Sarah Perrin asked Philippa Dowding:

I loved The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden! Sometimes I wish I had her unusual gift. I am curious to know what inspired you to write this delightful story? — Sarah

Philippa Dowding Hi Sarah, thank you so much for your question, and I'm so happy that you enjoyed Gwendolyn's story!
Well, the story is really magic realism, a literary style that has intrigued and inspired me since I was in university (particularly One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez). I've also always wanted to tell a story about flying, since I had very vivid flight dreams as a child, and right into my teenage years (I still do, sometimes).
When I watched my daughter turn 12, then 13, I was reminded what an incredible metamorphosis we go through as we leave childhood and enter adolescence. With all the changes that we endure in puberty, the added gift of flight didn't seem so improbable!
So really, Gwendolyn's gift of flight is a metaphor for all the changes that life throws at us, and for all the potential that is stored in us, at that cusp in our lives. It's also a magical exploration of the gifts that we receive, whether we like them or not, and how we use those gifts to see more clearly into ourselves, our family, our community.
I hope that answers your question!
And, there is a sequel (Everton Miles is Stranger than Me), if you are curious about what happens next, and what choices Gwendolyn makes: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Take care Sarah, thanks again!
Philippa

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