Maria Gill
Where were you born?
Auckland.
Where do you live now?
Rodney.
Where did you go to school?
Edendale Primary, Remuera Intermediate, Selwyn
College for six months, then moved to Australia and went to Southport State
High, Southport, Gold Coast (and did one year of correspondence school while we
travelled).
Did you have a nickname?
No.
What were you like in school?
Quiet, dreamer, book-nerd.
What is the naughtiest thing you did?
I wagged (missed) school while at Southport State
High School.
What was your favourite book growing up?
I can jump puddles, Enid Blyton,
Nevil Shute.
Who is your favourite children’s author?
lan Bradley, Katherine Applegate, Margaret Mahy.
What is your favourite food/colour/movie?
Greek salad, blue-green, My Brilliant Career.
Who inspired you to write?
It was something I always wanted to do (from 12
years old). When I started reading picture books to my children I became more
determined to write my own books.
How did you get started? How old were you?
I was in my early forties and my daughter was in
afternoon kindy. I finally had time to attend courses and start writing.
Why did you want to be a writer?
I’ve always loved reading books and wanted to
create some of that magic myself.
How do you think up ideas?
Sometimes they just pop into my head, sometimes
it is something I’ve heard (on TV, news, etc.) or I read about something and
thought it would make a great story.
Do you have a special place where you write?
I have my own office. It fits two desks and a
bookcase.
What is the best thing about being an author?
It’s very creative so it is very fulfilling, and
I can be my own boss.
Have you had a funny or embarrassing moment as an author?
I’ve had a lot of laughs with other authors and
illustrators. We tend to see the funny side of life.
What do you do when you are not writing?
I’m reading – no surprises there, walking on a
local beach, or cooking for the family.
What would you have chosen to be if you were not an author?
A journalist or photographer.
Which famous person from the past would you like to talk to?
Gerald Durrell – he would have many interesting
and funny animal stories. Also Frank Worsley – such an adventurer.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself?
I travelled around Australia with my parents and
two siblings for two years in between attending High School on the Gold Coast.
We lived in a caravan and fossicked for gemstones, fished in outback-rivers,
and met many interesting characters. While in my early twenties I travelled to
England, Europe, India, China and the Middle East (Israel, Egypt). I worked as
a Nanny, barmaid, grape picker, ice cream scooper, and shepherdess. When I came
home after three years away, I trained as a Primary School teacher. I taught at
Intermediate for three years, before having my own children. I relief taught
over a ten-year period at schools, for Parent Centre, and taught four-year olds
school-preparatory lessons.
Website/blog details:
www.mariagill.co.nz
http://kidsbooksnz.blogspot.co.nz
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maria-Gill-Childrens-Books/175090609206453
https://twitter.com/mariagillnz