Interview & Giveaway with Rosa Sophia

Can you please share with us a little about yourself:

I’m a Jane of all Trades.  When I listen to other authors talk about how they went to school for writing, or majored in Literature, I often wonder what it was like for them.  I can’t focus on one interest.  I love to travel, and I am currently living in North Palm Beach, Florida.  Instead of going to school for writing, I went to school for automotive.  I taught a writing workshop for a short time, worked for various magazines, and now I edit for three small publishers.  Eventually, I plan to attain as many certifications in the automotive field as possible, and open my own repair shop.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

When I was little, I knew that I would be an author.  I spent hours and hours reading books in my grandmother’s old house, and I quickly decided that I would be published by the time I was twenty.  It happened!

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

When I write, I need to have coffee.  As long as I’m awake enough, the words spill onto the page and it’s hard to stop.  When I get a full day of writing, I usually drink a lot of coffee, eat very little, and break up the day with a nice walk or a run.  Walking or running almost always inspires me.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

Lately, the most challenging part of writing is finding the time to write.  I’m a full-time automotive student, I work at a library, and I have my own small editing business.  The most rewarding part of writing is finishing something.  Being able to type the very last line in a book is very fulfilling!

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Check Out Time is a Mystery novel set in Witchfire, Pennsylvania.  Don’t look on a map for that one—I made it up.  It’s about an hour or so from Scranton.  Check Out Time has elements of suspense, and romance, and follows the story of a young woman who is trying to adjust to a new life in a strange town.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

Check Out Time was initially inspired by my father.  Dad and I hadn’t seen each other in fifteen years, and we were reunited in 2008.  We became very close, and I decided that I wanted to make him a character in one of my stories.  My main character, Naomi, is reunited with her father after the tragic death of her mother.  Dad was a grease monkey; naturally, Naomi’s father, Roy, owns the best repair shop in Witchfire.  Naomi is a self-taught mechanic.  I only wish that my dad could see his character in this book.  Dad passed away prematurely, at the age of 56, on February 17, 2012.  I miss him very much, and this book is the result of my love for my dad.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

I am working on a few things.  One of my projects is the sequel to Check Out Time, entitled At the Turn of a Wrench.  Set primarily at Roy’s repair shop, it follows Naomi and her father as they attempt to salvage the family business.  Another book that I am working on is called Crossing Roads in the Rain.  This one is a rather unusual ghost story set in Riviera Beach, Florida, and chronicles the discoveries of a young woman as she delves into a mystery that has its roots in the horrific hurricane of 1928.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

I have a lot of favorite authors.  Terry Pratchett, J.W. Coffey, Jeff Markowitz, and many others.  Most of my favorite authors are those that I know personally, or work with.  Yes, I am biased!

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style? 

I grew up reading a lot of British authors, especially P.G. Wodehouse, so I often find myself spelling words the British way.  Piers Anthony influenced my early writings, and so did Terry Pratchett.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I am not generally attracted to new books, unless they are published by small houses.  I like to support “the little guy.”  My To Read Pile is mostly full of old classics that I would like to read or re-read.  Currently, I would like to find time to finish Jane Eyre.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for having me! I hope that everyone will enjoy Check Out Time.  I am especially excited about this one.  I would also love it if you would come visit me on my website!

Website: http://www.rosasophia.com/

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/authorrosasophia

Professional Editing & Writing by Rosa Sophia: http://www.facebook.com/Editing.by.Rosa.Sophia

Amazon | B&N

Blurb from the back of the book: Naomi Vogler blames herself for her mother’s tragic death, continually reliving the accident in her nightmares.  When she reconnects with her estranged father, he invites her to live with him in a little town called Witchfire.  A simple job stocking shelves overnight at a local grocery store seems a perfect distraction.  But when the manager of the store is found dead in the boiler room, Naomi’s boring job becomes something much more complicated.  No matter how she looks at it, one thing is certain: retail is murder.

Giveaway:

Rosa is give away one or more digital copies of Check Out Time.

To enter please fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway