Get ready to learn more about the book The Sound of Her Smile in this discussion with sapphic author Sara Scott.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Sara Scott about The Sound of Her Smile, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Second Chance category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write The Sound of Her Smile?
The first book (“The Touch of Her Voice”) of my trilogy dealt with infidelity. “The Sound of Her Smile” (the second book in the trilogy) take the characters through coming to terms with what happened and creating their opportunity for a second chance. I felt that it was necessary to give the characters the chance to reconcile and see if they could forge a new version of their relationship.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
My favorite character is Jensy Willett. In many ways she is similar to me. We both tend to be very emotional and spin on things that are bothering us. We tend to beat ourselves up when we make a mistake. But I think we are both good-hearted people who feel deeply and really want to do the right thing.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
I wanted a title that fit with the title of the first book. The titles have a sense as their first main word that is juxtaposed with a noun that is not typically thought of with that sense: “The Touch of Her Voice,” “The Sound of Her Smile,” The Taste of Her Silence.” I wanted the titles to be unusual, as well as related to each other…so that a reader would know they were part of the same trilogy.
If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
The sequel (“The Taste of Her Silence”) has already been published. It is the final volume and the final, devastating challenge in the life of Jensy Willett.
What is your favorite line from your book?
I reached across the chasm that teemed with my demons and rested my cheek against my wife’s knee. My heart ached for both of us.
What is your writing process like?
I am more of a pantser. I have a general idea of where the novel is headed, but no plot to bind me to it. There are times when I randomly write scenes that interest me, and then I weave them together into the final story. I have also started at the beginning of a novel and written straight through. But whatever way I have written it, I am definitely a pantser.
Do you have any odd writing quirks?
I write my initial version in long hand on loose leaf notebook paper. The second writing is in a Moleskine notebook and only on the right hand side. (I make corrections on the left hand side). Then, the final step is to type what I have written on my laptop.
When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?
I listen to music. Most frequently I listen to work by Gavin Luke or Howard Harper-Barnes.
If you could be mentored by a famous author (living or not), who would it be?
I would love to be mentioned by Harper Lee. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is my all-time favorite book and would love to have her recognize my writing.
Do you feel bad putting your characters through the wringer?
I don’t really feel bad when I put characters through the wringer. My purpose in doing that is to give eventually give the readers a glimpse into how difficult situations could/might be handled.
Have you ever hated one of your characters?
I disliked the character Carol Novak. She was definitely a character that I wanted the readers to dislike as well. Carol was a predator who had immediately set her eye on Sophie. Carol and Jensy had a mutual dislike of each other. There was no redeeming of Carol Novak.
Have you ever fallen in love with one of your characters?
Yes. I fell in love with Sophie. She was kind, intelligent, gorgeous, responsive, and totally in love with Jensy. One of my friends once said, “Everyone wants a Sophie.” That is true for me as well. I created her to be the one I would want, if I could choose.
What type of books do you enjoy reading the most?
When I was younger I really enjoyed reading spy novels. Now, I am drawn to novels that center around World War One or World War Two. I love history and particularly that time frame.
Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?
I love “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “The Great Gatsby.” They inspired me and still inspire me. I love the way Harper Lee and F. Scott Fitzgerald use language. To me their writing is beautifully expressive and evocative.
What books did you grow up reading?
I read voraciously as a child. “A Wrinkle in Time,” “David Copperfield,” spy stories, and novels about sports. I think reading so many books shaped my love of words and the magic they can provide.
