Sophia Bennett Interview

This is finally the big interview you've all been waiting on! I'm so delighted to say that Sophia Bennett will be do an interview on this post.

So what are we waiting for? Let's dive right in!


1. What inspired you to write and where did you get the inspiration for your first book?

I've always wanted to be a writer, inspired by the stories I loved to read when I was six or seven. It took me many years of working at other jobs, though, before I had the courage to try and write my first book. I wrote three detective stories before I had the idea for Threads - my first story that got published. Threads was about a teenager living in London who had a secret talent: she was a genius fashion designer. She had no money or opportunities, so her friends had to step in to help her. The idea came to me because I've always been fascinated by costume and fashion. The story won a competition in The Times, which is how I got published. You can read more about it on my website: www.sophiabennett.com

2. When you were writing the Threads Series did you write anything else?

No I didn't. I'm a one-at-a-time person. I admire authors who can keep lots of different projects going simultaneously, but I'm not one of them. The idea I'm working on becomes an obsession. It's all I can think about.

3. How do you write and plan out your ideas?

First of all it's jottings in notebooks. Then I get the idea for the shape of the story, and write it out over 3 to 6 pages. I rarely change dramatically from the arc of my first big plan, although most of the details may change! Plots come easily, but I find that getting the characters right is much harder. For the book I'm writing now, I've experimented with using a scrapbook for ideas, and a big board of Post-It notes to map out the main scenes of the story. Both have proved really useful. I also use mood boards. They're such fun to do. All you need is a cork board, some pins, and some inspiration ...

4. Your new book, The Castle, is a different genre from your last 5 books. Did you find it challenging?

Yes, I found it very hard to write. The story was always clear in my mind, but getting the characters right, and finding the voice for Peta Jones took me a long time. Every book is harder than the last. 

5. You Don't Know Me & The Look targets very serious issues. How did you fabcriate a very serious issue into a fictional book that teenagers would buy and what was your initial idea for each of the books?

I'm generally inspired to write by things I love and hate. I love creativity - making music, clothes and art. I hate cruelty and suffering - so I've written about child slavery, child soldiers, greedy politicians, cancer and cyberbullying. 

Yes, it's hard to make both of these extremes work in a story! It usually takes me a year to write each book. I've talked about the different inspirations on my website. They come to me quite quickly, but making them entertaining reads is what takes the time. Which is why I'm always so pleased when a reviewer says he or she has enjoyed the writing style. It takes a lot of effort, but it's joyful when it works.

6. You've just finished your first ever book tour. Can you tell us what that was like?

Actually it was my sixth! I did my first book tour for Threads in 2009, when I was a debut author, and loved it. My favourite part of it was getting schoolchildren to create their own stories, based on a game my family used to play. Each person would shout out a word at random and you would have to tell a story using all of the words. I loved playing it myself and it was amazing to see what the schoolkids came up with. 

This last tour has been wonderful. I've encountered so many wonderful students at so many schools, and they're always engaged, asking great questions. It's clear that there are lots of keen readers out there, and a lot of budding writers. I love talking to a room full of people, sharing my love for what I do. I hope some of them are inspired to do it too, and I get the impression from some of the lovely emails I've received that they are. 

7. Any tips for budding writers?

Many. The big ones are the obvious ones: read as much and as widely as you can; and write a little every day. Also, finish things - you'll be so proud of what you achieve if you do. I've collected lots more from many of my favourite writers on the website, in my writing tips section. Check it out! 

Quickfire Questions

Favourite Drink in Summer?

Probably Pimms. Frozen raspberries make very good ice cubes.

 

Favourite Drink in Winter?

Nespresso. If it's good enough for George Clooney ... I've also developed a recent liking for apricot tea.

 

Pet Peeves?

Trolling. It's more than a peeve. There's too much unkindness on the internet, forgetting that people are as sensitive to what's written about them as they are to what they hear face to face. Be kind.

Favourite Talk you've done with another writer?

Oh, that's an interesting one. My favourite talk was one that wasn't supposed to happen. It was at the Hay Festival, years ago. Francesca Simon was supposed to do a panel with Patrick Ness and Julia Eccleshare, but a lot of us were in the pub the night before and they suggested we join in. In the end there were about six of us, including a writer who hadn't even been published yet. We were brilliantly chaired by Jonathan Douglas, head of the Literacy Trust, and asked some great questions by teen readers in the audience, such as 'What do you do after you've just read the best book you know you'll ever read?' Everyone was generous about letting each other answer, and the audience loved it too. Years later, it still stands out. I'd love to do something like it again. 

 

 

It's been lovely having Sophia here! Hopefully you are now wanting to get your hands on one of her amazing books which are:

You can check out Sophia on her facebook,website or twitter. She even writes a blog about her adventures!

Hope you enjoyed this post. Comment below if you think I should do more interviews.

See you soon,

Lucy xx