It is with the greatest of pleasure that I welcome children’s author, Angelina Kalahari, onto the blog today to talk about the inspiration behind her latest book…
George And The Gargoyle Who Lived In The Garden
Recurring nightmares, a strained relationship with his
father, and threatening behaviour from the Fearsome Foursome at school would be
challenging for most boys his age. But as an only child with a sensitive,
artistic soul, George feels especially alone and ordinary.
When he spends an awesome holiday with his zany Aunt
Di, a painter, he stumbles across several exciting secrets. Aunt Di’s London
garden contains statues of a Gargoyle, a Griffin, a Unicorn and a Dragon. At
first, George thinks of these as just ordinary statues of mythical creatures.
But what if they are not? And what about Roy, the robin? Will George survive
the adventure when the Witch turns out to be real? Will his life ever be the
same again after his magical experiences?
***
Author’s Inspiration
What
inspired me to write George And The
Gargoyle Who Lived In The Garden?
Writing
a novel takes the question of what inspires us to a whole other level. To
finish a novel is a huge investment in time, stamina, discipline and
dedication. That's the serious bit. The fun bit is that I get to write the kind
of books I like to read.
Writing
George And The Gargoyle Who Lived In The
Garden was inevitable. Quite simply, I dreamt the book. I dreamt the
characters. They wanted to live in the world. My dreams soon turned into
daydreams when the characters started to talk to me. I know! In any other
career, we'd be carted off by men in white coats!
But
the more they talked the clearer their story became, and I knew that I could
not deny them their existence. Besides, I have always been fascinated with
mythical creatures. What if dragons, gargoyles, unicorns and griffins really
exist? Imagine that!
Some
research was called for, and it was fascinating and fun to find out more about
the myths and legends behind these creatures and why so many people are
enthralled by them.
Then,
the character of George appeared. A lonely, sensitive boy who felt
misunderstood by his father, overprotected by his mother, and as though he
didn't fit in with the other children at school.
When
I met George I felt that many children, and adults, would be able to relate to
him. George was that child in me who felt isolated growing up in the desert.
Then, my father died when I was five years old, so I could relate to George's
difficult relationship with his father. And being a sensitive artist myself, I
totally understood George's feelings of not quite fitting in, of feeling the
odd one out.
But thankfully,
his mother's sister, Aunt Di, was someone with whom George could bond, and
share a love of painting.
It
is with Aunt Di, and in her magical garden, that George finally finds love,
acceptance and friendship. The fact that his new friends are mythical creatures
with whom to have adventures is a bonus. Their strengths and powers become
George’s inspiration to overcome his own difficult circumstances, especially
when they asked for his help in their fight against the Witch! Feeling more
confident, George understood that to give love first, is to receive it.
The
theme at the beginning of the novel is that of birds and flight, which represents
freedom to George. Later, once he finds his strange band of friends, the theme
becomes one of love, and reveals the strong yearning we all have for love and
acceptance, even if our tribe of friends is a little off -beat.
Links to Purchase
About the author
Angelina
Kalahari entered this life among the red dunes of Namibia’s deserts. Her first
sounds merged with the power of the massive yellow moon that lit up the vast
African spaces. There, where the heavens presented the splendour that the Milky
Way flung across its canvas.
A
nomadic childhood enchanted her, as Africa presented the raw beauty of her many
faces, while Angelina’s family traversed the desert in search of crops for
their herds of karakul sheep. This fertile ambience, filled with strange
legends, amazing animals, and wonderful people, afforded Angelina a unique
opportunity to live in a world of wonder, and to develop a deep sense of self.
Her
mother loved listening to Mario Lanza and other tenors of the day. A record
player and records accompanied the family on their travels, and back to their
farm. The gift of this divine music found resonance within Angelina's body and
called to her soul’s desire to share her voice with the world. She left her
magical universe to study with other voice and performance obsessives, which
resulted in degrees in drama, singing, and opera.
Angelina
continued her nomadic existence as an adult, enthralling audiences with her
singing, acting, and directing. These activities allowed her to visit a world
far beyond her beloved Africa. She shared her talents on such diverse platforms
as opening the busking scheme on London Underground, to a recital at the Royal
Opera House, and everything in between.
This
led to an invitation to Buckingham Palace, no less, where Angelina met Queen
Elizabeth as a reward, and in recognition of her contribution to the music,
culture, and economy of the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile,
her fascination and obsession with the human vocal instrument grew, together
with her knowledge of it. She found herself to be a teacher and sharer of the
magic of the voice and performance, and she became co-founder of the North
London Performance Academy.
Storytelling,
which formed such a big part of her childhood, became an inherent element in
her performances, and continued to live in her heart. She never stopped writing
down her stories. When, due to illness, it became clear that she would no
longer be able to share her voice in the way she had before, writing became the
obvious and perfect outlet for her creative expression.
Although
she has finished many novels, plays, children’s stories, and had several
articles published, The Healing Touch
is her published debut novel, the first in a series. George And The Gargoyle Who Lived In The Garden is her first middle
grade novel, again the first in a series.
Angelina
has found a new colourful and vibrant universe in London. She now lives near a
massive park, which satisfies another obsession, her awe and wonder of trees.
The intoxicating world of London's artistic scene has introduced Angelina to
many inspirational people who have become a close and integral part of her
tribe.
The
only magnificent creatures that share her home today, apart from all the
characters wanting to live in the world through her books, are her husband, her
little fur cat daughter, a rapidly diminishing population of house spiders, and
a smallish herd of dust mites.
Useful
Links
@angelinakalhari
Thank you ever so much for this amazing opportunity, Mary Anne Yarde. It was fun and exciting and I'm very grateful.
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