A Conversation with Gina LoBiondo: Stories, Bears, Dragons, and Cinderella

Gina LoBiondo has been telling stories for most of her life—long before she ever thought about publishing or book awards. She started writing at 13, mostly because she had a big imagination and loved faerie tales. Like many kids, she and her brother made up games based on their favorite books and movies, and those stories slowly grew more serious. Writing just stuck with her, and it’s something she’s never really stopped doing.

Over time, that love of storytelling turned into several published books, mostly in children’s fantasy and picture books. Pegasus – A Dragon’s Tale was her first, followed by Button Nose the Sad Little Bear, which was inspired by her own childhood teddy bear and told from the bear’s point of view. She also wrote Cinderella – A Love Story, a reimagining of her favorite faerie tale that adds more heart, emotion, and a few surprises, setting it apart from the versions most of us grew up with.

Across all three titles, Gina has won awards from groups such as the Mom’s Choice Awards, the International Book Awards, the USA Best Book Awards, the Book Excellence Awards, and the B.R.A.G. Medallion.

Gina’s stories are about empathy, kindness, and sticking with things even when they get hard. She’s currently working on a sequel to Pegasus – A Dragon’s Tale, along with new picture book ideas, and it’s clear she’s still writing for the same reason she always has—because she genuinely loves telling stories.

Interview

How long have you been writing, and what first inspired you to start?

What genre do you write—and what genres do you personally love to read?

• Well, I’ve written in various genres from poetry to sci-fi to a full-length stage play, but since the early 2000s, I seem to have found my niche in children’s picture books. 
• My first published book, Pegasus – A Dragon’s Tale, was originally written as a short story with 2 young princesses who find the dragon’s egg. 
• In 2004, my nephew got married and became an instant father to 2 adorable kids, so I decided to rework the story using them as a prince and princess. 
• I also decided to make them bear cubs instead of human.

• My second book Button Nose the Sad Little Bear was based on my childhood teddy bear that I had been searching for on eBay for about 2 ½ years. 
• Once I won the auction and was waiting for him to come home, I came up with the story.  It’s his story from his point of view.

Who are some of your favorite authors or books that have shaped you as a writer?

What’s the story behind your current book or series—what drew you into that world or these characters?

• My 3^rd book is my own retelling of Cinderella. 
• It was always my favourite faerie tale and was the inspiration for the stage play that was actually my first major writing project. 
• I had just had a theatre course in my senior year of high school, so I was really into plays. 
• We had read everything from Oedipus and Antigone to The Miracle Worker, and I thought I’d try my hand at it. 
• I decided on Cinderella because I knew the story well, but made some changes that make my version unique and more heartwarming! 
• Once the play was finished, I took each scene and wrote a chapter around it.  That essentially became my 3^rd book.

NOTE: The blog author applauds Gina for her PROPER use of the word faerie!

Do you have a favorite scene in your current book? What makes it stand out to you?

Was there a moment while writing this book when everything suddenly clicked (or when you almost threw the manuscript across the room)?

• Actually, yes on so many levels! 
• After I finished Cinderella’s manuscript and typed it all up, I started sending it around to various publishers who were looking for new writers. 
• My response from them was always the same – “It’s good, but it’s not what we’re looking for.” 
• The final straw was the sudden and tragic death of a dear friend. 
• I took the manuscript and stuck it in a drawer where it stayed for 17 years. 
• I kept writing all during that time, but didn’t send anything out or try to publish anything.

If you could give one piece of advice to new or aspiring writers, what would you tell them?

“It’s wonderful that you have definite goals to work toward.  You should spend your energy and time working toward them and let the frustrations go.”

What’s one fun or unexpected fact about you that readers wouldn’t guess from your official bio?

• I’m an animal lover. 
• I’ve had 2 dogs over the years, both poodles, and am now the godmother of my cousin’s 110-pound Rottweiler. 
• I also advocate on social media for an end to BSL (Breed-specific Legislation). 
• I also enjoy listening to old-time radio programmes and watching classic silent films! 

What are you currently working on, and what can readers expect from you next?

Book Trailers

Where can readers follow you online and keep up with your future books?

• Okay, first and foremost, they can check out my website at www.ginalobiondo.com for a lot of information.  I’ve also got an Amazon Author Page here —
  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gina-Lobiondo/
  I’m also on eBay https://www.ebay.com
  Finally, I have a shop on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/shop/DragonsBearsSlippers