Thursday, September 22, 2011

Aspiring Author Stephanie Sinkhorn

she looks like this.I recently made an awesome blogging friend through the Writer's Platform Building Campaign. And that new friend is Stephanie Sinkhorn! I'm super excited to learn more about her!



From Stephanie's blog, we learn, "S.E. Sinkhorn, an author of young adult fiction. She loves the ocean, Phoenix Wright, and garlic popcorn. She blogs about YA, writing, publishing, pop culture, and the occasional weird news story. Welcome to her world.


She has been known to answer to Steph, Stephy, or "hey dudette.""


Awesome right? And garlic popcorn sounds super yummy...I need to try it. But since I don't know where to get it and am not very good in the kitchen, I'll just pass this around for the interview.





*Yes, we might all have garlic breath, but at least we aren't breathing the same air :)


So, Stephanie, how long have you been writing?


I always feel like kind of a doofus being one of those writers who’s like, “I’ve been writing ever since I knew how!” But, well, yeah. I’m pretty sure there’s a little 15-page book somewhere in my Mom’s keepsake box that includes the bio: “Stephanie is eight years old. She likes cats and Big League Chew. This is her third book.” I’ve been writing with a goal toward publication for about three years.


(There's nothing wrong with writing since you were really little. We can't all start writing at the same time :) And I totally have stacks of books that my six year old daughter has written. She'll get to say the same thing as you when she's older...well, if she sticks with it!)


What made you want to write?


Mostly the fact that I’m a literature and screenplay nerd. I love dialogue and description and detail. Fitting all those things together and creating something new is immensely entertaining and therapeutic for me. I’ve always been highly imaginative. Now I just put my overactive imaginings to paper.


(And I bet with all that passion it comes out on the paper really well!)


What book are you reading right now and which one do you have lined up to read next?


Currently I’m reading Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake. It’s superbly creepy. Next up is either Wither by Lauren DeStefano or Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman. Depends on what kind of mood I’m in.


If you could pick the setting of one book to live in, which would it be?


This is totally the clichĂ©d, obvious answer, but Harry Potter and his wizarding world. It’s so full of life and fantastically imagined. That series was a big part of my coming-of-age, so I think I’ll always feel “at home” there.


(That is a popular answer to that question, but there's nothing wrong with that! I would probably have to pick the same thing...or some kind of mixture of that world and another. Can it mix with something from Pride and Prejudice? Hmm.)


Do you have any pet peeves while writing?


Interruptions, big time. My fiancĂ© gets kind of huffy when I’m writing because I get in the zone and completely tune him out. He’ll be saying something to me and it takes several seconds for me to pull out of my writer-brain and go “huh?” And then I’m all distracted and discombobulated when I try to get back into that state of mind. My other big peeve is my own perfectionism. It holds me back from getting words on the page sometimes.


(I love that you said discombobulated! That describes my mind at several points during the day. Mostly when my characters and children are all fighting for my attention while I'm doing something mundane like making dinner or driving.)


What's your favorite:


Book- Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart


Author- If you’re making me pick just one, I have to say Neil Gaiman


Character- Lyra Silvertongue


Thing about writing- Turning the perfect phrase and thinking, “YES. This is exactly what was in my mind’s eye.”


Time of day- Nighttime, when it’s cool and relaxed.


And last, but not least, do you prefer fruity candy or chocolate?


Depends, but usually chocolate. With peanut butter, if possible.


(Sure it's possible. And definitely one of the best ways to eat chocolate. In my opinion, chocolate is always better with something else...but I'm a fruity sour kind of person. I like my treats to surprise me. Like, yeah you're about to stick that chocolate in your mouth, but did you know there's a nugget of peanut butter in the middle? LUCKY! Or, yeah that little man shaped candy may have sugar looking stuff on the outside but guess what? He's sour! And then sweet again. Okay, sorry about the long explanation. Here's a treat to make up for it.)





Thanks for answering my questions, Stephanie! It was a fun and tasty interview :) 


Everyone else, be sure hop on over to Stephanie's blog, Maybe Genius


Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

11 comments:

  1. Interruptions are my pet peeve too. Drives my husband nuts. We had to agree on not interrupting on trivial things that can wait, like "Do you want to see that new movie next week?"

    Wonderful interview.

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  2. Love the interview~! I'm going to read Anna Dressed in Blood. Yes, Harry Potter is definitely a world worth living in and I totally agree with mixing in from Pride and Prejudice.

    BTW, I was wondering if I could send you my 1st chap. manuscript on Sunday?

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  3. Great interview! I'm hungry now.

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  4. Hi Steph! *waves* Thanks for the fun interview, Steph and Michelle. :) I ditto the interruption bit, and being in the "zone."

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  5. Love the interview guys! Stephanie is awesome! I love her blog! :)

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  6. Aw, thanks ladies! And thanks to Michelle for letting me spend some time on her blog :)

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  7. great interview, and I agree with interruptions being brutal, I have two little monsters that won't leave me alone when I sit to write :)

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  8. I enjoyed the interview.

    I also want to live in Harry Potter's world. I'm cliche too. My children and husband often get left out when I'm in the zone. And Neil Gaiman is awesome!

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  9. Hello Michelle and Stephanie! Thanks for the interview! I enjoy Stephanie's blog and have read her short and flash stories so I know she is most talented and yes, highly imaginative!
    And she does funny things with marshmallows! LOL!

    Take care
    x

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  10. Thanks for stopping by everyone! And yes, Sabrina, anytime is fine :)

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  11. Great. I had something really witty to say, but then the subject of peanut butter came up...so forget it, the moment has passed. Gotta love PB (um, and chocolate!)

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