This is part of a series interviewing Society of Young Inklings’ mentors. This week we’re featuring Sonja Solter.
Tell us two truths and a lie… but keep us guessing! We’ll save the reveal for the end.
- I was born in a baby factory in Finland.
- I once owned two monitor lizards who didn’t get along.
- I’ve been to more countries than states.
What are you writing right now?
I recently started a low fantasy YA novel that I’m trying to pump out at faster than my usual snail’s pace for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month.) It’s about a girl who becomes part of a psychic team for a world-saving mission.
Where do you usually write?
The red chair is my writing spot when I want a light-filled, expansive, open space as it is upstairs in a loft overlooking the living room. I have a similar gray chair in my bedroom that helps me to focus when I feel like I need more containment in order to write.
If you could put two books together to make the perfect book for you, what would they be?
Hmmm. I think I’d like to combine a storyline I like with a different genre. I really like novels-in-free-verse, so it would be cool to read a Madeleine L’Engle book in that format.
Tell us about a mentor who made a difference in your creative life.
Phyllis Root helped me internalize the fact that playing with my writing—with words and scenes and even entire manuscripts—is part of the process so that no writing is ever “wasted.” Not only do writing skills build up with all writing, but even the specific characters and plots and details all intermix in one’s psyche and influence future stories.  So no worrying about whether or not what comes to you is “useful” right off the bat. You may keep it and you may not, but playing with it is fun and useful.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite foods are pad thai and dark chocolate. And to drink: Thai iced tea.
What was your first job?
My first job was picking tiny stones out of people’s driveways for five cents. My first job that didn’t involve me brainstorming with my next-door neighbor for ways to get cash was as a salesperson at a gift shop in the Mall of America. We had a wide range of items, from cheap gag gifts to quirky jewelry to expensive bronze statues. Also, a big band album on repeat in the store, which was kind of fun to dance to in the back when it wasn’t driving us mad.
What was your favorite book as a child?
My favorite book was A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L’Engle. There was spirituality, romance, and cool psychic communication with dolphins.
So, which was the lie?
I really was born in a baby factory in Finland. It’s a hospital that people call the “baby factory,” because only births happen there. I often use it for this game because it sounds like it can’t be true.
For the next two statements about me, I tried out a writing trick: choice details make fiction feel more real and believable to the reader. So, I thought maybe if I made my truth sound more bland (it’s actually 38 states and 40 countries, and it’s true) and put more detail in my lie (the kinds of lizards I’ve never had and their imaginary, contentious relationship), I might get away with it. What do you think? Did it work for a game like this?
Are you interested in mentorship through Society of Young Inklings? Click below to learn more! We offer a free mini-course that explains our teaching methodology as well as a free introductory call with our Mentorship Coordinator.
