Today I’m interviewing Gloria Getman, the driving force behind the recently published Visalia/Exeter Writers’ 2011 anthology, “LEAVES from the VALLEY OAK.” Without a doubt, Gloria spent many frustrating hours wading through the complicated process of editing and uploading the individual manuscripts into a format that was acceptable to CreateSpace. Her persistence and determination paid off when this delightful book was made available this fall to readers everywhere.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in Ojai, CA, the youngest of four children in the family. I married my high school sweetheart and we had six children. When my husband started a plumbing business, I became the business manager. Later when my children were all in school, I decided I wanted to be a registered nurse, so I went back to school, graduating in 1971. I returned to college again for my BSN from CSU Bakersfield after we moved to the valley in 1973. When my husband died, I realized that I couldn’t hold down a job and take care of our orange grove too, so I retired after 25 years as a nurse and became a farmer. Seven years later, I sold the orchard and moved into town. Then I had more time for writing.
How long have you been writing?
My yen to be a writer started in sixth grade when I wrote a short story about a talking Christmas tree and got some positive feedback. But I didn’t get serious about it until 1991. I wrote a few poems and then a reminiscent piece that I sold to Yesterday’s Magazette. I joined a critique group and also took a creative writing course at the local college. Soon after that I started working on a novel. Because I always enjoyed historical fiction, I thought I wanted to write a historical, but then Lottie popped into my head and I turned to a mystery. I’ve written a number of short stories, three of which are in the anthology Leaves from the Valley Oak, which can be found on Amazon and at The Book Garden in Exeter.
How many books have you written?
Good question. I have one book completed and waiting for a publisher and another book started.
How do you develop your characters?
Some pop up out of a dream. Some come from a “what if” situation, and how would a character react to it. Then it’s a matter of fleshing about that character. I like unusual characters.
What books and authors influenced you?
As a child I read many of the classics: Call of the Wild, Bambi and Black Beauty. Later, I read all of Alcott’s books. Also Mark Twain. I liked books about historical figures. Today, my favorite authors are Sue Grafton, Connie Shelton, and Margaret Maron. But since I belong to the Mystery Readers at the library, I read many different authors.
How did your upbringing color your writing?
Since I grew up in the days before TV, books were part of our everyday life. Weekly trips to the library, and the fact that my mother read to me, was really important. All of it stimulated my imagination.
Do you belong to any writers’ organizations?
Sure do. I belong to both Exeter and Visalia Writers, San Joaquin Sisters in Crime, Central Coast Sisters in Crime and SLO Nightwriters.
What is your latest project?
I’m working on an historical that takes place in Jerome, AZ. And I also started a blog: gloriagetman.blogspot.com
