~
Sky: Thank you for visiting us here at the Booknatics
today! For those not familiar with you yet, would you like to tell them a
little about yourself?
Sofia: My name is Sofia Grey. I write contemp and PNR, in
several different series, and my first book (a short story) was published in
January last year. I’m addicted to wine, chocolate and coffee, and firmly
believe you can never have too many books. This is probably why my Kindle
crawls along at the speed of an arthritic snail.
Sky: Oh, we're most definitely going to get along juuuust fine here. *giggles*
Sky: How did the idea
for this book come about?
Sofia: I love the concept of time travel, and had bounced
ideas around in my head for years, before I finally started work on Lila’s
Wolf. It was intended to be a short & fluffy story, with a series that
focused on people travelling through time sampling different lovers. Once my
characters spoke to me though, it rapidly became clear this was a much darker
story, and I’m glad I listened to them.
Sky: I am sure the other concept would have been just as brilliant, but I am thankful to have met Jared!
Sky: When did you realize you wanted to be a
writer? Were there any specific inspirations, such as an author and or book?
Sofia: I started reading early, amassing a
book collection with my pocket money, and in my head I’ve always been creating
stories and characters. There was no blinding flash of realization though, it’s
just something I knew I would do.
Sky: What was the hardest thing you dealt
with during the writing process of your first story?
Sofia: You mean apart from being convinced it was a
best-seller and would bring me fame and fortune, and then being disappointed
when everyone rejected it? There was a practical issue, in that I lost my soft
copy of the manuscript, and had to retype it from scratch.
Sky: Oh no!
Sofia: This was probably
ten years after I’d first written it. However, like a good cheese, my writing
had matured, and I ended up keeping maybe half of it, and rewriting the rest.
The exciting news is that after multiple rewrites,
and enough rejections to fill a large folder, this first book is finally coming
out in early 2015. It’s called Pole Position, and is a dark contemp romance.
Sky: I admire your dedication! I also feel as though many aspiring writers can find inspiration in your hard work and perseverance. Sounds like us fans have another brilliant book to look forward to!
Sky: Have you learned
anything new about yourself during the writing process of your books?
Sofia: I think like most authors, writing fills a void for
me, one that I didn’t even know was there. It’s hard to explain, but writing
acts like a valve for my emotions. If I’m angry, or scared, or upset, I can
channel it into my story.
Sky: That explains one of my favorite parts about the power of your writing; there's a real sense of raw emotion in your characters that had me constantly feeling everything they felt.
Sky: Do you have a
preferred time or place where you feel more comfortable writing?
Sofia: Since I work full time, I have limited hours to
actually write, and so I try to use my commuting time – two hours on the train
every day. With my earbuds in, a flask of coffee beside me, and laptop on my
knees, I use that time for writing. Luckily I sit with a bunch of regulars, who
are used to my antisocial ways. It’s kinda hard writing sex scenes on the train
though, so I save those for late at night when everyone is asleep, and I don’t
have any interruptions.
Sky: *laughing* I can imagine you'd turn those regulars into admirers if they ever saw the naughty that happens between the pages of your novels!
Sky: When the ultimate
enemy, Writer’s Block, strikes, is there anything special you do to cure it?
Sofia: Gah! Sometimes I take it as a signal from my
subconscious that I need to take a break, and I’ll put the manuscript down for
a couple of days, and just read and watch movies instead. After that, if I’m
still stuck, the two things that unlock it for me are walking on the beach, and
driving my car.
There’s something about driving that makes all the
ideas come pouring out – and leaving me desperate to make sure I remember it
all! I swear I create the best dialogue when I’m driving. Shame I forget half
the details by the time I get to write it down.
Sky: If you ever need a silent passenger to assist you in jotting everything down, I'll work for free--I wouldn't mind a drive around gorgeous NZ! LOL!
Sky: When you’re not
busy concocting brilliant fantasy novels, what is it you love to do to pass
time?
Sofia: Listen to rock music, eat chocolate, and drink
coffee (day) or wine (night). I also read obsessively, collect shoes, and bake
chocolate brownie to share with my friends.
Sky: *drools* Now I want to head over there even more! I'll be sure to bring brand-spanking new shoes as a gift in return *laughs*
Sky: Are there any inspirations that come to
mind when you create your characters?
Sofia: I like to have a visual inspiration before I start
work writing them. I’ve been known to spend hours on Pinterest looking for the
exact image that makes me go, Yeah,
that’s the one.
Sky: I am always finding an excuse to go on Pinterest myself! Coincidentally, I was browsing Pinterest for a fitting image of Jared to use on the banners for today's blitz ;D
Sky: If you were
not a writer, what would your dream job be?
Sofia: My first ever job was working in a library, and I
loved it. Surrounded by books all day, it was damn near perfect. Aside from that,
if I could somehow wangle a job quality checking male models for photo shoots,
I would consider that. It’d be a tough job, but you know, someone has to do it... * grin *
Sky: Oh lord, if you ever land a job like that, I'd hope you put a good word in for me--I'll bring the baby oil.
Sky: The
million-dollar question: If you were to be offered a deal for “Lila’s Wolf” to
become a movie, would you accept? If so, who would your dream cast be?
Sofia: Does anyone ever say NO to this?
This is the kind of question I could obsess over
for hours – days – and never be satisfied. Pass!
Sky: *laughs* Thank goodness for Pinterest!
Sky: In regards to another series you have
published with wolf shifters, would you say wolves are your favorite animal?
Sofia: Actually, cats are my favourite animals, as
pets, but I adore wolves for shifters.
Raw power, strength and all those yummy alpha-male qualities.
Sky: If you could have your very own pet
wolf, what would his or her name be?
Sofia: Hmmm... Jensen (Ackles) - I’d like to have my own, tame, Jensen Ackles
* grin *
Sky: Another Ackles fan in the house! *high five*
He approves! ^
Sky: If you could travel to any time and
place in the world, where would it be, and why?
Sofia: Oh, so many choices... Maybe Stonehenge when it was
being constructed and see what it looked like when it was new? Or back in time
to watch Queen at their height, with the late, great Freddie Mercury singing.
Sky: Lovely choices! Makes me wonder what's next in store for Jared and Lila once they're back in operation :D
Sky: The ever-favorite
question here at the Booknatics: Who is your book boyfriend?
Sofia: This is variable, depending on mood, but my top 3
would be:
- Dmitri Belikov
(from the Vampire Academy series)
- Judd Lauren (from
the Psy/Changeling series)
- Alexander Belov /
Barrington from The Bronze Horseman
I’d never get tired of these * happy smile *
Sky: You've got fantastic taste, my dear! Dmitri is definitely on the top of my list as well *giggles*
Sky: And lastly, do you have any writing advice for other aspiring authors?
Sofia: It’s a cliché, but write, write, and
write some more. When you finish a novel, start work on the next. And the next
after that.
What helped me more than anything
though, was finding myself a critique partner – someone to objectively critique
my work as I wrote it, and tell me the truth about my writing. Friends and
family have a tendency to tell you it’s wonderful, and it can take an outsider
to be brutally honest.
Thank you for the interview, it was
great fun – and thank you for featuring me on your blog today
Mwah! Mwah!
Sky: I've probably said it a thousand times already, but that's just how thankful I am to be apart of your big day! You are inspiring and a true talent. I can't wait to see what's in store for all of us who adore you and your worlds very much.Thank you!!! mwah!
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