Catherine Gourley
Photo used with permission of Catherine Gourley.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
- The first books I enjoyed reading on my own in the quiet of my bedroom were the Trixie Belden mystery series. But I also loved reading the illustrated encyclopedia called GOLDEN BOOK.
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
I have so many favorite authors that it is difficult the select just three. But I would say that the short stories of Eudora Welty taught me a great deal about how to use language effectively. I also liked very much the works of John Gardner. The works of Susan Cooper and Lois Lowry are also inspiring.
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
I love researching and so discovering interesting stories about real people who are not necessarily famous but do extraordinary things. I like telling stories and creating an atmosphere for that story, a time and a place. Being an author is like traveling through time and space.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
Please don’t think you need to dumb down your writing. Young readers, if interested in what you have to say and how you say it, will reach for your words.
