Meet Gillian
Reading and books. They have always been part of my life, whether it was reading science books at university, business books when my career changed course into the financial and software industry, or Chinese medicine books when I studied and morphed my career again into working as an acupuncturist. Lots of books, lots of learning. It’s lucky I love books and reading. The feel of them, the smell of them, and that little thrill that goes through you when you start to read the first page of the first chapter. What an adventure!
Undoubtably, novels have been a central force in my life, all the way through from ’Janet and Peter’ when I first learnt to read, to where I find myself today. Where else can you experience, laughter, tears, fear, anger, frustration, heartbreak etc etc etc, all safely wrapped up in the comforting covers of a novel? To read is one of my greatest life passions as well as one of my greatest life teachers.
Now my life has taken another twist, and I find myself authoring novels as well as reading them …and do you know what? I love it! So, here I am, putting them in your hands in the hope that you enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them. Happy page turning!
‘…an emotional tidal wave strong enough to shake the happy couple’s perfect life to its very core.’
Get to know Gillian
How did you come to be an author?
I loved to read since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I was always writing something, especially poems. But I also had, and still do have, a burning interest in Science and Nature, so I chose a different career path. Originally, I wanted to be a doctor but at eighteen felt I could not face the dissections that were part of the training … the thought scared the life out of me! I’ve had a varied and interesting career, but work demands meant my love of literature was confined to reading rather than serious writing. Now that I have hung up my day job, I have the bandwidth to be able to devote more time to something I love, literature ….. and now, with more life experience behind me, make the novels I write that much more interesting.
How did you come to be an author?
I loved to read since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I was always writing something, especially poems. But I also had, and still do have, a burning interest in Science and Nature, so I chose a different career path. Originally, I wanted to be a doctor but at eighteen felt I could not face the dissections that were part of the training … the thought scared the life out of me! I’ve had a varied and interesting career, but work demands meant my love of literature was confined to reading rather than serious writing. Now that I have hung up my day job, I have the bandwidth to be able to devote more time to something I love, literature ….. and now, with more life experience behind me, make the novels I write that much more interesting.
Which are your favourite books and why?
Novels that have stayed with me long after I have read the final page, those must be my favourites. So, from when I was younger, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I always wanted Jo to marry Laurie! What a lovely, heartfelt story. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This is a novel both beautifully written with powerful messages. It taught me so much about how to treat and not treat our fellow man. Captain Correlli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières, OMG I loved this book. It has it all. Life, love, humour, passion, highs and lows. It was sad that the film didn’t do it justice, so please don’t let that put you off reading it. Birdsong by Sebastian Fawkes. If you haven’t read it, please do. A story of the First World War, but above all, a story of heartbreaking romance …. which brings me to my final novel, Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. Was there ever a character your heart bled for as much as the gentleman farmer Boldwood? What a tale of romance and human character. I loved it!
There is quite a focus on animals, especially horses, in your book. It would seem you are a fan?
Yes, yes and yes. I love nature, and I love animals. How can people not fall in love those little eyes that look at you saying “You are my entire world, please don’t leave me, I love you too much to lose you!” Horses feature a lot in my writing. They are, in my opinion, the most beautiful creatures on earth. Claire in Not All That Glisters is a real horse lover, and hopefully my writing coveys some of that passion.
What do you think makes a good romance novel?
For me, the dynamics of the people involved in relationships is crucial. You must be able to understand why someone falls for an individual, even if the relationship that follows is totally unsuitable. I also believe that in a deep romance novel, which can be quite draining emotionally, their needs to be some aspect that can make you smile, characters that you can engage with in a lighter, more amusing way. Exactly what I love about the writing of Louis de Bernières.
Any plans to develop the Jack Leighman books into a series?
Good question. One thing I didn’t realise when I wrote Not All That Glisters is just how much you come to love some of the characters. Ending a novel is almost like putting them to sleep until you open the pages again. There are still more stories to tell about the characters lives, and a very important question that needs to be explored and answered. So yes, absolutely, there will be a sequel, and I am working on it right now! … and hopefully you would agree with me that a prequel about Uncle Richard would also make an interesting read, another project on the back burner!
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