Doreen Hopwood
What made you decide to become a writer?
I was always writing as a child, and as I grew up, I fell into writing poetry, usually very long story poems! I became interested in feminine spirituality, fairy lore and mythology, and had quite a few poems published in a popular publication of that genre. I have published poetry in several creative writing group publications over the years, as well as performing at events and Open Mic nights. My novel ‘A Dynasty of Dragons’ started out as an exercise for the writing group – a short story called ‘Molly’s Garden’.
How do you decide your plots? Are they taken from events that have happened to you? Do you base your characters on real people – or do you prefer to be fully creative and make them up?
I didn’t plot any of this novel, it just happened – sounds mad, but true. My characters are taken from mythology and from my imagination – I have used some family names for a few of my human characters.
What comes first for you – the plot or the characters? And why?
It is hard for me to separate them as regards my first novel – both were intertwined from the start. The plot is more important in the second novel.
How many books have you written and/or published and which is your favourite?
‘A Dynasty of Dragons’ is my first published novel, and I am currently working on my second.
Tell me more about your favourite book – the plot, characters, setting, POV, tense
Obviously my first – I created a fantasy world I would like to live in myself – I love the idea that in another dimension people were watching us develop as a species and making a deliberate choice NOT to be like us, and although they themselves live in a far from perfect world, they have learned from OUR mistakes.
What is your favourite genre to write in? Tell me why.
Fantasy because your imagination can run riot!
Did you need to do research for your book? If so, how much did you do, how did you do it?
One of the benefits of being an older author is that I have a lifetime of knowledge, learning and experience to draw on. I doubt I could have written this book forty years ago. Life is a great teacher. I really researched very little – just the odd bits and pieces I wasn’t sure of – again, one of the benefits of writing about things you have been interested in your whole life. I am also hugely influenced by the journalist, author and as some used to call him, ‘rogue archaeologist’, Graham Hancock. His book ‘Fingerprints of the Gods’ blew me away.
Would you travel to the area where your book is set? Do you already know the area? Have you written about that area because it’s a place you know? Have you used the original name of the area or manipulated place names?
I have visited and am familiar with most of the places in my novel, and because I love them, it was a joy to put them in the story. Most of the place names in the fantasy world are made-up.
How do you feel about killing off popular characters? Is it something you enjoy doing in your own books? Have you done it?
I didn’t kill anyone off in my novel, although I thought about it, and then decided against it, as I decided the character in question was going to be quite a player in my second novel. I am considering killing off someone in the second novel.
Would you write any genre or do you stick to one?
I am a great believer in writing about what you know – what I know is suited to writing fantasy, so I’ll stick with that.
Do you write under a pseudonym or your own name?
My own name.
Does your family read your work? If not, would you like them to? Are you books their thing? Would it bother you if they weren’t interested in reading any of them?
Yes, my family read my work and have been extremely supportive. I don’t think it would bother me if they didn’t because I know fantasy isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. They help me in as much as they tend not to interrupt me when they know I am writing unless they have to.
How many hours a day or week would you say you spend writing? Is it a potential career for you, is it something you do outside your day job?
My first novel took me six years to complete because it was very much a part-time enterprise – mostly ‘homework’ for my writing group, not something I took very seriously at all at first. I have a very busy life, but I did begin to spend more time as the story took on a life of its own and really began to develop, but even then, I sometimes wouldn’t go near it for weeks due to other pressures. It’s not a career choice for me, it’s something I do for the great pleasure it brings me.
Is writing therapeutic for you, or does it cause you to stress out?
It is very therapeutic – I just sit down at the computer, go with the flow, and forget about everything else for a while.
How do you market your books?
As this is my first book, I am very new at this. I have contacted a few sites on Facebook and have been lucky enough to have had my promotional video accepted. The county libraries are giving me a promotional event, and this is being advertised on the libraries’ social media sites; the local paper is attending and I am being interviewed by another published author who promotes local authors – she is also advertising the event throughout the area. My novel is also being sold by two local shops and there are a few book fayres coming up. My book is primarily available on Amazon, of course.
Tell me why you market them this way – how it helps. Would you be open to help when it comes to marketing and promoting your work?
Promoting through the Facebook sites helps reach a wide audience – one of these sites has 1.5million followers. Local groups, events and shops promote my book locally – I live in a popular tourist area, and we have lots of visitors throughout the year. I am open to any help when it comes to marketing and promotion.
How do you react to reviews? Would you prefer just good ones or are you okay to receive a bad one occasionally? How does this make you feel?
It’s early days yet and so far, only good ones, but I am wise enough to understand (through my own online business) that you can’t please everyone, and some people will write horrible things rather than just say ‘Nah, not my cup of tea.’ That’s life. Obviously the more good reviews the better.
