Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written two books, both in the Class Mom Mystery series, but I have a few more in the works. I’ve been writing short stories for as long as I can remember, but “The Principal of the Matter” was my first novel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is the second Class Mom Mystery, titled “Work Yourself to Death.” It was inspired in part by my character, Meredith Knight, who found that being a stay at home mom left her thirsty for a little extra excitement in her life. After getting mixed up in a murder, it was hard for her to return to her every day life. In addition to my fictional world, this book also grew out of my own experiences feeling pulled in two directions: both towards home and my family, and towards developing my career. It’s a hard balance!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t write at all for a long time and then I write fast! I work out all the details and bits of dialog while doing other things like running or driving (sometimes in the shower too!), and then hurry to get it all written down as soon as I think I have it right.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
In terms of my current series, Agatha Christie is undoubtedly my biggest influence, but there’s a lot of Sophia Kinsella in there too. The truth is, I read everything: mysteries, science fiction, fantasy, YA, and classics. In addition to the queens of mystery and chick lit, I love Margaret Atwood, Kazuo Ishiguro, Edith Wharton, and E. M. Forster.
What are you working on now?
The third book in my Class Mom series. In this one, Meredith tries to get away from the stresses of family life and the murders that seem to pile up around her, but finds that a trip to the beach with her girlfriends isn’t quite as stress-free as she had hoped.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still working on figuring that out!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write for yourself, not an audience. Don’t get hung up on how people will receive your book. Once you let go of that, it gets a lot easier.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just write. I met Lee Smith at a conference a few years ago and she told me that the best advice she could give an author is to just start writing, and stick with it. Sometimes it won’t be good, but it won’t get better if you don’t keep trying.
What are you reading now?
A book of short stories by Rion Amilcar Scott called “The World Doesn’t Require You” and re-reading Agatha Christie’s “The Clocks.”
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to stick with Meredith a while longer, but I have an idea for a second series about two best friends in the 1950s that I will probably start working on as soon as I’ve fleshed out a few more details.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Unfair question!
Today my list is probably The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro, The Comforters by Muriel Spark, the biggest book of Miss Marple stories I can find, and something I’ve always wanted to read and haven’t got around to yet. I’ll have to think on that one.
Author Websites and Profiles
Sophia Clark Website
Sophia Clark Amazon Profile