Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a self-published author of a NA/YA novel, Bewilderments of the Eyes, and a poetry collection called Cold Sober. I’ve been writing since I was small, but never dreamed I could make a career out of it until switching my major five or six times in college and realizing writing is the only thing I want to do.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Cold Sober is the name of my latest release. I love to try my hand at multiple genres to challenge myself and see what I’m capable of, and I’ve always half-heartedly partaken in poetry over the years. One of the more significant events in my life has been falling in love for the first time, and I found that poems, as opposed to narratives, novels, or essays, was the best way for me to express that journey. So, when I found myself with a handful of love poems one day I decided to commit to the project.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m really only successful at writing at night. If I try to sit down and get some writing done in the morning or midday it’s usually a pretty futile effort. My sister has also alerted me to the fact that I write in odd positions-crouching on a chair, legs extended on the table, sitting in the splits, etc.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m particularly inspired by John Green, Rainbow Rowell, and Stephen Chbosky. There’s something extremely honest and vulnerable about their writing that really strikes a chord with me. Storytelling is about transparency, and that can be difficult to do for many reasons, but there are several authors out there that are honest at all costs and I respect that. And then there are generally inspiring books like Eat, Pray, Love and #GirlBoss that just put me in a “conquer the world” mood.
What are you working on now?
I’m actually working on my most difficult undertaking to date, which is a trilogy along the lines of dystopian novels. I never planned on writing something of this magnitude, but the story just kind of happened and I just go where they take me. I don’t know what will happen with this project, but I intend to see it out to its end. Since it is such an all-consuming and extensive project, I am also putting together a couple more poetry collections when I need a break.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still doing a lot of learning where marketing is concerned. Instagram is my go-to social media platform, and most of my promoting is done via my author account. I use Twitter as well, but have found that word of mouth is powerful, too. Just talking to people is one of the best thing I can do to promote my books. Making connections with others and investing in relationships.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. Don’t force yourself, don’t focus on sales until you have to. It’s true that you should be building an author platform before you’ve even started a project, but all of the business aspects can really get the best of you sometimes and at the end of the day, if you haven’t written anything then the business of it is irrelevant. Others won’t understand, they’ll be doubtful, but if you have a story then just tell it. Know that someone, somewhere, is going to benefit from what you have to say.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It sounds cliché and super generic, but I always have to remind myself to write first and edit later. In the beginning of my writing career, I had a real issue with perfectionism and it stopped me from progressing. As soon as I let go of that control and just started typing with abandon, the process was more enjoyable and more successful.
What are you reading now?
I’m in the middle of several books. I’m finishing up King’s Cage, the third book in the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard and on the Road by John Kerouac. The Collected Journals of Sylvia Plath is an ongoing read.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to really focus on my latest fictional novel. There is a chance that one or two poetry books sneak out before I’ve finished my novel, but I’ve been dancing around this novel for a long time and it’s time to get serious about it.
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?
I would take The Perks of Being A Wallflower, Eat, Pray, Love, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Maybe. One of the Harry Potters), and The Collected Poems of Sylvia Plath.
Author Websites and Profiles
Theresa Sopko Website
Theresa Sopko Amazon Profile
Theresa Sopko’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account
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