden racial identity and explores the complexities of race in America.
- “What They Never Told Us: True Stories of Family Secrets and Hidden Identities Revealed,” which is a powerful collection of real-life accounts from people who, like Gail, discovered shocking truths about their origins.
If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a novel, a poem, or even your own life story, Gail encourages you to trust your instincts, push through rejection and let your passion lead the way.
To learn more about Gail and her work, visit her website at www.gaillukasik.com, or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. For people in the Chicago area, Gail is an active member of Sisters in Crime, a group devoted to helping women who like to write crime-based stories.
That’s all for this week’s show. If you’d like to start living a more meaningful life, I encourage you to download our free guide to finding purpose, which is available at www.forwardfrom50.com.
I’ll have another inspirational interview on the next episode of the Forward From 50 podcast. Thanks for listening. If you like this show, please consider leaving a review wherever you download the episodes.
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After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.