I love getting all your emails, and do be assured that I read them all. Due to the large number of emails I now receive, I am unable to reply to each one personally. But I do appreciate you taking the time to get in touch. If you would like to contact me, email me on dorothy@dorothykoomson.co.uk or leave me a message on the forum (you have to register, first, though).
Before you begin typing. . .
If you have a specific question, try reading the replies I've written to the most common questions I'm asked.
Are your first two novels on sale? The Cupid Effect is on sale again!! (Two exclamation marks are definitely required.) It was so exciting seeing my 'first born' on the shelves again sporting a new look. Bless The Cupid Effect.
The Chocolate Run will be on sale at the beginning of February 2008. I'll let you know nearer the time.
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.
Where do you get your ideas from?
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.
Some of the things you've said in your book aren't how they'd happen in 'real life'.
My work is fiction meaning I do have creative license to work with elements of a story. And, like I say, the original situations do come from 'real life' that I then build on.
Will you read my work/critique it?
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.
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.
Can you send me pictures of Nate and Luke?
Erm, no. They're not real.
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.
'An emotional, smart modern drama.' heat, June 2007
'Both funny and moving this will have you reaching for the tissues.' Closer, May 2006
'What makes The Chocolate Run such a winning read is that
Koomson's characters develop in a believable way.' Heat, April 2004
'A laugh-out-loud, feelgood page-turner.' She, Feb 2003
If you have a specific question, try reading the replies I've written to the most common questions I'm asked.