Feature Friday: Sophie Jordan

Sophie Jordan grew up in the Texas hill country where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she's also the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Avon historical romances. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she's not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes and Diet cherry Coke preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with true-crime and reality-TV shows. Sophie also writes paranormal romances under the name Sharie Kohler.

Interview:

A.L.:
What piece of advice would you give to a budding author?

Sophie:
Read, read and read. Seriously, that’s where it all begins. Read in your genre and out of your genre.

Also, find a writing group – there are several throughout the country. Either online or a group that holds meetings. Being around other writers is not only motivating but an endless source of information and resources.

A.L.:
What's your favorite book and why?

Sophie: 
Tough one! This changes weekly … there are just so many books. Hm. Maybe … Night by Elie Wiesel. I taught this book, and learned something new from it every time I read it.

A.L.:
Where did you get the idea for Uninvited/

Sophie: 
One day I was watching some kids play during my toddler’s gymnastics class. This one little boy was always so aggressive. Every week he hurt other kids in the class … and the question popped in my head: “Huh, wonder if that kid is going to be a serial killer? Is this where it begins….”

I was only being half serious with myself, but just like that. Bam! In a blink, the idea for UNINVITED appeared in my head.
I've always been fascinated with the nature/nurture argument. Are people born evil or do they become evil? This book explores that.

A.L.:
Did you hit any snags while writing Uninvited?  What were they and how did you fix them?

Sophie: 
Oh, every book I’ve written had its challenges. UNINVITED might have been the hardest because it deals with such tough themes. But mostly, just getting up and writing every day is the challenge. Especially when you could be reading or watching TV! ;)

A.L.:
Which one of the characters in Uninvited is your favorite and why?

Sophie: 
My protagonist, Davy. Just because I’m in her head so much.

A.L.:
Can you tell us a little bit about your journey as an author?

Sophie: 
Well. I signed with my agent in 2006 after writing for 2 years. Two weeks later she sold my book to Harper Collins. Eight years later, I’ve written over twenty books and I’m still with the same agent and publisher. I’ve very fortunate to still be with the same agent and editor. It’s not always that way for an author, and I’m very lucky.

In 2008, I started writing YA in addition to romance. I stayed with the same publisher for my YAs, but write them for the children’s imprint of my publishing house.

A.L.:
What are you working on now?  Sequel?  Something new?

Sophie: 
I’m finishing up a historical romance and about to dive into the final revisions on the sequel to UNINVITED. Following that, I’ll be starting my third new adult novel in my Ivy Chronicles series.

A.L.:
Did you do a lot of research when writing Uninvited?

Sophie: 
Actually, yes … with the help of google! ;) I did look up a lot of crime statistics and data.I also watched some documentaries and read some articles on serial killers and serial killers among children.

A.L.:
How do you think you'd react if you discovered you carried the HTS gene?

Sophie: 
Uh-oh … well, you should read UNINVITED because that’s pretty much what I do! I tried to imagine how I would react and put myself in Davy’s shoes. There’s a lot of shock and denial going on  … and coming to terms with your own fears and prejudices. 

A.L.:
When you taught English, what was your favorite topic to teach?

Sophie: 
I enjoyed the Arthurian unit in our curriculum … knights, the code of chivalry. LOVE it! It overlapped a lot with my love of that era of history. And hey … I got to show the kids one of my favorite BBS productions, Ivanhoe. Can’t go wrong there!

The Giveaway:
Sophie is giving away a signed copy of FIRELIGHT (US.)

Firelight:  A hidden truth.  Mortal enemies.  Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki, a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away;if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.
Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

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