ELAINE HOPPER
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Below
is an interview I had with Elaine Hopper via E-mail quite some time ago.
In the following interview you will be able to read about Elaine Hopper and
get to know a little about her through this interview. At the bottom of the
page is a book cover of one of her books
and a list of Kathleen's books published and soon to be published. Click the
title to find a review of that book.
Unfortunately due to the expansion of our site amongst other reasons this
interview as well as other ones have been delayed for much longer than expected
THE
INTERVIEW
What
genres do you write?
Contemporary Romance. Romantic Suspense. Inspirational
Romance. Teen Romance. And one time travel romance - novelette. (Mainly contemporary
romance - many are romantic comedies.)
What
genres would you like to write?
Time travel romance because it's fun to take a contemporary
heroine and plop her into a totally new situation and watch how she copes
with her dilemma.
Where
do you get your ideas?
Ideas come from everywhere. Let me give you some examples.
A couple of years ago, a young man was really getting into dancing at my husband's office party. He was a charmer and a cute kid and I just had to go home and write a scene with him. Using the context of that party as well as a company like my husband's, my first romantic suspense story was born which is entitled 'Mata Hali' which will be released by New Concepts Publishing in August or September 2001. Simegen gave it a 5* review about which I'm thrilled.
Movies, other stories, radio announcements, stories from my own genealogy, and antics my children have pulled, have all given me story ideas and have since become books or short stories.
There are rumors that my husband's great grandmother is sister to the Dalton Gang. That fascinated me. An amateur genealogist, I've been tracking it down. I can't prove it yet, but it sent my imagination racing. And thus, my historical novelette 'Gambling On Love' was born. It will be released November 2001 by Awe-Struck Ebooks as part of the 'Seasons of Romance' Holiday Anthology.
My most recently contracted story, 'Lions of Judah' just will be released in print by NovelBooks Inc. on October 1, 2001, was inspired by Titanic. I changed it around and added a lot of non- Titanic like elements, but the heroine in Titanic inspired my novel.
Do
you pattern your characters after any real people?
Sometimes. Refer to the last question.
What
authors do you admire?
There are many authors whom I admire: Stephen King,
Sherryl Woods, Deb Stover, Karen Robards. I love both Stephen King's way with
words and his marvelous descriptions, as well as his absolutely brilliant
plots and characterization. His range is phenomenal. For instance look at
THE STAND, my all time favorite book. He created Mother Abigail who is a deeply
devout centurian, who leads God's children to Boulder. Meanwhile, he created
equally believable and riveting characters like the crazy Trash Can Man, and
the average every day Joe Blow, Stuart, who saves the world.
What
authors do you read?
Stephen King, Sherryl Woods, Holly Fuhrmann, Karen Robards,
Sandra Brown, Deb Stover, Lori Soard, Sandy Madden
What
genres do you read?
Usually contemporary romance, but sometimes horror (Stephen
King only), and sometimes historical romance.
What
do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
I'd like to be able to quit my full time day job and
be writing full time in 10 years.
Do
you see yourself ever not writing?
NO!!! I live to write. Even if no one reads my books,
I'll write for my own pleasure.
What
books do you have planned in the near future?
I'm working on a military romance (I'm ex-Air Force)
and another romantic suspense. I hope to have at least one, if not both, finished
by year end. I'm also about half-way through a short contemporary romance.
How
did you get started writing?
I started writing short stories when I learned to read.
I guess writing is my destiny. I fell in love with the written word as soon
as I met it. As far as romance writing in particular, I started devouring
Harlequins when I was ten or eleven. Then when I was in college and my husband
couldn't come home that weekend from his Air Force base, I amused myself trying
to write my own romance. I was immediately addicted and have been writing
romance since.
What
age were you when you started to write?
Five or six years old.
When
is your next book due?
My next books due out are the duet of 'MATA HALI' and
'NAUGHTY & NICE' from New Concepts Publishing in August 2001. Shortly
thereafter, 'LIONS OF JUDAH' will be released October 1, 2001 by NovelBooks
Inc. And the following month, my time travel romantic novelette 'GAMBLE ON
LOVE' will be released by Awe- Struck Ebooks as part of the 'SEASONS OF ROMANCE'
Holiday Anthology. GAMBLE has a Thanksgiving theme.
Was
there any author or authors that helped you get your in start writing, or helped you break into the field?
I'll be forever grateful to Sandy Madden for introducing
me to RWA and telling me how to get involved in our local chapter I first
knew Sandy as Sandy Coakley when she was married to my boss. She wasn't published
yet but was further along the path than I was. I am thrilled that Sandy and
her new husband, Dave Madden (Reuben Kincaid in the Partridge Family) have
just moved back to my part of the country so that I can see Sandy again at
our local RWA meetings.
Also, more recently, Linnea Sinclair (aka Megan Sybil Baker) also from my local RWA chapter, introduced me to my newest publisher, NovelBooks Inc. My first print book will be released as a result, on October 1, 2001. It is 'LIONS OF JUDAH', a romantic suspense.
What
made you choose the genres you write?
At the time I started writing seriously, I chose contemporary
because I didn't see a time without air conditioning or indoor plumbing as
particularly romantic. Since then, I got more involved in genealogical research,
and have changed my mind. However, it is very difficult to write a historical
novel. In the course of writing my historical-time travel novelette, I had
to stop and think about every word and every item I used, to see if it would
fit into 1881 Kentucky. It requires a lot more research and thought than writing
a contemporary. It was fun, but a definite stretch.
Do
you have a special subgenre?
Several of my contemporary romances are comedy romances.
Those that aren't comedy are usually action/adventure or suspense.
Do
you have a favorite place you like to write?
The majority of my stories are set in South Florida
where I've lived for the past thirteen years because I know it and because
it can be exotic and dangerous. When I became nostalgic for home, I set a
story in Ohio, where I was born and raised. I've also set stories in Nebraska/Iowa
where I was stationed in the military. A couple of times, I changed location
to Pennsylvania or Michigan or even California, if my story required that
particular setting. Except for California, however, I tend to stay in the
Eastern United States as I've traveled throughout it and am familiar with
it.
In
what order do you write? For example starting beginning to end, combining parts, in random order or in development cycle?
I'm trying to write beginning to end now and this is
because I've skipped over parts in the past that gave me problems, just to
have to return and write the sections I skipped. This can be dangerous as
I've been known to forget things or worse, redo a scene in a different way
with some new elements, and then I have an editing nightmare on my hands.
Do
you feel that the e-books afford authors a bit more freedom of expression
in their books?
A LOT more freedom! I love it. I want to read, and write,
a GOOD book. Period! As a reader, I don't care if a formula is broken as long
as the story is well written and intriguing. I like to read sci-fi and horror
blended with romance. I don't want to read anything that doesn't have some
romance At the same time, I don't want to read the same romance over and over
again. Sometimes I want to read about apocalypse nearly averted, but I don't
want it to be straight shoot 'em up Rambo-like action-adventures like my husband
gets into. I want some meat to my stories. In short, I want my cake and eat
it, too, and there's no reason we shouldn't have it.
What
do you feel is, or isn't being done to promote authors?
I wish that all my publishers had the funds to promote
my books as if I were Stephen King or Nora Roberts. But I'm realistic enough
to know this isn't possible. Not time wise or financially. I know that my
publishers are working very hard to promote us and have exciting new ideas
they are either in the process of implementing or hoping to implement in the
not too distant future.
Do
you feel that the marketing departments have their finger on the pulse of
readers?
No. They claim to do marketing research, however, they've
ignored or even killed niches like paranormal, leaving readers screaming for
such stories.
How
do you feel about review rating systems?
They're confusing. In an idyllic world, I'd like to
see all review rating systems be the same. 4* reviews do not translate to
all other 4* reviews at different sites. Some review sites give no stars,
roses, thumbs up, highly recommend ratings, etc. and others are all over the
board. A 3* review at a site that only gives 4* at most, does not equate to
a review site that gives 5*, 6*, or even 10*. Even if a site gave 3* as it's
very highest review, I wouldn't print that on my cover or on my website as
readers would probably mistake that for a 3* out of 5* rating system. Some
sites give no stars or star equivalents. I doubt there will ever be a consensus
to standardize rating systems, and I'm not going to hold my breath, but I'd
love to see it happen.
Through
what venues do you feel most of your books are being sold?
Since all my books are ebooks, my books are being sold
through my publishers or online book stores. This will change as of October
2001, but NovelBooks is new and thus still working on their distribution channels.
NCP and Awe-Struck are both always seeking out new distribution channels as
well. I'm very fortunate to be working with such forward thinking industry
leaders.
What
do you feel is the best part of the publishing industry?
They're my second family, my community. I've met many
wonderful friends. I'm at home spending time with other people in the publishing
industry. The excitement and constant marching into the future aspects aren't
bad byproducts, but the friendships I've made is the very best part.
What
do you feel needs to be changed about the industry?
There needs to be much more PR about electronic books.
My mind is boggled. Now that I have a print book coming out this October,
people are telling me that they want my book right away. This hasn't happened
to nearly the same extent with my ebooks. Is my writing or my stories suddenly
different or better? I don't think so. The only difference is the publishing
format. The whole mind set has to be changed. Is a musical recording any different
when it's on a record than it is when it's on a tape, 8-track, or CD? NO!
A book is a book is a book, whether it is printed on paper or data bytes in
a computer. The story is the SAME.
We have to keep on promoting and teaching readers that electronic publishing is still publishing. It will happen - it's just a matter of when - probably in the next 10-25 years when today's teenagers reach 40 and they're running the world.
Do
you think small press and e-books will be the wave of the future?
Definitely! Some people are resistant of change. Mostly
the older generation and even some people in my own generation fear computers
and/or ebooks. My children have no such fear or prejudice. I have three teenagers
and two younger children that adore computers. They will read print or ebooks
with equal fervor. They and their friends love the new technology. Ebooks
are less expensive to purchase and save resources which are definite plusses.
As far as small presses go, I think looking at any business model, there is always room for small businesses to fill niches passed over by larger competitors. New ideas and new ways of doing business are the cornerstone of our society. Why should publishing be any different than business in general? As I mentioned above, readers are crying out for paranormal and sci-fi romances. The big publishing houses marketing departments are nixing these types of stories, leaving room for small presses to fill in the gap. As long as there are gaps and savvy business people/publishers willing to take risks and fulfill dreams, we will have small presses.
Recent Or Upcoming Elaine Hopper titles:
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Published by Awe-Struck: Published by New Concepts Publishing: Tigers Play Too Rough ~ an action/adventure romance Published by NovelBooks Inc.: Lions of Judah ~ a romantic suspense |
See a problem with this page? Email:spotlights@simegen.com