FCBG Asks Sophie Anderson
Our monthly feature, FCBG Asks, is back with the incredibly talented Sophie Anderson. Her fourth book, The Thief Who Sang Storms is now out in bookshops and is meeting rave reviews. It is an exciting time for the author as her first book, The House with Chicken Legs, has been adapted for stage by a theatre company known as Les Enfants Terribles, also meeting rave reviews!
Your latest book, The Thief Who Sang Storms, is now published and out in the world. How does it feel to have 4 books published?
I feel very lucky to have the continuing support and expertise of my amazing team at Usborne, and I feel very grateful that my stories are still finding a place in the hearts of readers. I love writing, and to be able to keep doing it, and for my stories to keep finding homes, is a dream come true.
Can you tell us a bit about Linnet and her people from this story? Where did this idea stem from?
Linnet and her family are alkonosts – bird-people from Slavic mythology who were believed to have been able to sing magic. I always liked the idea of writing a story involving alkonosts, and this one was inspired by an old Russian folk poem called Nightingale the Robber. Nightingale had bird features and a dangerous whistle. He was the villain of the poem, but I wanted to explore the idea that perhaps he wasn’t a villain… perhaps he, and other bird-people, were the victims of prejudice and propaganda.
You are obviously a family who value stories and reading, what type of books are in your home library? Is there a shared love for particular titles?
My family are aged three to over fifty, and we all have varied tastes, so our home library is eclectic and wide ranging. There is a shared love for many titles though. I think a really good story or non-fiction title from any genre can have a wide appeal. A couple of recent family favourites are I am NOT a Prince by Rachael Davis and Beatrix Hatcher, Rumaysa by Radiya Hafiza, and Wilder than Midnight by Cerrie Burnell – which, now I look at that list, are all fairy tale inspired, so maybe there is something about a shared love of fairy tales here!
What tips would you offer other families to encourage a love of reading?
Read together, read often, and make it fun! If you aren’t all enjoying a book, find another one! Don’t feel you have to finish every story. Skip around, explore different books, visit libraries and chat to librarians!
What is it that fuels your writing- is it deadlines, excitement or caffeine and chocolate?
All of the above!
Are you already in a creative planning mode for a new book? Can you share any snippets of a sneak peek?
I am in creative planning mode, although it’s a little too early to share anything yet!
How do you plan and map out a story? Is it all laid out with paper strewn about, all on computer or another method?
I am definitely an on-paper planner. Endless notebooks get scribbled in, ring-binders fill up with plans and maps, character studies and setting notes. It’s a very messy process for me, that continues as I write the book, as I find myself constantly adjusting my plans.
