So today I am so happy to be interviewing Sophie Jackson, author of A Pound of Flesh (REVIEW HERE). I absolutely loved this book, so was super excited when I was invited to be a part of the A Pound of Flesh Blog Tour. SYNOPSIS
For Kat Lane, teaching inmates at a New York prison is her way of upholding the legacy of her beloved father, murdered fifteen years ago. But when new student Wes Carter walks into her classroom, she's shaken by the strength of her attraction to him. Carter is as handsome as he is dangerous, as mysterious as he is quick-witted - and he ensures people keep their distance. Yet vibrant Kat bypasses his defences and challenges him to reveal the real man behind the intimidating reputation. As their emotional barriers crumble, their inescapable but forbidden feelings cannot be ignored. But will Kat's discovery of Carter's role on the night her father died force them apart...or bind their hearts for ever?
Question 1. What is A Pound of Flesh about?
A Pound of Flesh is about redemption, love, and not judging a book by its cover. Kat Lane witnessed the murder of her father when she was nine years old and, as a way of upholding a promise she made to him, becomes a teacher in a prison. There she meets Wes Carter, an arrogant inmate who challenges her in more ways than one. The book follows their relationship as tutor and student and how they deal with prejudice, threats to said relationship and a dangerous history neither of them realise they had.
Question 2 - A Pound of Flesh was originally a Twilight fan fiction, What made you want to write about Bella and Edward in different situations?
When I read the Twilight series I became obsessed with wanting to learn more about Edward and Bella; there could have been twenty books in the series and I would have felt the same – I just loved the characters so much.
Seeing Edward and Bella in different scenarios was exciting and different. It was so much fun reading about Edward as a human, as a fireman, or a dancer, etc. and falling in love with the relationship he formed with Bella all over again. I read a tonne of awesome fics and they all inspired me to have a go, too.
Question 3 - You posted your fan fictions online, what was it like getting good comments from online readers?
It was amazing. The fandom is an amazing place and I've made some wonderful lifelong friends. The reviews – for the most part – were honest, constructive and enthusiastic. The beauty of the way Fanfiction works is that the feedback is immediate. It only takes the time it takes for someone to read your chapter to receive a review and that’s invaluable to any writer. My readers’ opinions certainly helped shape my writing, my characters, and plots. I'll always be thankful to them for helping me grow as a writer.
Question 4 - Do you have any advice for people who would like to upload their work online (Onto Wattpad, Fanfiction.net, etc)
Do it! It’s an amazing experience. The feedback is instant, it’s easy to use, and you have an on tap readership who will be honest in what they think, which certainly prepares you for any reviews you may get if you choose to publish later down the line. It helps writers improve and gives a great insight into what people are reading, what turns them on and what they want more of. It’s a great resource that more writers should use.
Question 5 - Did you learn anything from writing your book/s and what was it?
Editing was probably the biggest learning curve for me. APoF was 500,000 words as a fic, and it was impossible to spilt cleanly, so I spent 18 months editing it down for publishing. I learned very quickly that I had to be ruthless. I've definitely learned how not to be precious about my work in that regard. I had to delete scenes that I loved because they slowed the whole story down and didn't add anything. It’s really helped me in writing the rest of the series. I’m more aware of pace and writing scenes for purpose not just as filler.
Question 6 - Carter is what I describe a hard-ass sweet heart. Who are some of your favourite fictional bad boys?
I have so many; I couldn't possible choose! I like a bad boy who is honest and straight talking, confident and a little bit dangerous. I like a bad boy who is naughty but loves with his whole heart. There are so many excellently written bad boy characters out there. It’s a really exciting time to be a writer and a reader!
Question 7 - What are you currently reading?
Nothing and it kills me. I'm too busy writing. The last book I read was Never Never Part Two by Colleen Hoover, which certainly has me intrigued. I’m looking forward to part three.
Question 8 - What authors inspired your works?
So many. There are numerous fanfic authors who inspired me to take the plunge into publishing by doing it themselves; it gave me the confidence to go for it, too. I love JoJo Moyes like it’s my job and John Green is a genius. I adore Colleen Hoover and read anything by J. R. Ward. All very different authors but all incredible.
Question 9 - New Adult is a fairly new genre, why should readers (who are hesitant) on starting it give it a shot?
NA fits beautifully between YA and more adult, more explicit works. It'’ a nice bridge between the two. I think people should give it a shot simply because the talent out there is amazing. The age range that NA covers is extremely broad, which ensures a reader could find something that’d appeal.
Question 10 - If you were trapped on an island with only 1 object (or person) which would you choose:
. Your book A Pound of Flesh
. Edward Cullen (Or Robert Pattinson playing Edward Cullen, it's your pick) <------ DUH!!!!!
. A never ending laptop
Question 11 - Kiss, Marry, Kill?
. Edward Cullen - Kiss
. Wes Carter - Marry
. Jacob Black - Kill
Question 12 - Is there anything you'd like to say to your readers (both old and new)?
Thank you to everyone who's ever given APoF a chance; to those who’ve reviewed, messaged, tweeted, facebooked me, you’re all wonderful and you keep me going. I hope my old readers love the published version of APoF as much as the fic and, to my new readers, thanks for picking up my book; I hope you love it as much as I do.
Thank you so much Sophie for participating in my Q&A. And also thanks to the publishers, Headline Eternal who gave me this opportunity. I definitely recommend everyone buying a copy of A Pound of Flesh.
Want to check out the other blogs that took part in the blog tour?
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