Quickfire Questions with... Della Galton


Della Galton sold her first story in 1987. Since then she has sold hundreds of stories and serials here and abroad. She lives with her husband Tony in a 400-year-old cottage and enjoys walking her dogs in the beautiful Dorset countryside.

My first sale was…
A poem to Pony Magazine when I was eight!

My family think my writing is…
All based on them.

The best/worst thing about writing short stories for magazines is…
They’re very short. That’s the best and the worst thing.

Long hand first or computer?
Computer.

On completing a story I feel…
Relieved.

When I run out of ideas I …
Don’t often run out of ideas to be honest.

Ideas come to me when…
I’m driving, chatting, doing housework, walking the dogs, all the time really.

My biggest tip for new women’s mag writers would be…
Read the magazines constantly.

3 authors – dead or alive I’d like to invite to dinner would be…
Teresa Ashby, Nick Hornby and Daphne du Maurier.

Favourite writing outfit?
Soft fleece and comfy trousers, plus hot water bottle. Our house is freezing.

Favourite writing snack?
Chocolate. Favourite any time snack actually!

Daily Mail or Guardian?
Mail – much better for plot lines!

Corrie or Eastenders?
Corrie – brilliantly written.

Best woman’s magazine story I’ve read during the last three months is…
The Leftover Cat by Teresa Ashby



Della has published two novels - "Passing Shadows" (2006), "Helter Skelter" (2007) and "How To Write and Sell Short Stories" (2008) - all with Accent Press,

10 comments:

Administrator said...

Interesting answers, Della - and i agree, The Mail is great for plot-lines!

Great questions, Geri!

Sam x

Julie P said...

I had a letter published in Bunty magazine when I was around the same age as Della! Very good post, Della - interesting to see what makes other writers tick.

Geraldine Ryan said...

So many writers watch Corrie, I find! Me too. Envious that you rarely run out of ideas, Della! I'll have to give the Daily Mail a go though I'd worry if anyone I knew spotted me buying it! I have my reputation to think about! :)

Gillian McDade said...

The Daily Mail is indeed good for plots - I totally agree with that.

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Great post and good answers. Geraldine - no need to swap hard earned dosh buying the daily mail, just visit the paper online for free and under cover of the net - no need to wear a disguise or risk being caught with it under your arm much to the horror of friends and neighbours!

Caroline Green said...

I'm in awe of the likes of Delia and Geri, who have to come up with such a constant stream of strong ideas. All power to your elbows.

Caroline Green said...

Oops, typo on your name, Della...sorry!

Geraldine Ryan said...

Aw thanks, Caroline - actually Delia and Della have one great thing in common. They are both Experts in their field.

MOB - slunk into the Daily Mail's website this morning, but quickly got palpitations and left!

Anonymous said...

although I don't run out of ideas I often run out of inspiration - like today! Then chocolate comes in handy as consolation prize - only am getting fatter! Maybe this is ongoing writers' problem
;-( Della

Helen said...

Hi Della

I have just recently come across your work and I think it's great. Although I am having bother tracking down a short story you wrote called 'Better Eyes' There is a sample of your story in a book I am reading called 'Teach yourself Creative Writing' by Dianne Doubtfire/ Ian Burton and it makes me what to read more but i can't find it anywhere!