What’s your pen name and tell me about the books you like to write.

My pen name is Dori Ann Dupré, and I like to write literary fiction with stories based in the south – particularly, North Carolina. My first novel is Scout’s Honor and it was published by Pen Name Publishing in 2016. It is a Readers Favorite International Book Award Winner and an Eric Hoffer Award Finalist. My second novel is Good Buddy, published by EJD Press in 2019. It is a Readers Favorite International Book Award Winner and an Amazon #1 Bestseller for Literary Fiction. Both my books include an overarching story, but within that larger story, are all the real stories – told through extensive character development.

What character of yours would you cast an evil curse on if possible?

I would cast an evil spell on Thom Robinson, a character in my first novel, Scout’s Honor. He is a composite of every man I’ve ever known who is a miserable narcissist.

What character of yours would you bless with a magical gift?

I’d bless my protagonist Scout Webb, from Scout’s Honor, with the magical gift of loving and valuing herself, of seeing her value and recognizing that she is not at fault for what happened to her when she was fourteen. This magical gift would have saved her many years of self loathing, resulting in poor choices, and she would have embraced the love she was worthy of having before it was too late.

What character of yours would you tell all your secrets to and why?

I would tell all my secrets to Buddy Cordova, the protagonist of Good Buddy. Buddy had a huge secret of his own, so he understood what it was like to keep them. As a lawyer, he understood the need for discretion and confidentiality. Lastly, Buddy is based on my late husband who was a man of impeccable integrity and character. He would have kept my secrets and given tremendous grace.

Write only one sentence about your novel without giving spoilers.

Scout’s Honor: A story of a self, lost; a self, loathed; and, a self, rediscovered.

Good Buddy: What kind of love resides in the heart of a man who takes on the raising of another man’s child, having all the responsibilities…but under the law, none of the rights?     

Show me a line you’re proud of writing.

Scout’s Honor: At long last, she felt it. Honor. Her own honor. Scout’s Honor.

Good Buddy: The only steps at their house were the ones that led to the door inside. And inside was a family.

What would your most epic villain say if warned not to do something?

He’d say, in a Manhattan accent, “What did you say to me?”

What would your most epic heroine say when told not to do something she wants?

She’d say, “Close your eyes, then.”

Tell me why you’re passionate about writing.

I am passionate about writing because like the late great Pat Conroy said,

“Writing is the only way I have to explain my own life to myself.”

I believe that. Writing taps into areas of my heart and mind that allow me to safely and effectively heal from loss, work through grief, honor the past and have hope for the future. It allows me to preserve memories, relive memories, and make new memories through honoring my loved ones and people who have touched my life. My writing also is a way to leave something meaningful and tangible to my girls.  am passionate about writing because like the late great Pat Conroy said, “Writing is the only way I have to explain my own life to myself.” I believe that. Writing taps into areas of my heart and mind that allow me to safely and effectively heal from loss, work through grief, honor the past and have hope for the future. It allows me to preserve memories, relive memories, and make new memories through honoring my loved ones and people who have touched my life. My writing also is a way to leave something meaningful and tangible to my girls.  

What book do you want to read next?

I am currently in a heavily academic graduate program, so I am happy to read ANYTHING other than a text book at this point. The next novel I plan to read is Anna Karenina by Tolstoy. I am ashamed to admit that I have never read it.

What are your 2022 goals:

I have been asked to participate in an anthology for 2022 on transforming grief into healing and am looking forward to working on this important story and book. I will also continue writing blog articles for the Hope for Widows Foundation, the #1 online blog for widowed women. As the COVID pandemic continues to work its way through, I am hopeful that I can participate again in book and author events in 2022. As I stated above, I am in a challenging academic graduate program, so it is difficult to work on another novel right now…but the next one is definitely in my head and heart!  

Social media link/account:

Social media:

Twitter @DoriAnnDupre www.twitter.com/DoriAnnDupre

Facebook @AuthorDoriAnnDupre www.facebook.com/AuthorDoriAnnDupre

Instagram @doridj www.instagram.com/doridj

LinkedIn @doridj www.linkedin/in/doridj

Good Reads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14952198.Dori_Ann_Dupr_

Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/DoriAnnDupre