Today Lovely Books Shines The Author Spotlight On…
E. J. (Erica) Gore
E. J. (Erica) Gore
Erica grew up in Brisbane, Australia, in the 1950/60s.
For an inwardly adventurous, but outwardly shy child, reading was a major part of life. Stories such as Enid Blyton’s ‘Famous Five’ adventures fired her imagination and
created new worlds for her to explore. Making up stories of her own followed as a natural progression, with Erica holding storytelling sessions for her stuffed toys each evening before bed.
Having overcome her shyness by taking drama classes at her mother’s insistence, Erica became a primary school teacher. She brought her love of story into the classroom, using narrative as a base for the units of work she planned for her students. Her core belief that stories provide children with a means of engaging with, and forming deeper understanding of, the world around them proved most successful in encouraging learning.
When she retired from the classroom, Erica began to write her stories down. ‘It was as though the time was right to be writing. The ideas were there and I had to let them escape from my brain and sort themselves out on paper.’
Erica’s characters are average kids. They do not have any special powers. They do not live in any fantasy worlds. Quick wits and keen observation skills are their weapons.
The main character, Taya, is the adventurous little girl that Erica longed to be. She has the adventures that Erica dreamed of having. She is a child who wonders about things and likes to figure out puzzles. She can be a scaredy-cat and she can be amazingly brave. She and her fiend, Chris, are likeable kids with whom young readers can easily identify.
Who wouldn’t want to be out and about solving mysteries and having adventures?
Erica still lives in Brisbane with her husband and their two mischievous dogs.
Author Interview
How long have you been writing? When did you decide to become an author?
Since 2012. After I retired from full-time classroom teaching, the time seemed right to put my stories on paper.
How do you find inspiration?
Inspiration is everywhere. I write about everyday children and events so I don’t have to look far for ideas. My dog, Trudy, is the inspiration for the character of Minette in my stories.
How do you go about writing a book? Do you have any schedule, tricks or tips to share?
I try to write everyday. Sometimes it is only a few notes or research notes and other days I will be able to type for hours. A lot of my ‘writing’ goes on in my head, usually at about two in the morning when I should be sleeping.
What kind of books do you read? Who is your favorite author?
I like mysteries, always have. I like the classic Agatha Christie stories, the thrillers of Mary Higgins Clark and the unusual Ruth Rendall stories.
What are you currently working on?
I am working on the fifth Taya Bayliss mystery ‘Tree Hugger’ in which Taya, Chris and Minette are trying to save a piece of pristine land from development.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I would have the power to teleport. No more long haul flights for me.
Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what kind of music?
No, but I usually have the television on. I need some sort of background noise when I write. Silence worries me. i guess that’s a by-product of having kids and dogs.
Who is your favorite villain?
Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series. He is dark and oily and deep but I feel sorry for him.
If you had to pick between receiving a million dollars today, or $1000 a month for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
Oh..no question…show me the million!
If you could take anyone out for coffee, dead, alive, or fictional, who would it be?
I would enjoy a coffee chat with Enid Blyton and Agatha Christie, two intriguing, imaginative and prolific ladies.
Books by E. J. (Erica) Gore
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