[2] Her debut consisted of a volume of essays, Strejftog (Raids, 1947), and a novel, Mellemspil (Interlude, 1947), both inspired by her war experiences and her subsequent grief.
Her interest in the United States continued, encouraging her to write critical but well-informed accounts of the McCarthy era in Nye strejftog, a collection of essays published in 1957.
Together with her husband, Gress created the Decenter artistic centre in Glumsø, attracting guests from around the globe to exhibitions, theatrical performances and lectures.
The American film director Tom O'Horgan, whom Gress had met in the United States, staged her play Den sårede Filoktet on television in 1976, establishing her reputation as a dramatist.
As a result of financial difficulties, the family had to sell Decenter in 1971, after which they moved to the forester's residence at Marienborg in Damsholte on the island of Møn.