| Interview with Gloria Oliver |
First off, thanks so much for joining us for an up-close and personal interview for TeensReadToo.
com! My name is Jen, and I’ll be your server toda…oh, wait, wrong job! Anyway, thanks so much for
taking time out of your writing schedule—which I’m sure is busy!—and answering a few questions for
your readers and fans.
Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you
wanted to be a writer?
I dabbled in writing off and on through my teenage years, but didn’t really realize I wanted to pursue it
in any way until my mid twenties. I’d been writing fan fiction on some Japanese animated shows for a
while and realized I enjoyed doing it a lot. Thought it would be even more fun to share original stories
and characters and get published.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?
Don’t ever take my road! It was slow, went backwards many times, and there are just better, more
informed ways to get there. I did do some things right, like actually writing the book for one, and
eventually did start going to conventions to get my finger on the pulse of the industry, start making
connections, and get information. This was years after sending out unsolicited manuscripts, having
and agent whose agency unfortunately collapsed after 9/11, and other things. Networking,
connections, and being informed is what led to my break. Conventions can be a lot of fun too! Great
place to meet other writers, editors, and people in the business.
Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one
thing about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?
A battle of wills! That’s about as short an encapsulation as I can make for “Willing Sacrifice”, which is
my latest YA Fantasy from Zumaya Publications. Take the coming of the possible end of the world,
throw in some very stubborn people, some misdirection, a dab of magic, and voila! Chaos for
everyone!
What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?
I don’t know if I can answer that! There have been so many writers and so many things and people
that have influenced me over the years. I guess if I had to narrow it down, I would have say it was the
enthusiasm and support of my friend Wendy back when I was just starting to write. The fact someone
could actually get excited and moved by words on a page that I put down, was the spark that pushed
me to get where I am today.
Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!
Well, I am married to John, my wonderful and supportive husband. He’s always been there for me and
never complains about the expenses or times I need to be away to carry out some of the facets that
come along with the job of being an author. I also have a daughter named Jessica. She’s never been
bothered by the fact that I write, though she will roll her eyes at my fascination with the TV show
“Supernatural”. :P The family is currently also comprised of four cats, Keiko (the Queen of the group)
(black), Claudia (white), Mr. Boots (black and white), and Nightshade (black).
Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?
Hmm, has to be, hands down, a Cola Slurpee. A cure for anything that ails you! (Though a hot Tchai
Latte comes in a close second if it’s a really cold day.)
What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?
Ah that’s easy! Go to the bathroom (TMI?), feed the cats, wake up hubby.
If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would
surprise me the most?
Errr, probably just looking at the inside of any room would do it – clutter and lack of cleanliness?
(Cleaning takes away from my writing time – yeah, that’s it!) In the closet it might be the old trombone
case. The instrument is almost bigger than I am, but was what I wanted to learn to play in high school
– ever since I saw a demonstration on one in second grade playing the Pink Panther theme.
Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to
know: If you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?
Red! Blood Red! I just like it! It’s vibrant, eye catching yet not too bright, exciting. (Everything I’m
probably not! Lol!)
Who is your favorite cartoon character?
Most people won’t recognize him, but it would have to be Ryo Saeba, a sweeper (Private Investigator)
in City Hunter, based on a manga (Japanese comics) by Tsukasa Hojo.
Which cartoon character is most like you?
Oh my! That’s a toughie. Who would ever do a cartoon character like me? Lol. I suppose something
close might be Velma from Scooby Doo.
If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in
history, where and when would it be—and why?
Too many choices, so little time! Yes, sounds like a copout doesn’t it? I would love to visit Egypt
during its heyday, Rome, Greece, see Pompei before the volcano’s eruption, Prague, London in the
late 1800’s, Italy during Da Vinci’s time, I could go on and on and on.
So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while
you’re writing?
I love all different styles of music. My biggest love though is background music for TV shows and
movies, especially Japanese anime ones, as they put a lot of emphasis on making excellent music for
all their stuff. Favorite musical artists are all over the place – Phil Collins, the Monkees, Queen,
AC/DC, Weird Al Yankovik, Banana Rama, John Williams, Elvis Presley, the list goes on and one. I like
all styles. Probably the least favorite is Rap.
As to listening to music while I write – it depends. Normally I don’t, as I want to focus very hard, but
occasionally I feel the need for noise so will put some music on. It varies.
Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last
movie you saw at the theater?
With regards to TV shows, I hardly ever watch things again, but that rule was broken in a BIG way as
of 2007 when I went over the edge on second season with regards to the show “Supernatural”. Now I
am watching each new episode 3 times over the same aired weekend and have watched season 1
and 2 DVD’s way too many times to count. Every facet of this show has got me hooked, from the
fabulous acting (Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki rule!), the writing (very subtle, giving hints and
doing subplots months to years in advance, and lots of in-jokes!), the fab sets and special effects, the
great directing, to the wonders they do with the BGM and Rock music. I am, err, slightly obsessed.
(See daughter eye rolling comment several questions above.) Heh heh. As to movies, I do
occasionally get an itch to watch some again – The first 3 Star Wars films, all Indiana Jones films, the
Harry Potter films, and a few others. As to what I saw last at the theater…(We go every Friday almost
without fail)…Last one was Beowulf.
You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?
Never be afraid to ask for help.
One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?
The sky is the limit! Actually, very soon, “Cross-eyed Dragon Troubles” should see release from Hard
Shell Word Factory. It is another YA Fantasy somewhat of a cross between Dragon Riders of Pern
and Harry Potter. Loads of fun!
Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!
Thank you!!
com! My name is Jen, and I’ll be your server toda…oh, wait, wrong job! Anyway, thanks so much for
taking time out of your writing schedule—which I’m sure is busy!—and answering a few questions for
your readers and fans.
Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you
wanted to be a writer?
I dabbled in writing off and on through my teenage years, but didn’t really realize I wanted to pursue it
in any way until my mid twenties. I’d been writing fan fiction on some Japanese animated shows for a
while and realized I enjoyed doing it a lot. Thought it would be even more fun to share original stories
and characters and get published.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?
Don’t ever take my road! It was slow, went backwards many times, and there are just better, more
informed ways to get there. I did do some things right, like actually writing the book for one, and
eventually did start going to conventions to get my finger on the pulse of the industry, start making
connections, and get information. This was years after sending out unsolicited manuscripts, having
and agent whose agency unfortunately collapsed after 9/11, and other things. Networking,
connections, and being informed is what led to my break. Conventions can be a lot of fun too! Great
place to meet other writers, editors, and people in the business.
Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one
thing about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?
A battle of wills! That’s about as short an encapsulation as I can make for “Willing Sacrifice”, which is
my latest YA Fantasy from Zumaya Publications. Take the coming of the possible end of the world,
throw in some very stubborn people, some misdirection, a dab of magic, and voila! Chaos for
everyone!
What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?
I don’t know if I can answer that! There have been so many writers and so many things and people
that have influenced me over the years. I guess if I had to narrow it down, I would have say it was the
enthusiasm and support of my friend Wendy back when I was just starting to write. The fact someone
could actually get excited and moved by words on a page that I put down, was the spark that pushed
me to get where I am today.
Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!
Well, I am married to John, my wonderful and supportive husband. He’s always been there for me and
never complains about the expenses or times I need to be away to carry out some of the facets that
come along with the job of being an author. I also have a daughter named Jessica. She’s never been
bothered by the fact that I write, though she will roll her eyes at my fascination with the TV show
“Supernatural”. :P The family is currently also comprised of four cats, Keiko (the Queen of the group)
(black), Claudia (white), Mr. Boots (black and white), and Nightshade (black).
Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?
Hmm, has to be, hands down, a Cola Slurpee. A cure for anything that ails you! (Though a hot Tchai
Latte comes in a close second if it’s a really cold day.)
What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?
Ah that’s easy! Go to the bathroom (TMI?), feed the cats, wake up hubby.
If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would
surprise me the most?
Errr, probably just looking at the inside of any room would do it – clutter and lack of cleanliness?
(Cleaning takes away from my writing time – yeah, that’s it!) In the closet it might be the old trombone
case. The instrument is almost bigger than I am, but was what I wanted to learn to play in high school
– ever since I saw a demonstration on one in second grade playing the Pink Panther theme.
Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to
know: If you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?
Red! Blood Red! I just like it! It’s vibrant, eye catching yet not too bright, exciting. (Everything I’m
probably not! Lol!)
Who is your favorite cartoon character?
Most people won’t recognize him, but it would have to be Ryo Saeba, a sweeper (Private Investigator)
in City Hunter, based on a manga (Japanese comics) by Tsukasa Hojo.
Which cartoon character is most like you?
Oh my! That’s a toughie. Who would ever do a cartoon character like me? Lol. I suppose something
close might be Velma from Scooby Doo.
If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in
history, where and when would it be—and why?
Too many choices, so little time! Yes, sounds like a copout doesn’t it? I would love to visit Egypt
during its heyday, Rome, Greece, see Pompei before the volcano’s eruption, Prague, London in the
late 1800’s, Italy during Da Vinci’s time, I could go on and on and on.
So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while
you’re writing?
I love all different styles of music. My biggest love though is background music for TV shows and
movies, especially Japanese anime ones, as they put a lot of emphasis on making excellent music for
all their stuff. Favorite musical artists are all over the place – Phil Collins, the Monkees, Queen,
AC/DC, Weird Al Yankovik, Banana Rama, John Williams, Elvis Presley, the list goes on and one. I like
all styles. Probably the least favorite is Rap.
As to listening to music while I write – it depends. Normally I don’t, as I want to focus very hard, but
occasionally I feel the need for noise so will put some music on. It varies.
Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last
movie you saw at the theater?
With regards to TV shows, I hardly ever watch things again, but that rule was broken in a BIG way as
of 2007 when I went over the edge on second season with regards to the show “Supernatural”. Now I
am watching each new episode 3 times over the same aired weekend and have watched season 1
and 2 DVD’s way too many times to count. Every facet of this show has got me hooked, from the
fabulous acting (Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki rule!), the writing (very subtle, giving hints and
doing subplots months to years in advance, and lots of in-jokes!), the fab sets and special effects, the
great directing, to the wonders they do with the BGM and Rock music. I am, err, slightly obsessed.
(See daughter eye rolling comment several questions above.) Heh heh. As to movies, I do
occasionally get an itch to watch some again – The first 3 Star Wars films, all Indiana Jones films, the
Harry Potter films, and a few others. As to what I saw last at the theater…(We go every Friday almost
without fail)…Last one was Beowulf.
You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?
Never be afraid to ask for help.
One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?
The sky is the limit! Actually, very soon, “Cross-eyed Dragon Troubles” should see release from Hard
Shell Word Factory. It is another YA Fantasy somewhat of a cross between Dragon Riders of Pern
and Harry Potter. Loads of fun!
Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!
Thank you!!
