Interview: Chelsea Fine, author of Sophie & Carter + A Giveaway!

Title: Sophie & Carter
Author: Chelsea Fine
Publisher: Acacia Publishing, Inc. 128 Pages (June 20th, 2011)
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Synopsis: While other high school seniors are dreaming about their futures, Sophie and Carter are just trying to make it through each day. Carter is overwhelmed by issues at home as he struggles to support his mother. Meanwhile, next door neighbor Sophie is left to care for her three younger siblings in place of their absent and troubled mother. All that holds these two best friends together is each other, and knowing that each night they'll sit together on Sophie's front porch swing and escape from reality, if just for awhile. But as their relationship reaches a turning point and high school graduation nears, will their friendship become something more?

First off, can you tell everyone, in your own words what Sophie & Carter is about?

Sophie & Carter is about two high school seniors who grow up next door to one another and help each other through some tough stuff. Even though their family lives are pretty damaged, they find hope and, eventually, love in one another.

Can you tell us 5 things about Sophie and 5 things about Carter that we don’t know?

Sophie:

-She’s always late to class
-She’s raising her younger siblings
-She’s small, but tough
-Her nemesis is an annoying girl named Whitney
-Carter is her hero

Carter:

-He’s got swagger
-His mom is crazy...like, literally
-He loves coffee
-His nemesis is a guy named Evan
-He’s protective of Sophie

What is your favorite part about writing?

By far, dialogue! I love, love, love to write conversations. Probably because I talk a LOT in real life. :) There’s something what we say out loud that’s so mysterious and transparent at the same time, ya know? Sometimes we say things we don’t mean because we feel something we can’t describe. And that’s what I love to develop; the hidden emotion. ….And also, I like to write sarcastic characters. Because it’s fun to be snarky.

What was the last Young Adult book you’ve read that you loved, can’t talk enough about and that you think everyone should read? And what was it that makes this title stick out to you?

Even though I read it a long time ago, I think Hunger Games was the last book that had my mind spinning after I finished it. I know everyone loves Hunger Games, so maybe this is an unoriginal answer, but I was just…captivated by the story. Especially the reality TV part. People sitting at home watching kids compete to the death? Aghhhhhh!! It totally had me hooked. I was crying by page 22, panicking by page 170, and cheering by the end. I was a complete basket case! Any book that makes you smile on one page and have a heart attack on the next is a must-read. :)

From what I’ve read about you on your site, you are a very creative person. Can you maybe let us see something you’ve painted? Just anything that you’d be willing to let us take a peek at and tell us a little bit about it?

I love to paint! Lately, I’ve been painting a lot of children’s room murals—which is SO much fun because I get to create magical pictures for kids to get lost in. :) Here are some pics...one is a my own design, and the other is Never Neverland.

I watched a recent Vlog of yours and you mentioned working on the first book in a paranormal series? Anything you can share about it and when we might get a chance to check it out?

My Archer Series is a about two brothers—who are supernatural, but aren’t vampires, werewolves, or angels—in love with the same girl. (Because that's, like, my favorite love triangle ever!) This girl has been cursed to die, however, so the brothers are on a mission to save her from fate.

In my series, there’s a kissing festival…a best friend obsessed with fashion…a mysterious symbol…several assassins…an amnesiac…some wicked archery…and, of course, an on-going love triangle.

I plan on making it a trilogy and I'm hoping to have the first book out by December. *fingers crossed*

You also mentioned a sequel to Sophie & Carter. Did you know while writing it that your characters had more to say or was it something that came to you soon after finishing what is now the beginning of their story?

Honestly, I never planned on writing a sequel for Sophie & Carter. But my readers have been incredibly responsive to the book and many have asked me to continue the story. I really battled against it at first because Sophie & Carter was really emotional for me to write, and I was afraid to jump back into their heads. But I sat down one day to see if I had any more to tell and it turns out I do. So a sequel there will be!

And lastly, what’s one thing you hope people will take away from Sophie & Carter after reading?

HOPE!  I want readers to feel like they witnessed true love unfold in Sophie and Carter’s lives, but I also want them to finish the story with a feeling of hope.

Thanks again for stopping by Chelsea! I hope you’ll pay us another visit soon? Maybe… with the release of your next book?

Absolutely! I would be honored! :)



Find Chelsea online:

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Enter to win a FINISHED copy of

SOPHIE & CARTER!

Rules and how to enter:

Please fill out the form below. No entries in comments will count, though comments are ALWAYS loved and welcomed :)
You MUST be at least 13 years old to enter.
Giveaway is open US/Canada only, sorry!
Giveaway ends: October 7th, 2011

A HUGE thank you goes out to Chelsea and Acacia Publishing for

the copy provided in this giveaway.

Good luck to everyone who enters. If you have any questions please check

my policy page or feel free to email with any questions.

Winner will be chosen via Random.org unless otherwise stated.

*I am not compensated at all for any of the links within this post.