Friday, March 30, 2012

CHRW Meet The Member:

Sophie Moss

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?
Since January 2012

Have you ever been to Ireland, Scotland, Wales etc? Tell us about this trip and what you came away with afterwards.I studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, but it was a chance trip to the magical, windswept island of Inishbofin that inspired my first novel. The moment I stepped off the ferry, I felt like I was home. It was the strangest feeling: being so far from home and yet sensing I belonged. I wrote an essay about the quirky villagers and the haunting beauty of the island and won the top writing honor awarded to a single graduating senior at the University of Vermont because of it. The summer after graduating, I discovered the movie, The Secret of Roan Inish, and first learned of the selkie legends. Intrigued by the thought of seals who can transform into beautiful women on land, I decided to weave my love of romance novels, Ireland, and fairy tales into one delicious novel!

What area did you grow up in?
I grew up in a sleepy, seaside town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I spent my summers swimming in the Chesapeake Bay and chasing my dogs through soybean fields. Since there wasn’t much else to do, I also spent a lot of time reading. I discovered my first romance novel when I was nineteen and devoured the entire story (Nora Roberts, Sea Swept) in a single afternoon curled up on a blanket by the water. I’ve been hooked on love stories ever since!

When you are not writing, what are your hobbies, passions, etc?
I love to garden and spend time outside. I think biking is the secret to happiness and I competed in my first Olympic-distance triathlon last summer. I’m toying with the idea of doing another one. J I have a strange knack for finding four-leaf clovers and admit to regularly indulging in a mid-day pint of Guinness.

If you could have any super hero power, what would it be?
I have a recurring dream since childhood that I can breathe underwater. It’s such an incredible feeling of freedom and weightlessness. I've heard others dream of flying, but I only dream of water and of being surrounded by it. The ocean is so magical and mysterious. I wish I had the power to breathe underwater in real life!

14 comments:

Victoria Roberts said...

Welcome to the clan, Sophie! My cousins live there and we would bike ride to the Chesapeake and ice-skate in the winter.

Rachel Kall said...

Hi! Can't wait for your next book! If people haven't read the Selkie Spell they should check it out. LOVED it.

Sarah Hoss said...

Welcome to the clan and I hope you will love it here!

Dawn Marie Hamilron said...

Hi, Sophie. Nice to meet you! You sound like a true water spirit. Do you have any Selkie blood in you? :) Enjoyed reading your post and learning a wee bit about you.

Dawn Marie Hamilron said...
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Dawn Marie Hamilron said...
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Paisley Kirkpatrick said...

Hi Sophie. So nice to get to know you better. I loved The Secret of Roan Inish and watch it over and over. The scenery alone would have hooked me. :)

Good luck if you enter the triathion again.

Pat McDermott said...

Hi Sophie! Great to learn more about you and how Ireland influenced your writing. I'll be looking for your Selkie Spell.

CHRIS MURRAY said...

I absolutely loved The Selkie Spell. Couldn't put it down. Looking forward to your next book which I hear is coming out this summer. You can feel your love for Ireland in your writing.

Renee Vincent said...

Hey Sophie, it worked this time!
So glad to meet you and I must say, I love your dream about water. Perhaps you were a mermaid in a previous life....(if that were possible)

Have a great weekend!

Chicks of Characterization said...

Hi Sophie!

Welcome to the clan! It's so nice to get to know you - and we have a few things in common.

I was born and raised in Pasadena, Maryland, and spent my entire life swimming in the bay as well! Now live in Delaware and have a soybean field right across the street! LOL :O)

Love your recurring dream- you must have been a selkie in a previous life!

Happy to get to know you!

Andrea :O)

derekd said...

Hi Sophie, welcome to the clan. I admire all triathletes, but Olympic distance is serious business. I'm with you on the Guinness, good most anytime of day.

I wish you success with your writing

Sophie Moss said...

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome. I’m excited to be part of the Celtic Hearts family. :)

Victoria-Let me know the next time you’re in the Chesapeake Bay area. I’d love to get together!

Rachel-Thank you. I’m so happy you liked The Selkie Spell.

Sarah-Thank you. I’m sure I will.
Dawn Marie-I’m fairly certain I have at least a wee bit of selkie blood in me.

Paisley-Love your name by the way. :) Happy to find another Secret of Roan Inish fan. Such a magical movie.

Pat-Thank you. Ireland is a most enchanting muse.

Chris-The second story in The Seal Island Trilogy, The Selkie Enchantress, is coming out this summer! I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as it’s available.

Renee-Happy blogger finally decided to behave. LOL. I was obsessed with mermaids when I was young, but that was before I discovered selkies.

Chicks of Characterization-Are you a members of WRW? Maybe we’ve crossed paths before…? Love that you live in the land of soybean fields and muddy waters. The slow pace does wonders for the soul.

Derek-It’s best to start training for an Olympic-distance triathlon without a clue of what you’re getting into. LOL. Hope to have a Guinness with you someday. Slainte.

Alexa said...

Great to get to know you, Sophie! Breathing underwater...what a cool and different idea!