Interview With Sophie King
I recently had the chance to have a chat with the wonderful Sophie King. Sophie is the author of women’s novels and short stories. She has also written a great selection of non-fiction books too! Sophie is a member of the RNA and has won numerous awards for her writing.
I was super excited to have a chance to ask Sophie some questions about her writing!
What is your favourite part about writing?
Not knowing what is going to happen. I know my characters well but I don’t know what they are going to do until they “tell” me, in my head. Often they do surprising things. I also love being in my own self-made world to get away from the real one outside.
Can you tell us a little about your novels?
They all deal with day to day dramas that most families encounter – or may do in the future. They are also multi-character viewpoint novels which means that I have four main characters who each have a story to tell. They are set in the same framework. Love Is A Secret, for instance, is about three mums and a dad who join a parenting website to help solve their problems but find it’s not as confidential as they thought. The School Run is about several parents on the same route to school in the morning – as well as a mother seeking revenge for a terrible past crime.
What are you most proud of?
Carrying on writing while being a mum at home. It was hard work, though, and I’ve dropped several balls.
Have you ever based any of the settings on places you’ve been?
Yes. It’s hard not to. Now I live by the sea, I find it creeping in all over the place.
If you could go anywhere on a summer holiday, where would you choose?
I’ve always wanted to go riding in South America. I used to ride as a child and then took it up again a few years ago. But I gave it up because I lost my nerve. I think a South American trip might help me stop being frightened because I would be in awe of the scenery. On the other hand, I might fall off because I’d probably be taking notes at the same time for a novel…
If you could meet three other authors for dinner (dead or alive) who would you choose?
Dickens; Maggie O’Farrell; and Pepys. Very different, I know – but that’s what makes a dinner party work. On the other hand, once they’d tasted my food, we’d probably get take-out.
What is the best thing about being an author?
Creating your own world. Doing what you’ve always wanted to do (in my case). Giving literary birth to people, who feel so real that when I pass a place I’ve set a book in (like Oxford), I expect to see Caroline from Love Is a Secret, coming round the corner.
Quick Fire Questions
What is your:
favourite colour?
Blue
favourite song?
‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ by Simon and Garfunkel or ‘I’m Your Man’ by Leonard Cohen.
favourite book?
A book of sayings that my mother left me when she died twenty six years ago. It’s called Daily Strength For Daily Needs compiled by Mary W. Tileston. I try to read one a night. They’re very uplifting and they also make me think about what is important in life.
favourite word?
Please. “Manners maketh dog” as I’m always telling my Lab/Springer.
favourite food?
Smoked salmon
favourite season?
Spring. It’s such a relief.
favourite tv show?
Currently The Good Wife
favourite author?
Difficult. At the moment it’s possibly Rachel Joyce
favourite animal?
Dog
favourite day of the week?
Sunday. I love the peace I get from Evensong.
HUGE thanks to Sophie for taking the time out of writing to be interviewed.
I was super excited to have a chance to ask Sophie some questions about her writing!
What is your favourite part about writing?
Not knowing what is going to happen. I know my characters well but I don’t know what they are going to do until they “tell” me, in my head. Often they do surprising things. I also love being in my own self-made world to get away from the real one outside.
Can you tell us a little about your novels?
They all deal with day to day dramas that most families encounter – or may do in the future. They are also multi-character viewpoint novels which means that I have four main characters who each have a story to tell. They are set in the same framework. Love Is A Secret, for instance, is about three mums and a dad who join a parenting website to help solve their problems but find it’s not as confidential as they thought. The School Run is about several parents on the same route to school in the morning – as well as a mother seeking revenge for a terrible past crime.
What are you most proud of?
Carrying on writing while being a mum at home. It was hard work, though, and I’ve dropped several balls.
Have you ever based any of the settings on places you’ve been?
Yes. It’s hard not to. Now I live by the sea, I find it creeping in all over the place.
If you could go anywhere on a summer holiday, where would you choose?
I’ve always wanted to go riding in South America. I used to ride as a child and then took it up again a few years ago. But I gave it up because I lost my nerve. I think a South American trip might help me stop being frightened because I would be in awe of the scenery. On the other hand, I might fall off because I’d probably be taking notes at the same time for a novel…
If you could meet three other authors for dinner (dead or alive) who would you choose?
Dickens; Maggie O’Farrell; and Pepys. Very different, I know – but that’s what makes a dinner party work. On the other hand, once they’d tasted my food, we’d probably get take-out.
What is the best thing about being an author?
Creating your own world. Doing what you’ve always wanted to do (in my case). Giving literary birth to people, who feel so real that when I pass a place I’ve set a book in (like Oxford), I expect to see Caroline from Love Is a Secret, coming round the corner.
Quick Fire Questions
What is your:
favourite colour?
Blue
favourite song?
‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ by Simon and Garfunkel or ‘I’m Your Man’ by Leonard Cohen.
favourite book?
A book of sayings that my mother left me when she died twenty six years ago. It’s called Daily Strength For Daily Needs compiled by Mary W. Tileston. I try to read one a night. They’re very uplifting and they also make me think about what is important in life.
favourite word?
Please. “Manners maketh dog” as I’m always telling my Lab/Springer.
favourite food?
Smoked salmon
favourite season?
Spring. It’s such a relief.
favourite tv show?
Currently The Good Wife
favourite author?
Difficult. At the moment it’s possibly Rachel Joyce
favourite animal?
Dog
favourite day of the week?
Sunday. I love the peace I get from Evensong.
HUGE thanks to Sophie for taking the time out of writing to be interviewed.