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Meet Gloria Dean A lifelong professional artist and designer, Gloria has numerous interests, including flying, sailing, high school equitation and Taijiquan. Read more about her life, interests, and writing process in this interview below.
What do you read for pleasure?
I really enjoy a good novel, any era but I love a book with stylish living, with questions and intrigue, something I can take my time over, and read a little of each day. I also love a good children’s story with great illustrations too for example Borka by John Burningham or Dudley and the Strawberry Shake , byPeter Cross and Judy Taylor. Name some of your favourite authors Dirk Bogarde, Virginia Wolfe, Iris Murdoch Tell us about some of your favourite books and why they are favourites. I will try to pick a few from so many, Mrs Dalloway, Virginia Wolfe, because it brings about different emotions every time you read it. Dirk Bogarde’s Autobiography, because of the visual impact and poignancy in the writing. Long walk from Harrod’s, again by Dirk Bogarde, simply to enjoy the beautiful and moving writing of this man. The Alfred Munning’s trilogy…An Artist’s life, the Second burst and the Finish, because of the fascinating recounts, well written, sensitive, emotive and compelling. I have to add Dudley and the Strawberry Shake, because it brought tears of laughter to my small son and I, time after time, after time. The memories of which will never fade. Do you read digital books, and if so, what is your e reading device of choice? My MacBook Pro is my favourite when I read digital books, there is lots of space around the book, and I prefer it to a tablet or my phone. I do like a proper book, I enjoy the physicality of a printed book, it's very tactile, the weight and texture, even the smell. To sit in a favourite chair, in a beautiful room, with tea in my favourite 'Haddon Hall ' tea cup from Minton, is contentment. How do you spend your time when not writing? Creating in all it’s many forms, relaxing in my lovely home, practising and teaching Tai Chi. Do you remember the first story you ever read and the impact it had on you? Probably all the Noddy stories, I found them exciting, a little scary. I loved the illustrations and adored his car. Also I must add that it still has an impact on me now, because one of the books no longer seems to exist and no one but me seems to remember it, making me look crazy, and so I am determined to find it. It was a somewhat harrowing story, with Noddy being mugged. What motivated you to become an author? I have always wanted to write and illustrate stories. I wrote the first Harvey story many years ago, but kept them for family and friends. Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? Harvey Harvest Mouse goes House Hunting, a children’s story in rhyme, it is still in the process of being illustrated, and I have added two more adventures to the series since. Where did you grow up and how did this influence your writing? I grew up on my Grandparents farm in North Norfolk. I began writing and painting there and would wander for miles with pad and pencil writing about and sketching the animals and things I saw along the way, mainly animals. I go back to that time often, especially for inspiration regarding the countryside that my characters live in. I don’t think I am very good at planning a story in any precise way. I normally think of a character first and develop their personality, this usually starts because I have seen an animal or person that has caught my imagination somewhere, resulting in me telling a story ad lib about them. I do know the beginning and the ending though. Everything in between happens as I write. Tell us more about your writing process? I don’t think I am very good at planning a story in any precise way. I normally think of a character first and develop their personality, this usually starts because I have seen an animal or person that has caught my imagination somewhere, resulting in me telling a story ad lib about them. I do know the beginning and the ending though. Everything in between happens as I write. You have illustrated your books, and others; How do you approach cover design? I like to take one striking image from the book that best represents the essence of the story . Describe your desk I keep my desk very tidy, even when working, clutter disturbs me, and I cannot work until everything is cleared away and in order. I have a stack of ornate faux book storage files and decorative boxes, a plain bamboo pen box., My laptop, the printer, numerous manilla notebooks, sketchbooks and diary always at my right hand. What is the story behind your latest book? Al the Gecko had ambitions to be an artist, he related to human artists. Al Gecko captured my imagination, when I saw, because of his special Gecko feet, he could walk over shiny glass windows with no trouble at all. What would Al see when he looked through our windows, and what would he think? Lots of paintings would be the first thing surely. Now, could a little Gecko paint pictures? Of course he could. Read more about Al here I have tried other publishing routes, and had interest from a major agent, but then it seemed I had written an illustrated story, not a picture book, so it did not fit their profile. I have tried self publishing digitally, but did not find anything that gave a satisfactory experience until now. What are you working on next? My next two children's books, Chloe the Calico Cat and Spuddy Dog, are due to be released soon. I am also working on a new Al story and a novel. Who are your favourite authors? Dirk Bogarde, Virginia Wolfe, Iris Murdoch What Inspires you to get out of bed each day? The day, there is always something new awaiting, and often a little dachshund who won’t let me stay there. |