Author Spotlight: Sandra Sookoo

I'm on the second week of my four-week blog tour with my amazing fellow Wild Rose writers and today I'm thrilled to welcome Sandra Sookoo, a multi-genre romance writer.

Before we start, here's a brief bio:

Sandra is a writer of romantic fiction. Her portfolio includes historical, contemporary, sci-fi and paranormal romances. She loves to blend genres and spice them up and often times will add humor as well.

After catching the writing bug at the young age of ten, she’s gone on to grow her unique writing style. She’s a regular contributor for the Paranormal Romantic’s blog and has a great time keeping things interesting at the Believing is Seeing blog.

When not immersed in creating new worlds and interesting characters, Sandra likes to read, bake and travel. Her favorite place to spend vacation hours is Walt Disney World. It’s where dreams come true and the soul can play. That suits her just fine.

Writing is her ultimate dream job.

You can write to Sandra at sandrasookoo@yahoo.com, visit her website at http:///www.sandrasookoo.com or look her up on Facebook and Twitter.

And now for the juicy details:

Maya Blake: At what age were you bitten by the writing bug?

Sandra Sookoo: When I was ten I “wrote” my first epic fantasy book using all the neighbourhood kids. It was written out longhand on notebook paper that I bound together with yarn through the punch holes LOL. Needless to say, it probably wouldn’t count as writing by today’s standards but that’s when I realized I could escape from my life through writing.

MB: Isn’t it amazing how most writers started writing from a very young age? What genre are you most comfortable writing in?

SS: Only romance and its sub-genres right now. I’m not much into non-fiction or YA stuff. They just don’t interest me at all. I like writing about the relationships between adult men and women and how this relationship works in the host of conflicts I can create in a given genre. I mean, everyone wants a happily ever after, right? I like to make my characters work for it.

MB: Ah, a fellow character torturer, lol. Writing-wise, where do you expect to be in five years’ time?

SS: Hmm, that’s difficult to say since the industry is in a state of flux right now. All I can say is that I intend to keep learning the craft, making each book I write stronger and better so that when the industry irons itself out, I’ll be ready to continue climbing.

MB: What’s your perfect writing habit e.g. do you prefer background noise (like music? Birdsong? tinkling waterfall?) or complete silence when writing?

SS: I usually like to have the TV on in the background for noise. Only sometimes do I listen to music when writing and that’s usually during a hard love scene LOL. I don’t like people to be in the room chattering nor do I like total silence. Since I work on a laptop I can pretty much work anywhere.

MB: If you had to pick just one, which do you think is the most important in a good story: character, voice, or plot? Why?

SS: Actually, I don’t believe a good book can be without any of these things. Sure, voice is important and there are times when I can’t read a book because something about the voice clashes with me. But plot and characters and both very essential to a great book. Neither are more important than the other.

MB: Writing is a consuming business. Do you ever get down time and how do you spend this time?

SS: There are times during the year when I don’t write. I’m learning this is a natural process that the body goes through to restore the mind and imagination where the energy resets itself. During these times, I like to bake or read until the mojo returns.

MB: Tell us about your latest book/project

SS: My latest book release is called
WEDGIE TALES AND PANTY LINES.


It’s a funny, contemporary novel about a woman, Kate Little, who becomes an reluctant underwear tester. Through the course of this program, she uncovers truths about herself and evolves into the confident woman those around her know she can be.

Blurb: When unassuming mail room worker Kate Little agrees to become an underwear tester for a marketing company, things get uncomfortable fast. Not only has she never worn “fancy” underpants before, she has to work closely with handsome marketing manager Bryan Eddleman and that’s enough to keep her in a constant state of confusion.

Trouble is Bryan’s competing with another manager for a promotion that hinges on the results of the test group. Kate can’t determine if his sudden interest is really in her or her surprisingly insightful weekly reports on foundation garments.

Add a jealous co-worker out to sabotage Kate’s budding love life, an overly helpful gay friend with nothing better to do than shove her into Bryan’s arms, and a rambunctious teacup dog to the chaos and you’ll have a typical day in Kate’s less than ordinary life.

The last thing she needs is panty lines.

MB: Ooh, I love the cover and title and the blurb is brilliant. As an author, what’s the best advice you’ve been given or would like to give new writers?

SS: The best advice is never give up. Once you realize that writing is hard work and you need to buckle down and actually put in the time, you’ll be okay. But you’re only shooting yourself in the foot if you don’t believe in yourself.

MB: And now here’s my last question. How do readers contact you?

You can link to me on Twitter, Facebook or my blogs. All of this information is on the front page of my website http://www.sandrasookoo.com/

Excerpt: “I’m sorry, but I can’t test your underwear.”

“That’s exactly why we need you for this project. You’re the everyday woman, Miss—I’m sorry. I didn’t quite catch your name.” A vivid green gaze held mine. “In fact, I don’t think we’ve ever been introduced. You don’t mind that we pulled you into this brainstorming session, do you? It’s just that I heard your comment about whose job it was to test the product and thought you’d be interested.” Full lips parted with his easy grin and revealed perfect teeth that practically screamed they’d seen years of braces.

“My name’s Kate. Kate Little.”

He nodded, and my stomach lurched. I mentally berated myself for the pleasure that gripped me because he approved of my name.

A snort from Pamela. “That’s funny. You’re hardly a little anything.”

My cheeks heated—this time from anger. “That’s it. I’m not going to hang around and take abuse from you underfed, over-tanned, rude people.” I shot out of the cushy leather chair and angled my way around the conference table, aware that everyone watched my departure.

Yeah, so I’m a thirty-year-old, plus-sized woman. I wear a size 16. It’s not a crime, and it’s not fat. It’s average. And, by the way, I’m just Kate. Not Katherine with a “K” or even with a “C,” and if you attempt to call me Katie, I’ll ignore you. If the nickname persists and I become annoyed, I’ll throw a pencil at you.

I paused at the head of the table to glare at the guy in charge. What’s-his-name in the tailored suit.

“Get someone else to be your guinea pig.”

Book video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bJyAd-Id9M
Publisher’s website: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Thank you so much for being visiting today, Sandra!