Secret Sister by Sophie McKenzie
We are so excited to share our Q&A with Sophie McKenzie. It is all about her newest book, Secret Sister. Read on to learn more about this story and about Sophie herself.
Please tell us about your latest book, Secret Sister.
Secret Sister is the story of Asha and Willow – twin sisters, separated as babies. When the story begins, neither knows that the other exists. They’ve been brought up in very different environments – Willow in conventional modern-day England and Asha on a remote island with minimal contact to the outside world and hardly any technology. Asha finds an old photo of herself and Willow, discovers they are twins and decides to run away from the island to find her sister. Willow is equally determined to meet Asha. But it isn’t easy. As the girls start to piece together the reasons why they were separated, they discover that those responsible are still in their lives – and prepared to do anything to stop the truth coming out. To find their way back to each other, Willow and Asha have to take risks, face setbacks and confront not just their deepest fears but their deadliest enemies.
Have you always wanted to write for a YA audience?
I don’t really think about it like that. Firstly, I write mostly for myself, trying to tell stories like the ones I love and admire myself. Secondly, the book starts with the idea – I work out the likely audience from there, then write it. Most of my novels have felt rooted in younger teen characters and their hopes and fears – but I’ve also written for younger children and adults when the idea for the story led me there.
What appeals to readers about your books?
I’m not sure I’m in the best position to judge that! I try to make sure I’m writing strong, dramatic stories with compelling, relatable characters. I love reading about the tensions in family relationships, people facing moral dilemmas and desperate races against time – so those are elements that often end up in my writing too.
What is your writing process- morning or afternoon, fuelled by caffeine or deadlines?
I love writing, so I don’t really have a particular routine or process. It’s what I fit the rest of my life around. Having said that, I used to write a lot in the evenings, but as I’ve got older I find I’m at my best (and freshest) in the mornings.
What did you love about writing Secret Sister?
Ooh, many things, but especially creating the bond between the twin sisters and building the story on their intense need to find each other. Thinking up Dimity Island, where Asha lives without much modern tech, was also lots of fun.
Were there any challenges in writing this book?
I had to do some restructuring after the first draft, which was quite challenging. Otherwise, just the normal process of getting half way through and starting to doubt everything for a bit, then keeping on going until it all started to make sense again!
What do you hope readers will take from reading your books?
First and foremost, enjoyment and reading for pleasure. For some readers, I hope my books will also offer a temporary escape from the challenges of real life (as many brilliant authors did for me, when I was a child). I always end on a note of hope when writing for kids. I want readers to feel empowered and that there are lots of possibilities out there.
Secret Sister by Sophie McKenzie is published by Simon&Schuster.