Dorothy Koomson's Blog, page 7
May 18, 2019
Tell Me Your Secret Video Series – Ep 2
This is episode 2 in the TELL ME YOUR SECRET video mini series. This time I’m talking about my main character, Pieta, who has a devastating secret, and how #Brighton & #Hove feature in her story… Enjoy! (I honestly tried very hard to keep the talking with my hands to a minimum!)
The post Tell Me Your Secret Video Series – Ep 2 appeared first on Dorothy Koomson.
Tell Me Your Secret Video Series – Ep 1
I recently filmed a series of short videos to give you a little insight into TELL ME YOUR SECRET. It’s all about the book’s characters, settings and my writing process. This is the first episode where I talk about the storyline. Enjoy!
The post Tell Me Your Secret Video Series – Ep 1 appeared first on Dorothy Koomson.
May 16, 2019
Just asking
Here are some answers to the questions I’m asked the most. If your question isn’t here do email me via the contact me page. I will do my best to get back to you.
When is your next book coming out?
My next new novel, Tell Me Your Secret, will be on sale in June.
What order did you write your books in?
My books were published:
The Cupid Effect (2003)
The Chocolate Run (2004)
My Best Friend’s Girl (2006)
Marshmallows For Breakfast (2007)
Goodnight, Beautiful (2008)
The Ice Cream Girls (2010)
The Woman He Loved Before (2011)
The Rose Petal Beach (2012)
The Flavours Of Love (2014)
That Girl From Nowhere (2015)
When I Was Invisible (2016)
The Friend (2017)
The Brighton Mermaid (2018)
Tell Me Your Secret (2019)
Did you have any say in the TV adapation of The Ice Cream Girls.
None whatsoever! I’ve written this piece called The Two Ice Cream Girls to explain my feelings on the TV adapation and the changes made.
Where can I buy your books in the US?
At present only My Best Friend’s Girl, Marshmallows For Breakfast, Goodnight, Beautiful and The Ice Cream Girls are available to buy in the US. The Woman He Loved Before should be released sometime in 2013. In the meantime, the only way I can think of you to get my other books over there is to order them from a UK website, or ask anyone who’s coming over here to get them for you.
Has anything in your stories happened to you or anyone you know?
In general, the answer is no. I draw on elements of other people’s stories and personalities to create my books, but my work is fiction. I am not any of my main characters – they tend to have much more exciting lives than me. My ideas come from life, from talking to people, from overhearing conversations in public, from wondering how I’d handle myself in certain situations. Like I say, I write fiction so I make up plots and characters but the original situations that I draw my ‘what ifs’ from are based on real life.
Will you read my work/help me get it published?
Finding out what I think is very unlikely to help you get published. Your best bet is to keep going with your writing, get it into as excellent shape as you think possible and send it off to agents and publishers. If you do get rejection letters try not to let it dent your confidence too much, just keep writing. Being published is fantastic – and it’ll be all the more amazing if you’re published for doing something you love.
Despite what many people say, it’s virtually impossible to predict what publishers will love and will reject so, it’s always best to write what you love and send it out there in the best possible shape.
Can you endorse my idea/website/book/project?
One of the most important things I learnt from being a journalist is to be honest about the things you endorse or say. It makes whatever you do endorse all the more credible because you do genuinely think it’s amazing. Unless I’ve tried something, read it or gained something from it, I’m not able to say I love it. At the moment, I have so little time, it’s very difficult to read or try anything new. So, apologies, I can’t at the moment endorse anything.
How do you find the time to write?
I make the time. I’ve had two jobs (full-time journalist and novelist) for so long that I had to find whatever little time I could to write. I used to write on the train to work, in front of the television, in the middle of the night when everyone on my side of the globe was asleep. It was what I had to do to write my books and pay my bills. In my experience, you have to do a lot of non-novel work to be able to write books. The idea that you get a huge advance on the first go is wonderful. . . and mostly the stuff of fiction. If it happens to you, then fabulous. If it doesn’t happen to you, then try not to feel discouraged, keep going. Also, having another job is great for researching stories to write about.
Do you know of any good creative writing courses?
I haven’t taken any creative writing courses and I wouldn’t recommend any without having tried them. A good place to start would be the Society of Authors who might have a list or would be able to point you in the right direction. You will have to be a member, though. Also try asking at your local library or local adult educational institute. If I was signing up for a course, I’d do a little research on the tutor to see what qualifications and pieces of work they’ve had published.
Will you write a sequel to My Best Friend’s Girl?
I’m not one for writing sequels, so I doubt very much I’ll write a sequel to My Best Friend’s Girl (I really think the story of Tegan and Kamryn has been told) nor any of my other novels. I do sometimes speculate about what happens to my various characters after the story has ended, but I don’t think my speculating would make good enough books. . . Having said that, you never know what the future holds, but at the moment, I’m not planning on writing any follow-ups.
Will you reply to my email?
Please don’t take offence if I don’t reply to your emails, I love getting them but until I am given access to a cloning machine where I can duplicate a Dorothy Koomson who can answer emails, I am unable to reply to each one personally.
The post Just asking appeared first on Dorothy Koomson.
April 12, 2019
Lola Jaye’s Top Book Picks
I’m often fascinated by what other writers read. Author Lola Jaye was kind enough to share her top reads . . .
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
The
writings of the inspiring Dr Angelou remind us of human resilience, and triumph
over tragedy. And this autobiography will always occupy a special slot in my
bookshelf – and my heart. There’s something just so undeniably beautiful about
the prose and the raw emotion that sings from each page. As a writer, I read as
a writer. But this book had the power to take me away from everything but the
story, which was able to seamlessly transport me back in time to the moment of
segregation in America and the accompanying brutality of that moment in
history. It also forced me to witness this world through the eyes of a child –
a skill I use in my own writing today.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
In the
name of self-care, this book remained on my shelf for a good few years before I
finally decided to read it. I needed to be in a certain place mentally to
really take it on. And I’m so glad I waited. What a beautifully written,
thought-provoking and moving piece of writing. Considering the subject matter
of child murder, there were understandably some harrowing scenes, but I was
reluctant for the book to end. I even found myself repeating certain sentences
in my head, just because of the sheer beauty of their construction. I recall a
particular scene involving the lead character coming face to face with an old
family pet called Holiday who had died years before – and still, I can’t get
away from how that imagery made me feel.
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
This book
transported me into a world I had obviously never been a part of. From its wonderful
descriptions of a geisha’s obi and kimono to the sense of time and place –
every single page felt like part of a feast I wanted to devour slowly. I felt
as if I was there, too, living and breathing the life of a Japanese geisha and
not in my North London flat eating a bag of soggy chips! I saw the film version
twice, which I really enjoyed. But nothing beats this beautiful book, which
will stay in my mind forever.
Kaleidoscope by Danielle Steel
I first
read this book as a teenager, but could not really stop thinking about it long
after I had finished reading. The intense suffering of the main character and
how her experience differed to that of her siblings was brilliantly illustrated
and intrigued me so much, I read it again (something I rarely do) as an adult –
the effect was the same. This incredible story of three sisters separated as
children remained an intriguing premise and formed the basis of my novel Orphan
Sisters.
A Day Late and a Dollar Short by Terri McMillan
This book
deals with the rawness of a modern and somewhat dysfunctional family. I enjoy
writing about such families because of the different nuances and layers I get
to explore – something the writer does here, brilliantly. This book had a
clever way of presenting the perspective of so many characters without
confusing me. No spoilers here, but three quarters into the book, what happens
to one of the main characters, Viola, shocked me to the core. Ms Terri McMillan
had totally shattered the ‘secret writing rules’ that I thought were set in
stone – but it worked. Spectacularly. Simply my favorite Terri Macmillan book
so far.
Lola’s newest book, Wartime Sweethearts, is available to order now. Click here: Wartime Sweethearts
March 16, 2019
The Dancers’ Stories
This is Nika’s story
This is Roni’s story
You can buy the paperback of When I Was Invisible here: When I was Invisible on Amazon
The post The Dancers’ Stories appeared first on Dorothy Koomson.
January 16, 2019
Tell Me Your Secret
Pieta has a secret
Ten years ago, Pieta was
kidnapped by a man calling himself The Blindfolder who said he
wouldn’t kill her if she kept her eyes closed for 48 hours. She never told
anyone what happened to her, vowing to move on with her life. But when The
Blindfolder starts hunting down his past victims, Pieta realises
she may finally be forced to tell her deepest secrets to stay
alive . . .
Jody has a secret
Fifteen years ago,
policewoman Jody made a terrible mistake that resulted in a serial killer known
as The Blindfolder escaping justice. When Jody discovers
journalist Pieta survived an attack by him, she realises she
may finally have found a way to catch him. But that would
mean endangering at least two innocent people . . .
They kept quiet to protect themselves. Will telling all save or sacrifice each other?
The blurb means . . .
Tell Me Your Secret is my fifteenth novel and even though it’s about two women, it’s actually about a lot of women. You know, the women who are the victims in serial killer stories.
I wanted to look at what it means to be a survivor and victim
in today’s world and explore how the tentacles of crime reach out and encompass
everyone including those who aren’t, at first glance, directly effected by the
crime.
It wasn’t an easy book to write and it went to some pretty
sinister places, but I loved creating the characters. I loved getting to know
Pieta and Jody and every other person in this book. I hope you enjoy it, too.
It wasn’t an easy book to write and it went to some pretty sinister places, but I loved creating the characters. I loved getting to know Pieta and Jody and every other person in this book. I hope you enjoy it, too.
You can order Tell Me Your Secret by clicking here: TELL ME YOUR SECRET
Here’s the trailer for Tell Me Your Secret . It gives me chills.
September 10, 2018
Tell Me Your Secret
ALL ABOUT MY NEW BOOK!
The new emotional thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Ice Cream Girls, My Best Friend’s Girl and The Brighton Mermaid. Dorothy Koomson, ‘Queen of the big reveal’, is back with a gripping page-turner full of twists and turns.
Pieta has a secret
Ten years ago, Pieta was kidnapped from outside a London nightclub by a man who said he wouldn’t kill her if she kept her eyes closed for 48 hours. Pieta survived the weekend but was left emotionally and physically scarred by the experience. Now living in Brighton, she is a mother and journalist with a good life – until she is tasked with interviewing Callie, a woman who has the same story and scars as she does. Pieta has never told anyone what she did to escape with her life but now she may have to…
Jody has a secret
Fifteen years ago policewoman Jody made a terrible mistake that resulted in a prolific serial killer known as The Blindfolder escaping justice. Only his newest victim Callie is willing to talk publicly about her ordeal, but when Jody finds out journalist Pieta was also once kidnapped by him, she realises how she can catch him. But that would mean endangering at least two innocent people…
Callie has a secret
As the newest victim of the man known as the Blindfolder, Callie knows all eyes are on her to tell her story and give the police the information they need to catch this man. But does Callie know more than she is willing to tell?
They kept quiet to protect themselves.
Will they tell all to save or sacrifice each other?
BUY TELL ME YOUR SECRET BY CLICKING HERE
April 17, 2018
My Upcoming Events
Here are some of my upcoming events. Hope to see you there!
LONDON: 26 April, 6.30pm
Celebrating Emily Bronte @ 200
Baileys Book Bar, Waterstones
82 Gower Street, London
Tickets & info: https://www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/reading-room/events/wpff-baileys-book-bar-celebrating-emily-bronte-200
BRIGHTON: 16 May, 7:30pm
We Love Brighton event
Raising money for Little Green Pig
Brighton, Waterstones
71-74 North Street, Brighton,
Tickets & info: https://www.waterstones.com/events/we-love-brighton-with-dorothy-koomson/brighton
LONDON: 17 May, 7pm
Lambeth Readers and Writer’s Festival
Tate Streatham Library
63 Streatham High Road, London
Tickets & info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dorothy-koomson-the-brighton-mermaid-tickets-44872556023
LONDON: 22 May, 7pm
Motherhood Reconstructed Bookclub
Reading The Friend,
The Library, 112 St Martin’s Lane, London
Tickets & info: https://mailchi.mp/9739db30bb77/motherhood-reconstructed-book-club
HITCHIN: 24 May, 7:15pm
Author Talk
Hitchin Library, Paynes Park, Hitchin
Tickets & info: https://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/hitchin/events/feature/dorothy-koomson–the-brighton-mermaid/
My Upcoming Events
Here are some of my upcoming events. Hope to see you there!
LONDON: 26 April, 6.30pm
Celebrating Emily Bronte @ 200
Baileys Book Bar, Waterstones
82 Gower Street, London
Tickets & info: https://www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/reading-room/events/wpff-baileys-book-bar-celebrating-emily-bronte-200
BRIGHTON: 16 May, 7:30pm
We Love Brighton event
Raising money for Little Green Pig
Brighton, Waterstones
71-74 North Street, Brighton,
Tickets & info: https://www.waterstones.com/events/we-love-brighton-with-dorothy-koomson/brighton
LONDON: 17 May, 7pm
Lambeth Readers and Writer’s Festival
Tate Streatham Library
63 Streatham High Road, London
Tickets & info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dorothy-koomson-the-brighton-mermaid-tickets-44872556023
LONDON: 22 May, 7pm
Motherhood Reconstructed Bookclub
Reading The Friend,
The Library, 112 St Martin’s Lane, London
Tickets & info: https://mailchi.mp/9739db30bb77/motherhood-reconstructed-book-club
HITCHIN: 24 May, 7:15pm
Author Talk
Hitchin Library, Paynes Park, Hitchin
Tickets & info: https://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/hitchin/events/feature/dorothy-koomson–the-brighton-mermaid/
March 29, 2018
The Brighton Mermaid Extract
Hurrah! Here are the first few pages of The Brighton Mermaid for you to read! Click on the image above or on THE BRIGHTON MERMAID to read the first few pages of my 14th novel.
And this video is of me reading an extract from The Brighton Mermaid.
Dorothy Koomson reads from The Brighton Mermaid
