Kathy Hoopmann – Reader of the month

It’s really thrilling to have Kathy Hoopmann as my Reader of the Month. Several weeks ago I attended Kathy’s workshop on writing a memoir. The workshop was as inspiring as Kathy herself.

Kathy’s best know books are All Cats have Asperger Syndrome and All Dogs have ADSHD. Though she admits her favourite book is Tremada, which is now out of print. I found a copy of Tremada on eBay and thoroughly enjoyed the story. You can find out more about Kathy below and from her lovely website www.kathyhoopmann.com.au

5 random things about Kathy:

1) Although I love the company of others, I go slightly insane if I don’t get time alone.
2) I did competitive ballroom dancing when I was younger and love Argentinean tango – although I am not so good at the latter:)
3) I lived for eight years in the Middle East (Dubai) and am heading back there for another three year stint in September.
4) I’ve travelled to about 20 different countries.
5) One day I’d love to move into Christian literature and write for God.

Kathy’s favourite Authors: Gosh there are so many, and they change as my life and interests change. As a child it was Enid Blyton. As a teen my favourites were Marion Zimmer Bradley, and Frank Herbert and Tolkien and many other fantasy authors. Lately I have been drawn to Christian authors and have have a pile of books beside my bed including oldies like CS Lewis’s Screwtape Letters and more contemporary works like Francis Chan’s Erasing Hell.

Something to share about Kathy’s writing and books: Writing defines me. Without it, I start to lose my identity. After an enforced break from writing, that moment when I sit back in front of my computer and I know that I have hours of quiet time ahead of me, is exhilarating. When I write fiction, my greatest joy is when my characters take over and do things I never intended for them to do. When I write non-fiction, I love the feeling of crafting something new. I imagine its much like how a potter would feel when the clay forms under his hands. And yet a greater joy again is when someone contacts me and says how much my books have helped them through hard times. Now that’s when I feel like that all those endless hours of writing is all worth while.

Website: www.kathyhoopmann.com