Wendy Gamble

Biography

Wendy Gamble’s writing brings together years of science studies, work in heath care, and training and assistant teaching as a black belt in karate. Previously she had articles on art and science fiction published in print and on-line magazines. Wendy has also sold fantasy art, and approved paintings and products related to the Canadian Musical Ride. Wendy lives in New Brunswick, Canada, where she runs a writing group, is a literacy volunteer at school, and enjoys gardening, creative cooking, yoga, photography, kicking back to good movies and shows, and, of course, her family.

Fun Facts

Hobbies

Karate, gardening, hiking, gaming, reading, videos. My artwork isn't really a hobby but I'm passionate about it. Growing vegetables is serious stuff too, especially with the world situation.

Most Exotic Place Visited

Texas when my sister was studying there. Very scenic, and I loved the mesquite BBQ.

What Shampoo Do You Use?

Herbal shampoos. Lavender is lovely, chamomile brings out highlights. Tea tree oil kills stuff.

Your Dream Car

Something electric. Cute and red, with seat heaters and massage function.

Favorite Sport

Karate is a martial art really, (hopefully not) used for self defense. I love it but it does get intense, and I don't look forward to being nervous for my 3rd level of black belt test. Track and field was my favourite sport. It was fun to win ribbons; now my energy is with gardening and karate. I liked soccer too, but team sports aren't really my thing.

Mountains or Beach? Why?

I love both, but the Scottish highlands really speak to me; so rugged, bare and soulfully lonely. If a beach is warm enough to swim in there are usually a lot of other people there, which can reduce the relaxation.

Pet Peeve

People saying "from whence..." Whence means from where. Also, "I could care less," when they mean they could not care less.

Number of Published Books

Two. Number three on the way, plus I have a long fantasy novel on my hard drive to edit.

Book that Changed Your Life

"The City of Gold and Lead" led me into science fiction. Heinlein's "Starbeast" made me look for more, but the real drama happened when my siblings and I found stacks of the Star Trek short stories adapted from the original series by James Blish. I read all the episodes before ever seeing them. For years we mostly had snow-and-white TV.

Favorite Place to Write

In the living room at night, with laptop on lap desk, cat on feet, or on the bed with the blinds mostly down in the day. In good weather, kind of rare in Canada, outside.

Do You Listen to Music While Writing? What Kind?

Sometimes silence is best. If I'm already into the writing I might play rock. Other times I try classical, but can end up turning the volume down repeatedly until it's almost the sound of silence.

Favorite Character You Created

My ensemble cast take turns being my favourite, but I have special feeling for a couple of minor characters. One my daughter told me not to kill off became an eccentric regular. The other was a briefly alive success. My daughter told me to give him more personality before killing him. Apparently I succeeded because when she re-read she was sad that he died and sort of wished I hadn't taken her advice.

Where Do You Live?

The boonies of New Brunswick Canada. We bought the forest behind our house to keep it from being developed, but I do clear patches for wild blueberries to grow. We've made rough paths by clearing dead logs and branches, and mostly stick to them to avoid disrupting the flora and fauna.

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