Say hi to... chick lit author Molly Hopkins

I'm delighted to have the stunning Molly Hopkins with me today. So without further ado...

Who is Molly Hopkins?
I’m a mum of two, living in London. I have a twenty year old daughter who steals all my clothes, make up and perfume. And an eighteen year old boy who steals all the food out of the fridge. And I have two smelly big dogs, and a boyfriend. I’m the only one in the house who cleans up and puts the bin out, and I’m the only one who can cook. But that’s all going to change from tomorrow because I’ve just had a manicure and acrylic nails put on, I love them. So there’s going to be some big lifestyle changes in this house, because the nails are here to stay!

There is such a mix of fun and romance in your first book ‘It Happened in Paris’ Where did the inspiration come from?

I was a European Tour Guide for fifteen years, and so much of what you read in ‘It Happened In Paris’ is from personal experience. That said, there is NO way that I would ever admit to what is fact and what is fiction. Although I would just like to point out at this stage that I have never had sex in the luggage compartment of a coach, honestly I haven’t. So when you get to that bit in the book, don’t think to yourself ‘did Molly really do that?’

Are you inspired by actual people you know?
Yes. I am, all the time. I’m a real people watcher. Lulu, my supporting character in ‘It Happened In Paris,’ is a devil, (inspired by my hairdresser).  Although in fairness my hairdresser is not quite as self-centered and mischievous. I love crafting the personality of a female demon it gives me the chance to portray my wicked self and lay the blame for my misgivings at my characters feet. Likewise when I meet a real sweetie, someone who is so delightful that you cannot see fault, I make a point of trying to find a place for them in a storyline somewhere.

There are two more books in the It Happened series: It Happened at Boot Camp, and It Happened in Venice. What can we expect from them?

In ‘It Happened At Bootcamp,’ My two main characters Evie and Lulu have a bet. Evie challenges Lulu to survive two weeks without sleeping with a man, (a tough call for a girl like Lulu, as you’ll know if you’ve read ‘It Happened In Paris’).  Against Lulu’s better judgment she accepts the bet, but regrets her decision about a nanosecond later. And so to support her flagging willpower, Lulu reserves two places at an all female military Bootcamp, on the basis that if there are no men around to sleep with, then she won’t be tempted. But Evie is equally determined to win the bet, and so girl warfare begins. Evie’s mission is to find Lulu a man, and Lulu’s mission is to resist him. Added to this is the fact that Lulu has never been in a gym in her life, and Evie has only been once. The girls bloody hate exercise. The strength of their friendship is pushed to the limit of endurance with hilarious consequences. I laughed the whole time I was writing it, I think everyone will see a bit of themselves in there somewhere.  In ‘It Happened In Venice,’ all the same characters are back. Evie travels to Barbados, Marrakesh, Dublin, Amsterdam and Venice. There are loads of surprises and a bombshell towards the end. I can’t say anymore than that, you’ll just have to read it for yourself.

Do you get feedback from readers around the world? How does it make you feel?
Yes I do. I get messages and tweets from Brazil, Poland and Bulgaria. And I love it. It gives me a huge buzz to think that girls so far away are reading my work and enjoying it. I feel very honored.

Do you plan your novels from start to finish? Or are you a bit of a fly by the seat of your pants sort of writer?
I have the beginning, the middle and the end. I don’t have the journey in between. The middle bit constantly changes as my ideas develop.

What's the hardest part of writing the book, the beginning or the end?
I think the beginning is more difficult because you want to immediately capture your reader’s attention, but at the same time you don’t want plot overload so that readers are thinking, ‘what the hell is going on, it’s all happening so quickly?’

Have you ever spotted anyone reading your books anywhere?
I saw a girl on the beach in Spain reading one of my books, and I saw a lady getting one out at the library. It was such a weird feeling. Lovely, but weird.

What are you working on at the moment?
I’m working on a new sexy book at the moment. I’m loving it, it’s not a follow-on of the ‘It Happened,’ series, it’s a stand alone. The story follows the turbulent love lives of two sisters, with sometimes heartbreaking and often hilarious consequences.

Molly, it's been a pleasure having you on Fiction Dreams. Any last thoughts?
Just a last word, to say a big ‘Thank You,’ to anyone who has read the ‘It Happened,’ books. I know you have plenty books to choose from and so I do appreciate you buying mine.

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