Sofia Speaks...to Cheddar from CINDERSKELLA

SOFIA:

*Clears throat, puts on professional voice* 

Thanks for agreeing to step outside of CINDERSKELLA to do this awesome interview given by the most awesome person. Ever. So, Chester…that’s an unusual name. What are you, like a chipmunk or something?
CHEDDAR:
The name’s NOT Chester. It’s Cheddar. C-H-E-D-D-A-R, Cheddar! The Living, always getting my name wrong.

SOFIA:
Hmmm…Okay. Well, give me just a second and…

*scribbling sounds as Sofia draws on paper* 

SOFIA:
Tada!  Do you look anything like THIS?

 CHEDDAR:

*Flicks tail in disgust* 

 *silence...except for the chirping of crickets*

SOFIA:
I see you are stunned into speechlessness. This can only mean one thing…You totally look exactly like this. Nailed it! I should really think about a career as a professional artist.  Okay, Cheddar, contain your enthusiasm and tell the readers  a little about your world. A day in the life of…
CHEDDAR:

A day in the life of Cheddar? The Living! Always asking ridiculous questions. Don’t you know I’m DEAD? *Humpf*  If you must know what I do in the Underworld, I spend my days in servitude. That's right. All I do is cater to this girl named Cindy and help transport her to the Underworld. Waste of time if you ask me. Oh that's right - no one ever asked me!! Mumble grumble, mumble, grumble.

SOFIA:

What issues do you have? I mean we all have some sort of issues—me not so much—but what is your role in the story and what made you so special that you were chosen out of all the other bazillions of mice in the world?

CHEDDAR:

Issues? My issue is this interview? Is it over yet?

*Twitches tail*

I’ll have you know I’m a very special skeleton mouse, thank you very much. The Living! Always making ridiculous assumptions.

SOFIA:

And your author people who call themselves Amie and Bethanie Borst…any suggestions, advice, or feedback you’d like to give them? Now's your chance to squeak up!

CHEDDAR:

The only intelligent thing these author people did was create me. If they’re smart they’ll dedicate an entire book to my story.

AMIE:

Not gonna happen, Cheddar. And stop being so rude to Sofia. She’s gracious enough to host us, the least you could do is be polite.

BETHANIE:

Maybe in the next life, Cheddar.

SOFIA:

You know, in my world, there’s an annoying girl named Mia. I wish I could ship her off without a return address. Do you have a Mia in your story? Who’s the super villain in CINDERSKELLA?

CHEDDAR:

I wish I could ship you off….

AMIE:

Cheddar, what did I just tell you about being rude?

BETHANIE:

You know, Cheddar, Cindy’s not the only one who can step on you…

SOFIA:

Speaking of stepping on...since you’re so small, it must be easy to hide. Do you ever secretly spy on anyone and accidentally overhear anything with your super huge ears?

CHEDDAR:

My ears aren’t huge! Have you forgotten? I’m a SKELETON. I don’t have ears!

SOFIA:

Skeleton ears. whatever. Why don't you list five reasons, for our readers, on why people should run out and read CINDERSKELLA?

CHEDDAR:

      1-      It involves me. I’m the greatest skeleton mouse that ever died.

      2-      It involves me.

      3-      Me.

      4-      Me.

      5-      Oh and bet you can’t guess what else. ME!

SOFIA:

Wow. Modest much? Last question-what is your favorite kind of cheese?

CHEDDAR:

*Glares* The Living! Always thinking they’re such a hoot.

SOFIA:

So, dear readers, this concludes the interview with  the oh-so-charming, Chester. Be sure to check out all the fabbity fab info below on the book, the author people, and how you--yes YOU--could win a signed copy of CINDERSKELLA.

CINDERSKELLA goes something like this....

Cindy is just a normal eleven and three-quarter year-old. At least until she wakes up one night and finds out she’s dead. Well, she isn't technically dead—she just doesn't have any hair . . . or a nose . . . or skin. Yep—all bones, no body.  

Human by day and skeleton by night, Cindy is definitely cursed. And because her mother recently died, Cindy has no one to turn to except a father who’s now scared of her and an evil stepmother who makes her do the housecleaning with a toothbrush. To make matters worse, the Spring Fling dance is approaching, and Ethan, the cutest boy in sixth grade, doesn’t seem to know Cindy exists. Of course, Cindy doesn’t think letting Ethan find out she’s part skeleton is the best way to introduce herself.

While facing such perils as pickled pig’s feet, a wacky fortune teller, and a few quick trips to the Underworld, Cindy’s determined to break the curse—even for a single night.

You can purchase Cinderskella at:
Amazon      Barnes & Noble      Books-A-Million     Add it to your to-read shelf on Goodreads!

Who are these author people, Amie & Bethanie Borst, that Cheddar speaks of? 

Amie Borst still believes in unicorns, uses glitter whenever possible and accessorizes in pink. She enjoys eating chocolate while writing and keeps a well-stocked stash hidden away from her family. A native New Yorker she currently resides in Northern Virginia with her husband, three children and a cute dog named Lily. She wishes she had a hot-pink elevator with carnival lights to travel the world. But for now, her minivan will have to do.

Bethanie Borst is a spunky 13-year-old who is an avid archer with Olympic dreams, enjoys the outdoors, loves reading and is quick to make lasting friendships. When she is not writing, she swings on a star.

You can follow Amie and Bethanie on Facebook  and find Amie at her Blog , Twitter, and Pinterest.

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*If you have a character you think Sofia would love to interview...shoot us an email!

Bella Vista High Career Day

So today I had the pleasure of presenting at my son's high school for career day (my son was even in the first session! *Hi Christian!*)   In the past I've spoken at elementary schools, I've given workshops for adults, but the thought of presenting to high school students was a bit intimidating! And not just because most of them are taller than me! So I went into my first session feeling like this:

 

 

But by the end of my last session felt like this:

 

 

 

Because the students were AWESOME. and the teacher was AWESOME. and so was the staff. And I have to give teachers a lot of credit. It was hard to remember if I told one group of students certain info already, or if that was the previous class I discussed it with. And talking a lot? Wow, I need a nap! That kind of thing really wears you out!

 

So....the students asked some really great questions, and it's the questions that any new writer would have.  Its the stuff that writers might forget after awhile or take for granted. And it was so great to see students excited and eager.  And even some that have already started writing a book!   

 

Some questions were about age limitations to becoming an author. I gave an example of my BWFE (Best Writing Friend Ever) Amie Borst and her daughter, Bethanie, who co-authored their upcoming book series. Age does not limit your passion and what you can accomplish. And I think Bethanie proves just that.

 

I think some of the questions asked would make great blog posts for new writers so I'm going to try and post some of these next week...along with resources that can help too. 

 

What questions do you have that you would like to see as a blog post?

 

You might also be interested in these past blog posts:

 

 The Query That Got Me Published

My Journey to Publication-Part 1

My Journey to Publication-Part 2

My Journey to Publication-Part 3

 

Sofia Speaks. About Character Interviews.

Yes, Sofia. You have their attention. Ready to make your announcement?

 Hey, look who showed up--completely unannounced.

Sofia, I never wrote you to be rude! Are you trying to embarrass me?

 *shakes head* Characters, right? Always so dramatic. Anyways, ahem…your announcement, Sofia?

 

Nope, don't think they do, Sofia. Isn't that the purpose here? You're suppose to give readers the details?

So...we have a fabulous character line up, featured right here every Monday, beginning October 21st. We will also post links and bios for those "author people" as well as some fabulous giveaways.

And if you’re one of those “author people” who are interested in having any of your characters featured on Sofia Speaks…shoot us an email!

*Note: Every interview will be supervised, by me, as Sofia tends to be easily sidetracked. Really, if I had a dollar for every time--oh look, a cupcake!