City author to take on Lord of the Rings

Norwich author Denise Channing with her book, Dance of the Goblins.

23 January 2007 09:16

Popular fantasy writer Denise Channing is hoping her tale of conflict between goblins and humans will one day rival the multi-million pound trilogy Lord of the Rings - both on screen and off.

The 50-year-old from Norwich, whose pen name is Jaq D Channing, has begun work on turning her debut novel, Dance of the Goblins, into a feature-length film.

So confident is she of the book's impending success, she has set up her own production company, Goblin Films, and has already snapped up British actor Kevin McNally, star of Hollywood blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean, in the leading role.

It is hoped other stars will soon follow and with the film being shot in both Norwich and London, Denise is looking to source local talent as well.

She said: “This is a British film and I am trying to stick to British actors. Though the book is set in London, Norwich lends itself to being a film set.

“I am hoping it will also help promote the film industry in Britain and especially the east.

“All the top five films in Britain last year were fantasy but they have to be well done to succeed.”

Dance of the Goblins tells the story of what happens when the human and goblin worlds collide.

A goblin sighting and human ignorance spark conflict between the species and only one man can prevent the destruction of both worlds as he is drawn into the rhythm of the goblins' dance.

Denise, who was born in California before moving to Norwich 10 years ago and has written eight books on the occult, said: “I decided I wanted to be a writer when I was 14. The inspiration for this book came to me while I was involved in some activism during an election.

“None of the groups co-operated and when I was walking home one day one of the lines in the first chapter came to me - We are not like you. We do not glory in having power over our own kind, or imagining we do.

“By the time I got home I had the first chapter formed and the book only took me four months to write. I just couldn't stop writing it and wrote in the morning and when I got home from work.”

Denise said that because the book came to her chapter by chapter, as if in scenes, the film will closely mirror the novel.

If the film is a success, she hopes it could do for Norwich what Lord of the Rings did for New Zealand, where it was shot, helping to transform it into one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

If you are a budding Norwich actor looking for you big break, or for more information about Dance of the Goblins, go to www.goblinfilmsltd.com

Are you embarking on a major project? Call reporter Dominic Chessum on 01603 772428 or e-mail dominic.chessum@archant.co.uk

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