Today
I’d like to introduce you to Sonya Ray, a southeast Missouri girl who is a
prolific writer. Growing up among the famous “Throwed Rolls,” high cotton, and
the Cards she managed to raise two kids and considers them her treasured gift.
Working as a full-time Administrative Assistant with free time dedicated to her
family, Sonya still manages to work on her book series that has captured the
hearts of readers. Her first installment, Sweet Tea was how I met her. It was published
in October 2013 and there’s been no looking back. Several libraries in
Southeast Missouri carry her books as does The Book Rack in Cape Girardeau,
Missouri. Welcome, Sonya!
I’d like to introduce you to Sonya Ray, a southeast Missouri girl who is a
prolific writer. Growing up among the famous “Throwed Rolls,” high cotton, and
the Cards she managed to raise two kids and considers them her treasured gift.
Working as a full-time Administrative Assistant with free time dedicated to her
family, Sonya still manages to work on her book series that has captured the
hearts of readers. Her first installment, Sweet Tea was how I met her. It was published
in October 2013 and there’s been no looking back. Several libraries in
Southeast Missouri carry her books as does The Book Rack in Cape Girardeau,
Missouri. Welcome, Sonya!
You have some very interesting
characters, especially Lizzie. Tell me more about her and how she spoke to you.
My daughter was the one who asked me to write astory about a girl who lives on a ranch, who loves horses, and all the stuff
her and her friends do. That is how Sweet Tea began. I wanted to write about
the area in which I lived, but I wanted to write outside of the box and add a
twist. I can tell you my kids were very surprised when their mother wrote about vampires. I believe my daughter was a junior in high school at
the time, so I had plenty of resources to pull from. But Lizzie is not based
off of anyone. She is a creation, I guess you might say. She is from money, but
loves the simple things in life such as fishing, being with friends, and sweet
tea. In the world view, she is considered a socialite, but she does not concern
herself with such things. She has a whole other world that surrounds her, and
even protects her, but she is not inclined to believe in such nonsense—it is
not logical. But she does come to terms that she is different and this series
is her finding her true self and accepting herself, even if that makes her
different.
I
know that you have another job besides author. How do you manage writing with
such a busy life?
know that you have another job besides author. How do you manage writing with
such a busy life?
Priortize, prioritize, prioritize.
I love to write and I wish I could spend more time
writing, learning about my craft, promoting other authors, etc…But as you said,
I work a full time job, commuting an hour a day, and I have a junior in high
school. Needless to say, my family comes first. I miss a lot of time promoting
my own work and mingling with other authors, but I don’t want to miss any time
with that junior.
writing, learning about my craft, promoting other authors, etc…But as you said,
I work a full time job, commuting an hour a day, and I have a junior in high
school. Needless to say, my family comes first. I miss a lot of time promoting
my own work and mingling with other authors, but I don’t want to miss any time
with that junior.
I think you just have to have your priorities in
order and you stay peaceful and productive. If I start losing my peace, then it
is time to reevaluate and make a change. My family is supportive and during
deadlines or when a book comes out, they understand I need to focus my
attention on the book, but sometimes it’s not that easy!
order and you stay peaceful and productive. If I start losing my peace, then it
is time to reevaluate and make a change. My family is supportive and during
deadlines or when a book comes out, they understand I need to focus my
attention on the book, but sometimes it’s not that easy!
The
trilogy is a terrific way to keep the love and momentum going with your novels.
What kind of projects are you working on now? Will you stick to the paranormal
genre?
trilogy is a terrific way to keep the love and momentum going with your novels.
What kind of projects are you working on now? Will you stick to the paranormal
genre?
The Three Crowns series is actually a seven-novel
series. The next installment, Absolution, Vol IV, is scheduled to come out the
first of the year. The whole series should be complete by the first of 2016.
series. The next installment, Absolution, Vol IV, is scheduled to come out the
first of the year. The whole series should be complete by the first of 2016.
I do have other books waiting to be picked up after
this series is complete. I have a YA/Paranormal four-novel series, the start of
two more New Adult Paranormal books, and a Chic Lit all in the works.
this series is complete. I have a YA/Paranormal four-novel series, the start of
two more New Adult Paranormal books, and a Chic Lit all in the works.
I enjoy writing Paranormal because, well, it is
fiction. I can make up something new that no one has ever heard of and make it
viable in this make believe world that I am writing. But I do not want to limit
my writing to Paranormal. I am excited about my Chic Lit novel. It is edgy and
full of drama. We will see what happens when the time comes for that to come
out.
fiction. I can make up something new that no one has ever heard of and make it
viable in this make believe world that I am writing. But I do not want to limit
my writing to Paranormal. I am excited about my Chic Lit novel. It is edgy and
full of drama. We will see what happens when the time comes for that to come
out.
What
prompted you to write paranormal?
prompted you to write paranormal?
Life is tough. I didn’t want to write about everyday
things. I wanted to create new kinds of people. New worlds. I wanted to keep it
fiction.
things. I wanted to create new kinds of people. New worlds. I wanted to keep it
fiction.
Tell
the readers something about yourself that might surprise them.
the readers something about yourself that might surprise them.
Something the readers may not know is that I am a
cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2000 and our world
changed. Everything changed. Had several years of working through different
things that the cancer brought on, but we made it through and I have been
cancer free for fourteen years.
cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2000 and our world
changed. Everything changed. Had several years of working through different
things that the cancer brought on, but we made it through and I have been
cancer free for fourteen years.
You’ve got to tell us more about Broken Boundaries, Volume III.
Broken Boundaries, Volume III
Elizabeth Lancaster has changed, but her true being
remains in the shadows, waiting to be revealed. Lizzie continues to muddle
through life in her human world, but the Night World feels her growing power,
and there are those who will do anything to stop her, and obtain that power for
themselves.
remains in the shadows, waiting to be revealed. Lizzie continues to muddle
through life in her human world, but the Night World feels her growing power,
and there are those who will do anything to stop her, and obtain that power for
themselves.
While Lizzie concentrates on her human life and the
new addition to her family, Cain Atchley and others around her become
increasingly vigilant in trying to keep Lizzie safe, alive, and out of the
clutches of the Seekers from the Night World. But an impossible traitor,
someone she has known all her life, manages to breach the wall of trust Lizzie
has with her friends, bringing her face to face with her enemies. The traitor
wants Lizzie to know about the true nature of the world that surrounds her.
This shakes Lizzie’s faith in her friends, and alters the boundaries that keep
her safe, placing her in mortal danger.
new addition to her family, Cain Atchley and others around her become
increasingly vigilant in trying to keep Lizzie safe, alive, and out of the
clutches of the Seekers from the Night World. But an impossible traitor,
someone she has known all her life, manages to breach the wall of trust Lizzie
has with her friends, bringing her face to face with her enemies. The traitor
wants Lizzie to know about the true nature of the world that surrounds her.
This shakes Lizzie’s faith in her friends, and alters the boundaries that keep
her safe, placing her in mortal danger.
It
has been so much fun getting to know you better. I know readers are going to
enjoy your work.
has been so much fun getting to know you better. I know readers are going to
enjoy your work.
For
the rest of you remember, some Sweet Tea is good anytime of day!
the rest of you remember, some Sweet Tea is good anytime of day!
Sweet
Tea, Vol. I
Tea, Vol. I
North,
Vol. II
Vol. II
Listed
below is how you can find Sonya Ray on social media.
below is how you can find Sonya Ray on social media.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaySonya
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sonyalearay/
0 Responses
Sorry I'm a little late to getting around to reading this, Sonya, but I think you have an interesting life. It's hard to work full time, raise a family, and write at the same time. I'm particularly impressed at the number of works you're completing. I have found it hard to complete just two novels in the last four years.