Elva Gamiao Author Interview
Penelope Pendleton and the Peculiar Purple Plumage
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Elva Gamiao has been writing creative short stories and poetry since childhood. Her works are inspired by real life events that are expressed through children’s picture books or short novels, some written in the style of alliteration. Elva has a passion of infusing her stories with complex vocabulary, providing a glossary for “new words” to assist children of all ages in learning and reading.
Elva has been a real estate agent for 16+ years, she’s decided to start her new journey as an author and illustrator. Elva lives with her husband of 20+ years, 4 happy rescue cats and a spoiled Papillon named Yoyo.
Penelope’s perfectly planned picnic turns into a day filled with crazy mishaps that include a gigantic purple feather and more. Joined by her best friend they have an adventure that winds them through the town leading to a wonderful ending. Told in a tongue twister of a story written mostly with the letter “P”. “P” words describing foods, places, things, actions, and much more. Included is a glossary of 60+ “P” words used throughout the book.
We absolutely can make something wonderful out of nothing, it all starts with an idea and ends with our actions to make it real”. Words she lived by all her life, inspired by her grandparents Paul and Elva Elsner.
Do any of the books you write come from your own childhood, and what in the stories do you like to include? Yes, I’m inspired by memories or events that have happened and I retell them in my stories. Penelope Pendleton is about me and my cousin when we were younger and the antics we’d experience. I like to put food in my stories, in Penelope I have pinwheel peanut butter cookies, pistachio pudding, pepperoni pizza and more. Food has always brought me back to a memory that makes me happy. In other stories I the characters have a favorite food that ties in somehow. I also like houses, so my character’s homes tend to fit their personalities.
Penelope Pendleton and the Peculiar Purple Plumage
Penelope’s perfectly planned picnic turns into a day filled with crazy mishaps that include a gigantic purple feather and more.Joined by her best friend they have an adventure that winds them through the town leading to a wonderful ending. Told in a tongue twister of a story written mostly with the letter “P”. “P” words describing foods, places, things, actions, and much more. Included is a glossary of 60+ “P” words used throughout the book.
How did you come up with the ideas for illustrating the characters and scenes? Okay, I’m not an artist or professional illustrator- I guess I’m more of a doodler. The illustrations came about because I wanted something very specific. I had a couple of illustrators sending me ideas and they were great, but I wanted to try my hand at the drawings. Once I started I knew I wanted to add fun details, for example, I have a cat and dog doing silly things in the background in every drawing.
What is your future project(s)? I have submitted a children’s novel called “Nico Grimble and the Dragon Wallet” and a separate story that will be released as a picture book. I’m currently working on the 2nd Penelope Pendleton adventure that will be written in the style of alliteration.
