Sophie Masson

answers the Usual Questions

Sophie Masson

Sophie has had more than 50 novels published in Australia and internationally, mostly for young adults and children, but also for adults, including the internationally-selling Forest of Dreams, an adult fantasy trilogy based on the life and work of the medieval French writer Marie de France. Much of her work for children and young adults has also been in the fantasy genre, but she has also written ghost stories, mysteries, thrillers, family stories and a graphic novel(The Secret Army: Operation Loki).

Has your interaction with fans, for example, at conventions, affected your work?

Sure, especially indirectly -- sometimes people can highlight things you hadn't thought of, or a stray remark even can send you into an interesting train of thought which sparks off inspiration. I go into a lot of schools too for visits and kids in particular can come up with amazing things. what I love too is that you can spark off wonderful ideas in your fans too!

Is there any particular incident (a letter, a meeting, a comment that stands out?

An extraordinary visit at a school where all the children had drawn their interpretations of the 'boggles' --supernatural pests that appear in my book, The Boggle Hunters. They'd just loved the book so much(even the kids who normally hated reading!) they all wanted to create their own versions -- a very humbling and exciting experience!

Do you have a favourite author or book (or writer or film or series) that has influenced you or that you return to?

Many, too many to list in full! I have always been very influenced by fairy tales, folk tales, legends, and as a child would not read anything that was too 'real-world'(though adventures in the real world were fine!) I'm also very influenced by classic literature -- Jules Verne, Alexandre Dumas, the Brontes, Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, as well as too many modern writers to name! I also love film and TV series -- especially crime and a very particular kind of speculative fiction series -- adored Lost, for instance.

Who is the person you would most like to be trapped in a lift with? or a spaceship?

My gorgeous husband!

Who is the person you would most DISlike to be trapped in a lift with? Or a spaceship?

Any monologuing bore!

What would you pack for space? (Is there a food, beverage, book, teddy bear, etc that you couldn't do without?)

I wouldn't want to go without my husband, a mobile or computer to be in touch with my (grown up) kids as often as possible -- as well as friends and other family! -- lots of books packed on an e-reader and lots of excellent food -- and wine!

What is the most important thing you would like to get/achieve from your work?

I already get it -- enormous satisfaction at living the writing adventure every day -- and giving my readers pleasure and entertainment.

What is the special satisfaction of your work?

Making my living doing what I was born to do. How lucky can you be?

submitted by Sophie Masson

5 August, 2013

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Just the facts:
Born: Jakarta, Indonesia, of French parents.
Resides: New England region, NSW.
Bibliography/Awards: I've written more than 50 novels since my first two, The House in the Rainforest(UQP, adult fiction) and Fire in the Sky(Angus and Robertson, children's fiction) were published in the same year, 1990. My most recent novels are Scarlet in the Snow(Random House Australia, YA fairy tale novel, May 2013) and under the pen-name of Jenna Austen, The Romance Diaries: Ruby(ABC Books, romantic comedy for tweens/teens,Jan 2013) and the Romance Diaries: Stella(ABC books, romantic comedy for tweens/teens, August 2013). I won the Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature in the 2011 NSW Premier's Literary Awards for my historical novel for kids, The Hunt for Ned Kelly, and also won the YA section of the Aurealis Awards for Science Fiction and Fantasy in 2002 for my alternative history novel, The Hand of Glory. I've also had books shortlisted for lots of awards.