Sandra Doran - It Didn't Just Happen Overnight, It Took Years - But I'm Glad I Did It (Author, Speaker)

We didn't have much growing up but we were rich in friends that have lasted a lifetime. 

1. Tell us more about your background and journey.

I was raised by parents on a council estate with two younger sisters. We didn't have much growing up but we were rich in friends that have lasted a lifetime. Finding myself divorced with a baby to raise at a relatively young age I had to return to work. 

I took whatever job I could to make ends meet. Wasn't always easy but it worked. It was only when my son got older I decided I wanted to improve my education. I signed up for various courses but I found my main interest was English literature and language. 

From there I went onto study journalism, short story writing and progressed into novel writing. It didn't just happen overnight, it took years - but I'm glad I did it.


2. How can one become a public speaker?

I first became interested in public speaking when I heard how hard it was for women who had been in a similar situation as myself to return to education and start over. 

I wanted to inspire others to return to work and achieve their goals. When various WIs, schools, colleges and libraries contacted and invited me to speak I was happy to oblige.

3. Which is your favourite talk ever and how did it change your life?

My favourite talk would have to say when I was invited to give a talk to a lovely group of ladies. The focus of the group was discussing becoming a journalist/author. 

When it ended a woman approached me and told me she had a story for me, and she proceeded to tell me. It was the most inspirational and emotional story I had ever heard. Today, that story is told through my book Blast from the Past.


4. What are the best public speaking tips that have worked for you?

What has worked for me in public speaking - be confident, sincere, capture the listeners' interest.


5. When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

From a young age, I would often be scribbling notes and jotting stories down. My favourite lesson at school was English Language and Literature. 

So, I guess it was always part of me I just didn't act on it until later. It was while working as a journalist that I wanted to try writing a novel and see where that took me. I'm glad I did.


6. Who is your favourite writer and why?

I don't know if I have a favourite writer, but I do like the classics such as "Wuthering Heights", Emily Bronte. Moving on to others such as Jilly Cooper "The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous" but if I was to choose it would have to be Agatha Christie - I do enjoy a good murder mystery.


7. Where does your inspiration lie?

My inspiration comes from the people I have met, their stories and courage to overcome many obstacles that had been overcome to live a better life.


8. Which is your favourite book and why?

Every book I own is my favourite - each unique in its own way. Whether Shakespeare, James Herbert to Agatha Christie - doesn't matter how many times I've read them - each time is like a new story waiting to be discovered within the pages.


- Sandra Doran (Author, Journalist & Speaker)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-doran-5695854b


Interviewed By Pratibha Sahani