Chelsea Fine Interview + SOPHIE & CARTER Giveaway!

I recently interviewed Chelsea Fine, the author of the popular and bestselling book "SOPHIE & CARTER!" She's also got quite a few new projects in the works, like "The Archers of Avalon."


It was a joy being able to interview her because she's an all around lovely person and creative genius, so do stay tuned for the interview and a giveaway at the end! You wont want to miss it!



1] Sophie & Carter is a YA bestseller,
how does it feel to be a best selling author after working at a Credit Union?


It feels surreal! Like, crazy unbelievable. Two years ago I was helping people get loans for their yachts or whatever (while writing stories on a word document in between clients) and now I'm writing full-time and never have to do math. It's wonderful! :) 


2] What was the driving force behind "Sophie &  Carter?"
Did you have inspirations behind writing it?


Honestly? No. (I know, super lame, right?) But I was at Barnes & Noble one day, working on a different book at the time (a book about superheroes) and I hit a wall. I just couldn't figure out how to end my chapter. So instead, I opened a new document with the intent to write a ridiculously dramatic and superficial love story. But after I'd typed out the first chapter of Sophie & Carter, I realized my story was getting deeper and my heart just sorta fell into the story. I started writing like a wild woman. I had no idea where the characters were going or what their backgrounds were going to be. I just wrote. It was raw and emotional, and I was sure it was nothing more than a writing exercise to clear my head. But after four hours of nonstop typing, I realized I was bawling my eyes out in the middle of Barnes & Noble and I just didn't care.


I FELT my characters, ya know?


Like, I would write from Sophie's perspective and my fingers would shake because I wasn't sure if she was going to be okay. (Haha, do I sound like a crazy person here?) I didn't have an outline so I didn't know how it was going to end. I just wrote and wrote and wrote...then Barnes & Noble closed, so I packed up and went home...and I wrote and wrote some more. When I finished the book I was smiling and crying and just a complete mess--but in a good way. :) So, there you have it. I did everything the wrong way. I didn't have an outline. I didn't have any character profiles. I didn't have a PLAN. I just sorta...went with my gut. :)


3] Tell us more about "The Archers of Avalon,"
what are we to expect from the series?


The first book, ANEW, mainly focuses on a girl who wakes up in the woods without any memories. She knows nothing about her past until she meets two devastatingly handsome brothers who know all about her. And thus begins a love triangle. :) Really, what I'm trying to write is a sacrificial love story. How far would you go for love? What would you do to protect it? Would you lie? Would you kill? Would you sacrifice your own happiness? THE ARCHERS OF AVALON will be full of mystery, murder, modern-day archery, kissing festivals, forbidden love, magical curses, high school drama, and (hopefully) a love triangle that leaves readers torn. :)


ANEW should be out this December. :)


4] Out of all the characters would you say you have one that is your favorite?


In THE ARCHERS OF AVALON, my main character has a best friend named Heather, who I LOVE to write!!! She's superficial, and chatty, and boy-crazy and just, well, annoying--but in a cute way. She's obsessed with fashion, and she's snarky and high-maintenance.


I just love writing her. For whatever reason, her character comes easily to me. Probably because I'm more like her than I care to admit. :) 


5] Since you have such a love for superheroes,
do you ever see yourself writing a book or even a series about them?


I've actually been working on a superhero series for about three years now--and I'm still not done! :) It's about two teenagers with these "super abilities" who fall in love, but can't be together due to the nature of their powers. Of all the stories I'm writing right now, I think this one is my baby. I'm emotionally attached to it and a crazed perfectionist when it comes to editing. Probably because it's the first story I wrote that I really wanted others to read and CONNECT with, ya know? (Because don't we all want to wear capes and fly around saving the world? :) Just kidding! There are no capes in my series. But there MIGHT be some flying....)


I'm hoping to publish my superhero series after my ARCHERS OF AVALON series
(with a few stand-alone books in between). 


RANDOM QUESTIONS:


1] Since you're a self proclaimed coffee addict, what's your regular at Starbucks?
Or do you have another coffee shop you love?


Oh, man. During the holiday season I'm all about the grande, non-fat, peppermint mocha. Yum!


2] What would you say comes easier to you, painting or writing?


Hmmm...good question! Painting is my go-to stress-reliever, but creating my own artwork is never easy. Writing is more of a passion for me so even though I sometimes get emotional and frustrated and can't finish a chapter, I would still say writing comes easier to me. 


3] So far in your writing career...
has there been anything about the gig that has genuinely surprised you?


Being brand new to the writing world, I've been blown away by how friendly other authors are. Even "big" authors. :) Writers everywhere are so sweet and encouraging and helpful, its been a real blessing. I expected the writing world to be somewhat cutthroat and harsh, especially for a debut author. But my experience has been the complete opposite! Everyone is so nice and I've had the opportunity to sail alongside some incredible writers and learn from them, ya know?

It's been wonderful! 


4] You're also an avid reader,
is there an author that you would ever become starstruck over if you met?


Um...J.K. Rowling. I'm a HUGE Harry Potter fan. I think if I met her I wouldn't know what to do. I'd probably try to give her an awkward high five and say something lame like,

"Humble muggle at your service, madam."
Haha. Yeah...it's probably best that I don't ever meet her in person....


5] The ultimate question: I see you're a Vampire Diaries lover and I have to ask,
Team Stefan or Team Damon?


TEAM DAMON!!! All the way! (But, I must admit...lately, I've been kinda digging the crazy side of Stefan :) . But for the most part, I'm all about Damon.  I even have a home-made shirt that reads "I Heart Damon"....Because I'm a nerd. Haha. :)

THE GIVEAWAY: One copy of SOPHIE & CARTER is up for grabs!!

"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?"

All you have to do is be a blog follower of mine and leave your GFC username. You have to leave a comment on this post with your name, email address and your favorite question/answer in this interview.

However, if you do want extra entries you can:

Follow me on Twitter [+1]
"Like" The Writing Wonderland on Facebook [+1]
Follow Chelsea Fine on Twitter [+1]
Follow Chelsea Fine's blog [+1]

So, that's five possible entries! Be sure to leave all of your links for your extra entries in your comment, too. I will pick a winner via random.org on October 17th! Good luck!!