Gill was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland and immigrated to Adelaide, South Australia in 2004 with her husband and two daughters. Gill studied at Flinders University in South Australia and has a double degree in Social Work and Social Planning. Gill has two decades of experience in the field of Child Protection in South Australia. She uses her extensive social work experience to form the basis of her novels, skillfully allowing readers to oscillate between feeling horror and empathy towards her characters.
Gill began writing stories and poems from a young age and finally took the plunge to write her first novel Hidden from View in 2019. As a Glenelg local, Gill was widely supported by the community and other businesses, and this gave her the confidence to keep writing. As such, she went on to pen her second novel The Chosen Seven, then her third novel Melita followed by Primed for Vengeance. Gill’s latest release is The Storm Within.
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Questions:
1. Tell our readers a little about yourself and your writing (including publications).
Hello lovely readers and writers! I’m an Australian author (Scottish immigrant) who is compelled to write stories that explore trauma, resilience, and the hidden battles people fight behind closed doors. My writing blends psychological tension with emotional depth and is largely influenced by my twenty-year career in child protection alongside my fascination for understanding what makes up people’s personality traits (nature vs nurture). I’m fascinated by the way ordinary lives can be shaped and sometimes shattered by extraordinary circumstances.
My published works include Hidden From View, The Chosen Seven, Melita, Primed for Vengeance, and The Storm Within. Each book tackles different facets of survival, identity, and the strength it takes to reclaim one’s life in the face of adversity. I write with the hope that readers will not only be entertained but also feel seen, understood, and challenged. I have been known to create characters that you will love and hate in equal measures! The genres I write are generally thriller and mystery genres with a bit of domestic drama thrown in for good measure!
2. Are you a daytime writer, a mid-day writer, a nighttime writer, or someone who writes when the mood hits?
I’m very much a ‘write when the moment strikes’ kind of author. Inspiration doesn’t always follow a schedule, so I’ve learned to follow the emotional pull rather than the clock. Some of my best scenes have popped into my mind at the most unexpected times, and I’ve learned to embrace that unpredictability. Having said that though, I definitely function better and do my best work in the morning. As I have a day job, it has been challenging at times to write at night. But where there is a will, there is a way! I’m an e extremely determined person and wont let the fatigue win when there is a story to be told!
3. Who is your favourite author and why?
I’m drawn to authors who write with emotional honesty and aren’t afraid to explore the darker corners of the human psyche. Writers like Freida McFadden and Martina Cole resonate with me because they create tension-filled stories grounded in deeply flawed human characters. Their work reminds me that darkness and hope often coexist and that’s a balance I strive for in my own writing. I like a good plot twist and plenty of tension and build up to keep me intrigued.
4. Who or what first inspired you to write?
I was an only child growing up, and there were no screens for kids to become immersed in back then. I was very creative and had a vivid and colorful imagination that allowed me to write quite powerful and insightful stories from a young age. I have always written deep and meaningful poems too. I experienced some hardships growing up, and also watched other people experience traumatic experiences. So, my inspiration came from life itself, with all its complexities, its unexpected turns, and the quiet strength people show in the face of adversity. Writing became a way to process, to understand, and eventually to transform difficult experiences into stories that might help others understand themselves and to understand others more. Over time, that personal outlet grew into a passion for storytelling, and I guess the rest is history! The premise in all of my books is based on this powerful saying, ‘having compassion and empathy for why someone behaves the way they do based on their experiences, never means you have to tolerate the behaviour or hold space for it. You can absolutely have compassion and set a boundary. This is what it means to also have compassion for yourself.’
5. What are your favourite book genres?
I’m especially drawn to psychological thrillers that dig into the complexities of the mind, so I read a lot of suspense and crime fiction with strong emotional undercurrents, character-driven drama that explores trauma, healing, and identity and dark contemporary fiction that isn’t afraid to make the reader ask uncomfortable questions. These genres naturally influence my own writing style and are the themes I find myself returning to. We tend to write what we know about, right?
6. Do you have any “rules” when you write?
I have two main rules, firstly, characters must feel real and have depth, even the antagonists and especially the morally grey characters. Secondly, pain must have purpose. I never include trauma or violence for shock value. If something difficult happens, it must serve the emotional truth of the story. Also, the bad guy never wins! There will always be retribution and payback at the end of my books, my characters and readers deserve that closure.
7. Do you have any pets?
My black cocker spaniel Mac (now sadly passed away) was very much part of my writing life. He was the quiet companion who sat with me during long writing sessions and was the gentle reminder to take breaks when I became lost in a scene. He would shove me in the leg with his wet nose and get quite indignant about reminding me it was walk time! We now have another beautiful black cocker spaniel in the family, my daughter’s dog, Nessie (named after the Scottish Loch Ness monster of course). Nessie is so sweet and less bossy than Mac! I love how this breed brings balance, comfort, and playfulness into our lives, all of which keeps me grounded. Dogs are certainly angels in disguise, and nothing beats the unconditional love they provide.
8. What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a writer?
Write with courage and conviction and don’t wait for the perfect moment to get started, because it simply doesn’t exist. Just get some words down and that will build momentum and give you a place to start. Also don’t write what you think other people want to read because you can’t please all of the people all of the time and there will always be people who criticize your work regardless! My books are controversial and have trigger warnings, some people love the journey I take them on, and others don’t and that is okay! Read widely, learn from others, but stay true to your own style. Embrace the messy drafts, they’re part of the process. Most importantly, keep going, writing is a journey of persistence, passion, and vulnerability, and every page you write is a step towards the dream of holding your own book in your hand which of course is the best feeling ever!
Eric Woods, Author 