Meet The Boxers of Brook Street! Book one in Sandra Sookoo’s new series is available now, and she was kind enough to answer some questions for us.
You can get your copy of this emotional historical romance HERE!
Did you always know you wanted to be an author? What is the first story you remember writing? How did you get from there to where you are today?
Absolutely! I started writing stories at the age of ten. It was an epic fantasy featuring all the kids in the neighborhood. Needless to say, once I started writing “for real” I burned that book. I didn’t start writing for publication until 2007 when I got laid off from my job in real estate. Since I couldn’t find another job in the field (recession) my husband suggested that I try to become a published author because there was no better time. I received my first two contracts in the fall of 2008, and have never looked back. Changed genres, yes, but have never looked back.
What is the most inspiring place you’ve visited and has it shown up in one of your books?
I don’t know if it’s “inspiring” but when I wrote contemporary romcoms, I set many of them in Indianapolis, Indiana where I’m from. Every once in a while I’ll do tours for friends or family when we’re downtown and show places where I set books (and even some of my early historicals that were set in Indiana)
How much research do you do into the time period and places you write about? Do you have any experience dressing in character or participating in living history situations or are you more a fan of libraries and online resources?
I always do research on every book I write, no matter what. Research is vital to writing. We do actually have a living history museum in Indianapolis called Conner Prairie where it’s fun to watch the actors and talk with them, but I have no personal experience. I once went to a book signing in Regency dress, so there’s that…
What drew you to the era you write in? Is there something about the time period you think most people don’t know about? What do you think would be the most difficult part about living in that period?
I started publishing books in the Regency era in 2012. Why? Because I wanted the challenge, and I write about peoples and plots that I do because there were so many peoples and mental health challenges that were never mentioned in this genre at the time. I thought that wasn’t fair, so I did it. I pushed the envelope, and still am doing it. Everyone deserves love, regardless of what they’re struggling with that makes them “different” The most difficult part of living in the Regency? No hot running water, no Advil, no Hershey’s bars LOL But dang, the guys looked way better in their clothes than guys of today do.
What are your favorite kind of characters to write? Do you have a specific trope that you’re drawn too?
Every character I write is my favorite LOL But I like broken ones, or folks who think their differences make them less. I show them it doesn’t 😉 My favorite trope? Second chance love and probably grumpy/sunshine.
Where is your favorite place to write? Does it change depending on where you are in the process?
I don’t know that I have a favorite place to write. I just write wherever I am. However, I do have an office, so that’s where I spend much of my time. And no, the place doesn’t matter. The writing does.
Which comes first for you: the plot or the characters?
It depends on the book. It’s whatever is speaking more loudly to me, but I do an very detailed chapter by chapter outline of each book before I ever start writing, so I know exactly what’s happening at any given time.
Do you know where the story is going before you begin, or does it come to you as you write? Do scenes come to you fully formed or are you as surprised as the reader?
LOL See the above answer regarding outlines. Sometimes I dream fully formed scenes. Oddly enough, when I suffer migraines (which is often these days, thank perimenopause) that’s when my muse gives me fully formed scenes because I’m not sleeping anyway. So that’s awesome. I never leave my writing to chance. There is no time in my schedule to not know where a book/story is going.
Does your writing process include any kind of ritual? Story specific playlists, tea, or candles, for example?
No rituals, no playlists, etc. I just sit down to write. Often, I don’t like music in the background but sometimes I’ll put on Disney vloggers from YouTube on for background noise. Oh, and I do like a full tumbler of ice water on the side.
Do you write better in the morning or evening? How do you handle the distractions of working from home, especially if you’re sharing the space with others?
I’m a morning writer. In fact, many days, I make sure the writing comes first before anything else like housework, errands, etc. But some days, I have to do errands first. Working from home is kinda crap sometimes because there ARE so many distractions, and as a woman, you feel like you have to handle everything around the home too. Of course, these days, I just don’t care so if I don’t do housework or laundry, it doesn’t get done LOL
When it’s difficult to physically travel, how do you find ways to escape?
I write. I always write. That’s how I escape, especially these days. Sometimes I’ll read, but I find that reading just fires up my muse LOL
From all your books, who is your favorite hero and why?
Oh, there are far too many. Recently, I’ve fallen hard for the Duke of Ravenhurst from Ravenhurst’s Return (Disreputable Dukes of Club Damnation series) or if we’re talking throwback, that would be Ambrose, the marquess from Clad in Midnight (Colors of Scandal series). Or, I have a soft spot for Percival, the Marquess of Bradenton from A Ghostly Affair (Diamonds of London series) Or there is always Finn from Heart of a Storm (Storme Brothers series) We might be here all day LOL
What do you like to read when you’re not reading in your genre? Did you have a favorite book or series when you were growing up?
I’m a mystery girl, so I’ll read those. I don’t like reading in the same genre I write in to avoid people saying I might have “copied” a book. Of course I would never do that. But contemporary mysteries and thrillers are fun. Growing up, I adored the Anne of Green Gables series. All of LM Montogomery’s work, actually… until I graduated to historical romances (or bodice rippers at the time) No going back!
