Reading and writing doesn’t always come naturally to an author. I had issues about reading, and so did Terri Gillespie, an award-winning author and speaker. If you or someone you love struggles with reading, you won’t want to miss this interview!

Thank you so much for being here! What was your favorite picture book as a child? What did you love about it?
I had an undiagnosed reading and comprehension disability when I was a child back in the 1950s. My parents were too busy to read to me, or my younger brothers. I loved the feel and smell of books but was seldom able to finish one.

When my baby sister was born, I was in eighth grade. Someone purchased a stack of the Little Golden Books for her, where they sat in her little bookshelf until I wearied of being pestered to read them to her and my other younger sister.

No surprise the wee ones loved the books. The surprise was so did I.

My favorite was The Poky Little Puppy. Poor little guy couldn’t keep up with his mates. Imagine that, nearly fifteen years old, and one of my favorite books was The Poky Little Puppy.

What did I love about it? I identified with the puppy, yes, but more than that. My sisters kept me reading. Clearly, it benefitted me as much as them.

What was the first adult novel that you read?
Following my disabilities’ timeline, I was in my late thirties before I began reading the classics. I think the first was Gone with the Wind. I struggled—not even sure I finished it. Probably not.

But then I picked up Jane Eyre, and I was in love. I could identify with the writing style of Charlotte Brontë. Moody. Filled with angst, yet with a redemptive theme. I suppose that became my vision for writing.

Hope. Nurturing women through stories of hope.

What was the last book you read that you couldn’t put down?
Facing the Dawn by Cynthia Ruchti. If you’ve ever read Cynthia’s books, you know she’ll take you deep into places most are afraid to go but writes the journey so beautifully and with humor you’re the better for it.

If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be?
Jane Eyre, of course. When young Jane was grilled by the implacable Mr. Lloyd, the older Jane narrates her reflections, “Children can feel, but they cannot analyse their feelings; and if the analysis is partially effected in thought, they know not how to express the result of the process in words.”

Oh. My. Goodness. Jane and I would talk into the night on that sentence alone.

If you could turn any of your books into a movie, which would you pick? Who would cast as the main characters?
No conceit intended, but any of my books could be turned into a movie, except the devotional. When I write, I see the story as a movie.

I always thought The Hair Mavens trilogy would make a good television series.

My newest release, Sweet Rivalry, I definitely saw as a movie. The twin sisters would be played by a young Sharon Stone—back before she was so edgy. Asher would be played by Eduardo Verástegüi, a Spanish soap opera star. Will would be played by a tall Diego Luna—he was in Star Wars: Rogue One (which I hated) and The Terminal (which I loved).

What book are you most looking forward to reading next? Why?
Not a fair question. See below.

Share five books from your TBR (to be read) pile.
I have an author ministry called Author for Authors. Using my blogs and YouTube channel I produce (actually, my husband does the post production) weekly Book Pre-Reviews, then when I finish the book I post reviews on the usual online retailers plus Goodreads and BookBub.

Monthly I choose one author to be featured with a Book Pre-Review, Book Reviews with Terri, and then two interviews—one blogged, the other a video interview.

All that to say, I have quite a few books in the TBR pile—and I’m looking forward to diving into all of them. If I had to choose five, here they are (in random order):

  • Art + Faith—A Theology of Making, by Makoto Fujimura
  • Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant
  • Trace of Doubt by DiAnn Mills
  • But … The Power of One Word by Rabbi Eric Tokajer
  • The Woman Who Could Breathe Under Water by Erin Bartels

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
If you have a child—or know a child—with any learning disabilities, please understand that reading or storytelling to your child is so important.

My best friend as a child was my grandmother. Long before educators fully understood these disabilities, she somehow sensed my longing to read and write my own stories. Her ability to touch my bewildered mind with stories stimulated my imagination.

To encourage me, grandma set up a little office with her giant Royal typewriter where I typed little stories and illustrated them.

I wonder if her stories combined with touching the keys of that typewriter somehow helped me connect the broken lines in my mind so that one day, I would not only love to read but would become an author.

Sweet Rivalry is the story of twin sisters separated by their troubled mother. One twin, Sarah was raised by her loving grandmother who owns the local bakery. The other twin, Raven had to overcome a childhood living in crack houses to becoming a pastry chef. Sarah discovers Raven while watching a baking show, where Raven is a contestant. Rivalries abound. The sisters wonder if they can ever become a family again.

Award-winning author and speaker, Terri Gillespie writes stories of faith and redemption to nurture women’s souls. Her novels, devotionals, and blogs have drawn readers to hunger for a deeper relationship with their Heavenly Father.

Where can people find you online?

  • authorterrigillespie.com
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTerriGillespie
  • Twitter: @TerriGMavens
  • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/terrilgillespie/_created/
  • BookBub Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/terri-gillespie-03735cb1-12a1-470f-8caa-467d4113919d
  • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/terri.macalady.gillespie/
  • Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2775460.Terri_Gillespie
  • MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/terrigillespie