Author Visit by Daisy and PhoebeHinchley Wood School was delighted to have had Gemma Malley come and visit so she could talk to year 8. Phoebe and I were lucky enough to be able to chat to her for a few minutes.
We found out that she has always loved reading and writing, even when she was a child. She had also worked as a journalist and so got quite a lot of her ideas from stories she worked on. To any young students – here is what she said when asked for some tips "to be honest, and this sounds obvious, but just read and write". According to Gemma, authors will always read through their books and be really critical, and want to change absolutely everything. Gemma also has found that she can relate to every single one of her characters, and when she’s writing as them, she feels like she adopts some of their personalities. Many people who become authors have wanted to be an author since childhood, Gemma didn’t. She feels like it just happened. Where as many authors can feel threatened by the increase in eBooks, Gemma doesn’t, Gemma’s books have come out in eBook form, and she owns a kindle herself, but hopes that there is a place for both eBooks and paper copies. What do you think? Do you think there is a place for both eBooks and paper books? Do you think eBooks will take over paper books? |
However, if you want to become an author you’ve got to prepare to be alone for long periods of time. Apparently, it can also bring out the schizophrenic side in people. It’s very lonely, but when the book is finished and has good sales you’re very happy, although critical of your books.
Of all of the books Gemma has written, her first one – The declaration is her favourite book. She felt like she had accomplished so much. Her favourite character in her books is Frankie and her favourite fiction character ever is Winston Smith from 1984. Surprisingly, she got published remarkably easily. Her friend works as an agent for bloomburg, and wanted to read one of her books, so she emailed her first book to her friend. Her friend then got straight on the phone to bloomburg and she got published from there. Phoebe and I really enjoyed interviewing Gemma. |