A Brief Autobiography of Lila Hopkins
I don't remember how old I was, but still in the elementary grades, when I asked my mother for a tablet so I could write down some "stories". At that time, I was not thinking of creating, only about recording stories that had inspired me.
I was the oldest of four children in a Baptist pastor's home in New Mexico. My father was a powerful preacher and a best selling writer for the Souther Baptist Convention. I remember waking up many mornings at four or five hearing my father typing away (with two fingers). I learned early that writing took lots of time and dedication.
The dedication of my first novel demonstrates my parents' attitude about my writing. "To my father, Harold E. Dye, who told me to go write a book; and to my mother, Ina, who always knew I would."
I begain writing for publication in high school, mostly in denominational publications and newspapers. Nothing prepared me for the challenge of finding a place with a national publishing firm and I might have become very discouraged had I not had the example of perserverence from my father.
When I went away to Hardin-Simons University, I dreamed of a happy marriage and writing for inspirational presses. The marriage came first - to Richard Hopkins on August 16, 1950 and it was far more successful than the writing carreer for many years. I dedicated my first novel to him. "For Richard, my gentle man of faith."
A Baptist Pastor, army and hospital chaplain, Richard has given me the fulfilment I dreamed of. He has also been a staunch supporter of my writing.
