G.D. Griffiths is a storyteller whose imagination was first sparked along the rugged coastlines of Wales, where childhood days were spent exploring the sea beneath the glow of the legendary summer twilight. With a background that blends creativity and technology, he earned degrees in Computer Science and Operations Management and completed a PhD focused on Virtual Reality. After meeting his wife while studying in Nottingham, the pair set out on a global adventure that took them to New Zealand, where G.D. worked in the video game industry and taught scuba diving, before eventually settling in Redondo Beach, California. Inspired by family life, including their son and their spirited German Shepherd Rhea, G.D. began writing children’s books that bring learning to life through storytelling, starting with ABC’s With Rhea and continuing with Olly’s Journey. Through his writing, he hopes to inspire young readers to explore their imagination and discover the joy of creative storytelling.
Author Interview
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m originally from Wales but have lived in the US for the past sixteen years and now live in Redondo Beach, California, where I’ve been for nine years. Rhea and Crowley, a tale of fur and feathers is my third children’s book.
I’m the kind of person who loves being outside as much as possible. Where I’m originally from (Wales) it always rains and any nice day meant we were outside. So of course, living in California where it’s often nice, I still feel the need/urge to remain outside. It’s ingrained within me now.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called, Rhea and Crowley, A tale of fur and feathers. It’s a children’s book about a German Shepherd (Rhea) and a Crow (Crowley) who end up having to help one another. Rhea is based on my own dog (a German Shepherd) who has a unique personality. She’s smart, funny, quirky and loves adventures and playing with us.
As for Crowley? I happen to love Crows. They are my favorite bird. They’re super-smart and I’ve seen them work with tools (different sized twigs) to get to those hard-to-reach places. There was also a Crow who came to visit me every morning as I worked. It would land next to my window, and I would sit and chat with him (I think it was him) and then he would fly off.
As I thought about these two wonderful creatures (my German Shepherd and the Crow), an idea came to mind about them joining together and being friends. And that’s where this story came from.
What are you working on now?
I’m hard at work on my fourth children’s book. This one has a dragon in it. Why a dragon? Well, as I’m from Wales, a dragon is on our flag, and I have always loved them. There’s just something truly magical about them.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Oh wow. Great question. Okay. In no particular order.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien
Strangers by Dean Koontz
All quiet on the western front by Erich Maria Remarque
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Mort by Terry Pratchett
I know this is five but I really couldn’t remove one from the list.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Yes. Very much so. I want children to read these books and feel inspired. I would love for them to see themselves as the characters and feel that they too can overcome obstacles in unique ways. In my second book, Olly’s Journey, the goal was for kids to try and relate to Olly the Octopus and realize that even if they feel scared, even if things look bleak, there are always solutions. Olly’s Journey was not just about the distance he travels in his adventure but about his inner journey from being timid and afraid to facing his fears and overcoming them.
In my latest book, Rhea and Crowley, a Tale of fur and feathers, there is once again a message of overcoming one’s fears and facing them head. Also, I wanted to try and help them realize that perhaps what they are afraid of isn’t quiet as scary as it was made out to be after all.
I also want children to be able to use their minds to solve problems and to make sure that they go on adventures and experience as much as possible.
What are your current projects?
Outside of writing and work I love woodwork and 3D model creation so I can 3D print them. This is so much fun, and I love the freedom of trying to be as creative as possible.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
When I was in primary school back in Wales (Grade 1 – 5 in the US), the teacher would often call upon a child to stand in front of the class and tell us a story. One of my friends poked me in the ribs one day and I shouted out in shock. However, the teacher thought I was volunteering and so she told me to get up, stand in front of the class and tell a story.
So I did.
And I loved it. I made up so much nonsense but took everyone on this crazy adventure where dogs had apples for legs. I loved hearing everyone cheer and laugh, and this became a weekly thing.
This then evolved to me just writing down stories and ideas and I think it evolved from there.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Yes. As many will be parents who read to their children, please read as much as possible to them! It doesn’t matter what it is, just read. Fire up their imagination, let their creativity soar and introduce them to the magic of stories.
Then, when their children are old enough to read, encourage them to read. Again, it doesn’t matter what they read, just let them read. I took my son to a comic store when he was four and he fell in love with reading through comics. He has so many but that evolved into picture books and then novels. He’s thirteen now and reads around two books a month.
Oh, and he still reads comics.So yes, read, read and then read some more.
Do you write an outline before every book you write?
Yes, absolutely. I first write the basic idea down, what the premise is and the outcome and then I put together a high-level outline that covers the essentials. I then gradually “fill in the blanks” and rework the areas and then write it.
Do you feel like you’d be a better writer if you wore sparkly socks during your writing sessions?
I think we would be better at EVERYTHING we do if we wore sparkly socks every single day!
Connect with the author online at https://www.gdgbooks.com/
Rhea and Crowley; A tale of fur and feathers is available for purchase on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Rhea-Crowley-tale-fur-feathers/dp/B0GRR8QGZW/