Character Interview - Sophie - Part One

 

Sophie walks in at midday. She’s dressed in her work uniform. A grey and black trouser and t-shirt ensemble. Her blonde hair is in a ponytail with bangs that frame her face.

She has pale skin, with a pink English rose undertone. Her eyes are light blue, her chin a little pointed and her lips are pink. She smiles politely as she sits down across from me, her hands clasped in her lap.

She taps her black sneakered foot, waiting for me to start.

ME: I’m going to ask you some basic questions about yourself. I know some will be obvious but please answer anyway.

SOPHIE: Sure. No problem.

ME: Thank you. First question. What is your full name?

SOPHIE: Sophie Hannah Lawrence.

ME: How did your parents decide on your name?

SOPHIE: My father picked it because it was his sister’s name. She died as a young girl.

ME: How tall are you?

SOPHIE: 5 ft 5

ME: What colour is your hair?

SOPHIE: Blonde

ME: And your eyes?

SOPHIE: They’re blue. (She smiles) These are really easy. I expected harder questions.

ME: I’m forming your demographic info at the moment, but they shouldn’t ever get too complicated.

SOPHIE: That’s good. I was nervous.

ME: How much do you weigh?

SOPHIE: Oof, spoke too soon. (She wrinkles her nose but answers anyway) Um… like 10 stone or there abouts.

ME: Your birthday?

SOPHIE: (She shuffles on her seat) It’s in February.

ME: What’s your father’s name?

SOPHIE: Ross

ME: What’s your mother’s name?

SOPHIE: I don’t have one.

ME: What are your grandparents names?

SOPHIE: Beatrice and Edward. I never met them though.

ME: Do you have any siblings?

SOPHIE: (Shakes her head) No.

ME: Where were you born?

SOPHIE: I don’t know. I’m adopted. Nobody knows.

ME: Where do you live now?

SOPHIE: I have a small studio apartment. It’s tiny but (she shrugs) it’s fine.

ME: Do you have any medical problems?

SOHPIE: No

ME: Any distinguishing marks?

SOPHIE: I have a tattoo of birds on my side boob. (she smiles)

ME: Are you religious?

SOPHIE: No

ME: What kind of car do you drive?

SOPHIE: It’s a Peugeot 106. Blue

ME: Do you have any pets?

SOPHIE: No, but I want a guinea pig.

ME: Are you married?

SOPHIE: No.

ME: Thank you, Sophie. That’s the end of part one. I’ll see you for part two.

She sighs, smiles and stands.

SOPHIE: See you later.  

Self Care and Writing

Odds are, if you're a writer, then you probably go out to work too. Hell, even T.S. Eliot had a day job. Whether it's full-time or part-time, working while finding time to write isn't easy and it can be tiring to have all your time allocated. 

When you work and write, keeping up your energy and health is important to consider. So, what exactly is self-care and how do you do it? Read on to find out.

What is Self Care?

In a nutshell, it means taking care of yourself by doing things that strengthen your physical and mental well-being. It's a choice you make and it's different for everyone. Maybe for you it's reading a good book in the bath, or it could be sky-diving out of a plane. It might even be as simple as putting aside your work in progress to write a poem instead. It's whatever brings you joy and improves your mood.

Self care doesn't mean you have to go out seeking adventure. It doesn't mean you have to find a dark room and meditate. It doesn't have to be expensive. It doesn't have to be difficult. 

Why is Self Care Important?

When you're a writer, or artist, or anyone with a side-gig, it means your free time isn't really free. It's already taken up with whatever you're working on. When you have a spare minute, your mind automatically goes to plot-lines and characters. 

The need to be productive all the time can be exhausting, and it can lead to burn-out, depression and anxiety. The good news is that building a self-care routine has proven to reduce stress, while improving your concentration and your energy. 

Mental health is important and by taking care of yourself, you're tackling depression and anxiety. 

How to Care For Yourself

There are different aspects to consider - Physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being - and it doesn't have to be expensive. 

Some simple and cheap ways to look after yourself can include: Going to bed early, taking a walk, watching a movie or listening to music. You could eat your favourite meal. Drink more water. If you enjoy it then do it, and don't feel guilty about not spending every minute being productive, because self-care is productive.

Maybe what you need is to get out of the house and spend time with your friends. Go for some food, have a board game night. Meet your friends for cocktails. 

Do you enjoy puzzles? Do you like spending time with your pet? How about paint-by-numbers? Taking photographs? What do you enjoy, because spending time on whatever it is... that's going to save you from burning out. 

What Works For You

Find the thing that makes you happy. We live in a time where money is short and bills are steep. It's expensive just to live, and that means we work hard for every little thing we have. That means we're tired. 

I have a baby, a dog, a day job and a writing career to nurture, so my idea of self-care is eating Maoam JoyStixx while watching Modern Family in the middle of the night as my baby sleeps on me. It also includes naps on the sofa and walking my dog. 

What is it for you? If you don't know then you're not spending enough time on self-care. 

If you enjoyed reading this article then take a look at my website and find out about my published books and author news. 

   

What's Next? Setbacks and Perseverance

Wings of Passion has been on sale since May, published by Evernight Publishing, and I immediately started to work on a short shifter paranormal romance story while I plot the next book in the Pack Untamed series. I was motivated and had my goals all set out in front of me. But things don't always go as planned and some setbacks are of the best kind. 

Writing Interrupted 

My romance book was released in May, in June I happily found out I was pregnant, and it's been a battle with pregnancy nausea ever since. Even today, six months into the pregnancy I'm lying on the sofa, my computer propped up and I'm trying to get back into the writing routine, but the morning sickness that lasts all day might disappear for days on end before it swings back around. 

My pregnancy was planned and I'm absolutely thrilled so a delay in writing is a small price to pay for something so wonderful, but when it was at its worst writing, updating my website, and posting on social media wasn't even a thought. 

Now it's easing, I'm getting back on track, but I've got a lot of catching up to do, and I'm doing it in the midst of working the day job and organising the house for my little new addition. 

Plots and Schemes

I'm re-establishing goals that passed me by while I had my head in the toilet. I'm getting my notebooks out again. I'm learning about my characters. I'm structuring plots. I'm scheduling time. I'm prioritising. I'm writing again. 

What's Next?

Currently, I'm plotting the second book in the Pack Untamed series, but while I build Calum's story, I'm also writing a short shifter romance story to fill the gap between Wings of Passion and its next book. The short story is in the writing stage, whereas my Pack Untamed book is still in the planning stages. 

I'm just glad to be back to writing and finding my way through my stories. Stay tuned for more updates. 

If you liked this blog then take a look around and read some of my other posts. 

New Release: Wings of Passion - A Shifter Romance

 

How does a romance writer celebrate a book release? Well, I guess that depends on the writer. 

The Real Work Begins

You write your first draft. You complete second. Then however many more you need. Then you revise the book yourself, editing it until it's ready to be submitted to a publisher or agent. It gets accepted and you get more editing to do, this time with help and advice. 

You might think that you've done all you need to do, but unfortunately, you would be mistaken. The writing is the fun part, where it's just you and your characters.

After that, though, you have to face what comes next, because once your work is about to be published, and release day is coming, that means you're onto the marketing part of being a writer, and if you're an introvert like me, that's not the easiest part. Wings of Passion is officially a new release, and I need to share that with the world.

Social Media

When your book is coming out, social media becomes your new best friend. I find my spare time taken up with promotional posts, engagement, chatting to writers and readers. I'm sharing teasers and snippets, bouncing between the social networks. 

I'm trying to let as many people as I possibly can know that Wings of Passion is out now. That my new release is available. I'm trying to find the right hashtags to make lovers of paranormal romance and shifter romance aware that my romance book exists. 

Before I was a romance writer, I underestimated just how much it takes to release a book. 

Blog Posts

I write blog posts because I like sharing my process. I like sharing what's happening, what's going on in my writing life, and what I put into writing. 

Through blog writing, I can also share what I'm working on and when it's available. I can publish book extras and deleted scenes, and behind-the-writing information. 

Celebrate the New Release

So, yeah, just because Wings of Passion is available, and it's a brand-spanking new release, doesn't mean the work is done. 

But more importantly, you wrote a book... People can buy it... You created something special! That needs to be celebrated. 

Me, I like doughnuts, I like prosecco, I like to do a dorky dance worthy of Amy Santiago in Brooklyn 99. (If you don't know, take a look. She's got the moves.) I like a little treat, because before I know it, I'm back in front of a blank screen, working on the second book in the Pack Untamed series. I'm doing it all over again. And I never plan to stop. 

If you enjoyed my blog about Wings of Passion then look around my site for more articles about writing. 

Wings of Passion Release

An exciting day is coming...

The release day for Wings of Passion is happening on May 4th. My shifter romance novel has made it through edits and is available for preorder now. I'm very excited about its release. 

Published by Evernight Publishing, it's the first instalment of my new shifter series Pack Untamed. 

A Paranormal Romance

Sienna falls out of the sky and into Adam’s life...

She’s a shifter with the ability to turn into a golden eagle and she’s fleeing danger, but with an injured wing, she crashes onto the balcony of Adam, a man who likes to be in control.

Adam’s orderly world is turned upside down with the arrival of the golden eagle, and now that he has her, it’s clear that control is overrated. If it means keeping Sienna, then he’ll embrace the wildness.

Once they commit, Sienna and Adam will do whatever it takes to keep each other safe, and with the hunters determined to capture Sienna, that might not be easy. To stay together, they’ll have to learn to rely on each other and embrace the bond growing between them.

Romance Novel Settings

I've loved writing Wings of Passion. It's the first romance book I've written that is obviously set in Britain. The first half takes place in London, the second half in the Peak District. Both are parts of the UK that are important to me. 

London is an amazing city, and I've set the story in my favourite area Tower Hill. If I'm in London I have to go there and I have to visit St Katherine's Dock, and I have to have dinner at Butler's Wharf. Otherwise, I feel like I've missed out. 

Derbyshire is where I live. With the beautiful countryside of the Peak District national park. With wild peaks and moorland, there are picturesque villages nestled among them. There are walks and bike rides, and perfect surroundings for my dog and me.

Future Characters

There are plenty of characters in this series whose stories are waiting to be told. They're demanding their own romance books be written and released, and as a romance writer, I'm just here to do their bidding. The plotting is already happening. 

Wings of Passion Release Day

Mark your calendars for May 4th, and not just for Star Wars day, but for Wings of Passion release day. Or you can preorder the shifter romance now to read Sienna and Adam's love story. 

For updates and information on my other books, you can visit me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or go directly to my website, and reach out to me there. 

 

Don't Be a Fool

Today is April Fool’s Day! I should probably play a prank on you but I’m not going to.

The Downside 

As someone who was bullied at school, pranks aren’t something I’m ever a fan of. I’ve had a lot of cruel tricks played on me that were passed off as a joke, meaning if I didn’t laugh along with them, then I was uptight or miserable.

 

But what’s so funny about humiliating someone or making them look like a fool? Is there anyone who really enjoys April Fool’s Day?

 

You Do You

I’m not here to rain on anyone’s parade. If you’re in a social circle where this is something you like, then sure, go nuts, prank your friends, but otherwise, my one piece of advice is to think before you trick.

 

Don’t go into it blindly, thinking that everyone will find it hilarious. Are you doing it for the right reason or is your motive a little meaner than you realise? Can the target of your prank handle everyone laughing at them or are you just tearing someone down who is already low? Are you in the right environment for the type of April Fool’s jest you’re planning?

 

Just think about it first. There was a time in my life when someone playing an April Fool’s joke on me would have torn me down, and even now I suspect I would wonder why the person chose me to trick? Because they don’t like me or because they think I’m fun?

Happy April Fool's Day

Like I said, I’m not there to destroy the parts of the day people find fun. I’m just here to advise that you ensure you’re all on the same page.

But if everyone you know and plan to play a trick on is down with pranking, then have yourself an excellent April Fool's Day. 

If you liked this article then take a look at some of my other posts or visit my website. 

Starting Again

Wings of Passion is in edits, and I'm starting a new story. 

I'm at that point where Wings of Passion is in edits at Evernight Publishing, so I am starting a new shifter story. The plan is for this one to be a short, but then I plan that a lot, and then they often end up longer. 

I'm excited that I've got my artwork for Wings of Passion and I can't wait to start sharing teasers and promos for the paranormal romance. 

As a romance writer, though, I don't want to wait to finish this story before I start the next, so I'm in the plotting stages. 

I'll be keeping myself busy writing, but if you want to stay up to date with what I'm doing, visit my social media pages or my website.