Hi Sophia and thanks so much for coming to my blog! I’m
super excited to have you here and have a bazillion questions about you, your
debut novel SHADOW OF DECEPTION, and the cause you’re donating all your first
year’s profit to. Let’s start there. Please tell me a little bit more about
Covenant House and why this particular charity is so near and dear to your
heart?
Covenant House is the largest
charity in the Americas dedicated to help homeless, abandoned, abused,
trafficked, and exploited youth. They have
shelters across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
They have a wide array of programs designed to provide youth in need
with a holistic approach to leaving the streets and achieving independence.
I
used to teach at a career college in downtown Toronto and there was a Covenant
House shelter nearby. I saw many
homeless kids needing care and guidance during the time. In my teaching I also encountered some
under-privileged students who were trying their best to make something out of
their lives despite the difficult circumstances they were in. I wanted to help and encourage them because
as cliché as it sounds, they are the future of our society. They can do great things just like any other
kids. They just need a little help along
the way so they can get there.
I've had similar experiences with Teen Challenge in San Diego through my church, which is why I reached out to you. (Readers, check out more about Covenant House and donate
here.) Did you decide to donate to Covenant House before or after
you began writing Shadow of Deception?
I decided to use my book as a fund-raising tool for
Covenant House after I began writing it.
To be honest, Shadow of Deception is the first full length novel I've
ever written and I didn't even think it could make it this far until it was
almost done.
Is SHADOW OF DECEPTION traditionally or self-published? How
did this affect your decision to donate to Covenant House?
It is self-published and it didn't really affect my
decision either way. In fact,
self-publishing made this happen much quicker and I have full control over the
entire process.
Although the book is not traditionally published, I did
go through a querying process before I decided to self-publish. I queried over forty agents and had some
positive feedback and a couple of manuscript requests but it only went as far
as that. I could have continued querying
but I knew this battle could go on for a long time. I just wanted my first book to be printed exactly
how I like it to be and in a timely manner.
Where did the inspiration or ideas for SHADOW OF DECEPTION
come from?
I remember having a spark of imagination in my head one
night that I should create a character like Kazumi and that was the start of it
all. I didn't have anything else to
build on or even a plot. I just sat down
and started typing. I remember telling
my husband that I was going to write a novel.
He looked at me from the corner of his eye and said, “Sure dear,” and
went back to watching his show.
I love Kaz’s voice, especially as her memories return. Did
she come to you as a fully formed character or did you have to take some time
to develop her before you started writing?
To elaborate on the previous question, she did come to me
as my primary inspiration. I wanted her
to drive the story and any changes I made were not to her as a character but
how she influenced the plot.
It’s really hard for me to write romantic parts in YA
novels. How are you at it? Did Kaz and Finn’s slowly budding relationship
challenge you?
Actually not at all.
Kaz and Finn's relationship came quite easily to me. I think this is because I've always
daydreamed about awkward and weird romantic situations ever since I was a
little girl. (Oh I think that came out
wrong. By weird I didn't mean anything
kinky. Oh God no!) I meant I like complications in a
relationship. Make them work for
it. It builds a stronger bond between
the characters. The hardest part of
writing Kaz and Finn was trying to keep it grounded, realistic, and of course
PG. I did have to delete a couple of
scenes that were too steamy.
Steamy scenes can happen in YA. I've read some that make me blush. But you seemed to figure out the perfect balance in this novel. Diversity is such a hot topic right now, and your novel fits
the bill perfectly with Kaz’s Japanese ancestry highlighting the back story. Was
that part of your original novel planning or did it come in later versions of
the manuscript?
I love that you brought this up. I knew the minute I concocted her in my mind
that she'd be mixed race. The only thing
I had to decide on was what mixed with what.
I didn't want her to be Chinese because being Chinese myself, I think
it'd be hitting too close to home. But I
needed a heritage that I have a good understanding of, hence Japanese. (My parents lived in Japan when they were
young and I took a couple years of Japanese myself.)
I've heard writing industry professionals talk about how often diversity takes over a book, but you really managed to make it part of who Kaz is rather than what she's all about. Bravo! What was your favorite part of SHADOW OF DECEPTION to
write? Which was the most difficult?
I loved writing scenes where Kaz kicked ass. I felt like she deserved those moments after
what she had been through. It was
thrilling and satisfying for me.
The
most difficult parts had to be scenes where I killed off my characters. Needless to say a lot of tissues were used
during the writing of those scenes. I
even scared my husband one time when he came home and saw my mascara-streaked
face bawling over the laptop.
I actually think that the fighting scenes were some of the best parts of the novel, so I can see why you loved writing them! Is SHADOW OF DECEPTION considered speculative fiction or
science fiction?
A very good question!
The simple answer is both. But I
labeled it science fiction based on the elements of the genetically advanced
humans and the fact that more people can relate to this genre. But in terms of the world setting, I think
it's definitely speculative.
Is there a sequel to SHADOW OF DECEPTION being written? If
so, can you give us some hints?
Definitely! I have
two more books planned in this series.
The main plot of the second book has been drafted. There will be deception of course but less
shadows. While the first book focused on
the Sarcomeres, the second book will cast light on the Neuronics. We will also explore Kaz and Finn's relationship
a bit further and who knows, maybe I might throw in another love interest. Dun-Dun-Duuun!!!!!
AH! A love triangle?!?! Now I'm going to be so impatient for book two! :0) What else do you have in the works now? Story ideas? A
manuscript in progress? Any hints?
The next two novels will keep me busy for a while. Not to mention I have a little munchkin at
home who takes up a lot of my time as well. :)
I'm a mommy too, so I totally know where you are coming from. Are you a plotter or pantser? Or something in between?
I was definitely a pantser for Shadow of Deception. I only had Kazumi created in my mind and I
let the typing take me away. But for the
second book, I'll need to be a bit of a plotter in order to make the story
consistent.
I'm a fellow panster, but I've come to appreciate plotting for certain parts and pieces of my more complex novels. What do you consider your writing strength(s)? Weakness(es)?
Oh this question takes me back to my job interview
days. My weakness is that I care too
much. . . just kidding. I think I write good dialogues, hence am able
to drive the story forward in a swift pace.
I'd like to think I have a good imagination as well which helps my world
building and what not. But all this is
really for the readers to decide. If
they think my dialogues are crap then maybe being delusional is my
weakness. I do have one major weakness
though, and that is grammar. Hate the
big G word. English being my second
language just makes things more challenging.
But I'm working on it. :)
Grammer is my nemesis too. We should start a meeting. haha. Now for some fun stuff! What’s your drink of choice when
writing? Wine? Something stronger? Tea? Coffee?
Sorry to disappoint but a nice cup of tea is all I need.
I love tea sometimes too! If you could have lunch with any character, who would it be
and where would you dine?
I'd choose Finn because come on, he's dreamy. But also so I can smack him on the head. (You
know why. No spoilers!) And as for the place to dine, I'd have to
choose the underground village inside their Rocky Mountain headquarters. I'd love to see that weather hologram in
person and see if it's made to my standard.
Describe your dream office or library. Where would you build
it? What would it look/smell/feel like while sitting in it? Any windows with
views?
Oh there's so much I want for my office slash
library. First of all, it has to be very
bright and airy. Huge floor-to-ceiling
bay windows overlooking a bustling city with a dash of greenery here and
there. It has to be high above ground so
the noise and action of the city don't disrupt my thinking. I need to be in complete silence when I
write. The interior will have to be
modern and elegant, with a hint of femininity.
Columns of books will line the walls in glass shelves free of dust. The light yet aromatic smell of fresh peonies
will permeate the room, telling visitors that the occupant is classy, fresh,
and well-educated. Too much??
Never too much! What recent book have you read and fallen in love with?
I just finished the series, Inheritance Cycle, by
Christopher Paolini. A fantastic fantasy
series about a dragon and its rider. And
Christopher wrote the first one, Eragon, back when he was only sixteen and his
prose was already better than a lot of adult writers.
Christopher Paolini is awesome. I didn't want that series to end! I remember being quite irritated when I finished it. What is one of your favorite classic books?
The Chrysalids.
Even though I didn't understand the majority of it when I read it in
grade school, it left its mark in my mind—an urge to understand. So I re-read it a while back and finally was
able to appreciate its significance and beauty.
I've never read that. [Adds to Goodreads.]
Thanks again for coming on my blog today! I really
appreciate it and am 100% behind you and your donation to Covenant House. And
because of this, I’m buying two more electronic copies as giveaways to blog readers!
To enter the Ebook giveaway, comment below and make sure you follow my blog. Tell us if you’ve read or would
like to read SHADOW OF DECEPTION, feel free to ask Sophia a question, or just
leave a fun comment. Please also put your email or twitter handle in the
comment. I’ll draw and announce two
names on my next post Monday, May 4th.
If this interview hasn’t convinced you to buy SHADOW OF
DECEPTION yet, read on for the synopsis and my review!
[From Goodreads] A horrific plane crash
kills all five hundred and forty-two passengers except one. Kazumi comes
out of the wreckage physically unscathed but wiped of all memories. Her
miraculous survival attracts the attention of the Sarcomeres, a secret
society of genetically advanced humans. Their heightened physical
abilities and high-tech gadgets are not the only things that fascinate
Kazumi, Finnegan O'Riley, a fellow Sarc also gets her heart racing. When
she discovers that she possesses the genetic potential to become a
Sarcomere, she welcomes the chance to train with them in the hope that
she would recover her memories.
Meanwhile, thirty years after
the Great War that almost destroyed the world, a centuries-old nemesis
of the Sarcomeres begins to stir in the dark. Just when Kazumi thinks
she can help protect her new found home, past memories surface to
threaten her new identity. She soon realizes that layers of deception
run deep and everyone has a secret agenda, including herself. Who can
she trust when she can't even trust herself? One wrong decision could
bring forth consequences worse than death. Is Kazumi ready to face her
destiny?
My review of SHADOW OF DECEPTION:
It’s the year 2153 and natural disasters have whittled the
world down to only three damaged and recovering areas: America, Europe, and China. The main
character awakens to death and destruction, and quickly passes back out. She opens
her eyes again without memories and at the mercy of the hospital that cared for
her as the sole survivor a horrible plane crash.
Within a month of recovery, the hospital turns her out into
an unfamiliar city. A motherly nurse whisks her away to Colorado, where super
humans thrive in an underground city. As she learns of her own fast healing and
agile-moving body and uncanny gun fighting abilities, memories surface and she
discovers her real name: Kazumi. Friends and enemies are formed, loyalties
tested. An unexpected twist in the plot had me flailing in my in-laws living
room. I won’t tell much more in order to not spoil the ending. Sophia is an
expert at creating characters. She also has a way with pacing, creating a plot
that ebbs and flows naturally. I was sucked in and finished reading in less
than 3 days, to the detriment of my sleep, work, and family.
Like many self-published books I’ve read recently, SHADOW OF
DECEPTION would have benefited from a few more rounds with critique partners
and an editor to weed out grammer, spelling, filtering, and adverb issues. But
the story was so engaging that I hardly noticed these flaws. This book
solidified me as a Sophia L. Johnson fan, and I’d love to become her critique
partner if only to get to read the second Kazumi Chronicle that much sooner.
Don't forget to subscribe and comment for your chance to win one of two copies of SHADOW OF DECEPTION! I'll see you all next week!
