It gives me great pleasure to welcome Lorna Dounaeva onto the website today. Lorna worked for the Home Office before turning to pen quirky British crime novels. She loves nothing more than writing strong female characters.
Alex: Tell me a bit about yourself, Lorna.
Lorna: I was named after a book called Lorna Doone. I grew up in a small village in Hampshire, England and I wanted to be a writer, from the age of five but I thought it was an unrealistic dream so I set it aside for a while. After University, I worked at the Home Office for a while, which sparked my interest in crime, but it wasn't until I had my first child that I got serious about writing and completed my first novel, FRY.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to
explore?
Lorna: I like female villains. I like the theme of guilt, and I'm interested in what drives people to do what they do. My books can be dark, but there is often humour and even romance.
Alex: Tell me a bit about yourself, Lorna.
Lorna: I was named after a book called Lorna Doone. I grew up in a small village in Hampshire, England and I wanted to be a writer, from the age of five but I thought it was an unrealistic dream so I set it aside for a while. After University, I worked at the Home Office for a while, which sparked my interest in crime, but it wasn't until I had my first child that I got serious about writing and completed my first novel, FRY.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to
explore?
Lorna: I like female villains. I like the theme of guilt, and I'm interested in what drives people to do what they do. My books can be dark, but there is often humour and even romance.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Lorna: In the past I didn't plan, aside from knowing where the book would end up. Recently, I've been working with more detailed outlines. i think both methods are equally valid.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Lorna: My latest book is The Bitter End, the last in the McBride Vendetta series. I also have a stand alone psychological thriller called The Wrong Twin that came out this year.
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Lorna: It was called Flossy Teacake, about a girl who put on an old fur coat and got magical powers.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Lorna: I have to be careful not to get carried away as the more research I do, the less books I can write.
Lorna: In the past I didn't plan, aside from knowing where the book would end up. Recently, I've been working with more detailed outlines. i think both methods are equally valid.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Lorna: My latest book is The Bitter End, the last in the McBride Vendetta series. I also have a stand alone psychological thriller called The Wrong Twin that came out this year.
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Lorna: It was called Flossy Teacake, about a girl who put on an old fur coat and got magical powers.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Lorna: I have to be careful not to get carried away as the more research I do, the less books I can write.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Lorna: I might take little details from real people but I would never base a character entirely on a real person. It wouldn't be fair. Also, I really like inventing people!
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Lorna: The Kite Runner was really moving. Very different from the books I usually read but really emotional.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Lorna: I love books and films and I like doing creative projects with my children. I also love to travel.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Lorna: I love Marian Keyes because she can make you laugh and cry in the same paragraph.
Alex: Thank you so much Lorna for sharing with us your take on this mysterious business of conjuring up imaginary worlds on the page. I love your honesty over the subject of research by the way. That one made me smile.
Lorna: Thank you Alex.
Lorna: I might take little details from real people but I would never base a character entirely on a real person. It wouldn't be fair. Also, I really like inventing people!
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Lorna: The Kite Runner was really moving. Very different from the books I usually read but really emotional.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Lorna: I love books and films and I like doing creative projects with my children. I also love to travel.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Lorna: I love Marian Keyes because she can make you laugh and cry in the same paragraph.
Alex: Thank you so much Lorna for sharing with us your take on this mysterious business of conjuring up imaginary worlds on the page. I love your honesty over the subject of research by the way. That one made me smile.
Lorna: Thank you Alex.
