Sam Sotto recently published her second novel, Love and Gravity. It is a love story that happens 300 years apart. In the book, music opens the walls to unrecognizable worlds, Isaac Newton is a hottie and love across time is always a real possibility. Love and Gravity and her first novel, Before Ever After, are both published by Penguin Random House, the biggest trade publisher in the world. Let Sam give you a peek into her inspiring, imaginative and courageous life.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got to where you are now.
In an alternate universe, I am Dr. Who’s faithful companion, traveling through time with him and constantly rearranging furniture on the TARDIS. In this one, I’m a professional daydreamer, a wife, and a mom to two not-so-little humans and a Golden Retriever named Tennant. Oh, and yeah, I also write books.
The book part, kind of happened by accident. I had quit my corporate job to be a full-time school bus driver to my kids. While my son was in class, I parked myself at Starbucks for three hours. Since I didn’t want to pay for Wifi, I needed to find some other way to entertain myself. I decided to write a book. I didn’t know anything about creative writing, but I figured that it was the cheapest way to kill time. At the end of the school year, I had a finished novel in my hands. An unplanned stop at Booksale sent me on a course to international publication. I found a book called The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting Published and that’s how I learned how to find a literary agent. I wound up signing with an incredible agent named Stephanie Rostan of the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency in New York. I polished the book with her guidance and she eventually landed me a book deal with Penguin Random House, the largest trade publisher in the world. My debut novel was Before Ever After.
What are you currently doing?
I’m revising my latest manuscript based on my agent’s comments. Wish me luck!
What’s the most courageous thing you have ever done?
When I was in my twenties, the easy answer was jumping out of a plane.
Twenty years later, I would have to say that the bravest thing I’ve done is writing Love And Gravity. After my second book was rejected by my publisher, committing another two years of my life to writing another book without any guarantee of publication was extremely terrifying. Every word I wrote in Love and Gravity was a battle I won against insecurity, anxiety, and depression.
What was the most challenging part about it? How did you get through the challenge?
The most daunting part was the uncertainty that loomed over me during the entire process. I wrote the story without knowing what would become of it.
I overcame this fear by changing my mindset about the book. I shifted my goal from “getting published” to writing a book that stretched me as a person.
How do you deal with overwhelm?
In writing: One. Word. At. A. Time.
In life: I organize the heck out of anything I can get my hands on. I find organizing very calming and satisfying. Call me if you need help with your kitchen cabinets.
How do you motivate yourself when life gets blah?
I read books I wish I wrote.
What are your self-care rituals?
Sunblock, sunblock, and sunblock.
What three things are you most grateful for?
My family, my friends, and the people who enjoy my stories.
If you could give advice to yourself five years ago, what would you tell her?
You are not defined by your success or your failures. These are moments in time, signposts on the road you’re on. You are a traveler. Your journey ends only when you stop.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
I live by what my dad would tell us as kids: Things happen twice. First in your mind, the second in reality.
Are there other dreams you want to fulfill?
I’d like to write a book that would live beyond me.
What are your favorite…
…apps? Kindle
…books? Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
…movies? Princess Bride, Purple Rose of Cairo, Guardians of the Galaxy
…blogs? Sadly, no time to read any blogs at the moment.
…quote of the day? “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”—Eleanor Roosevelt
…Instagrammer/Instagram account? My daughter’s
…go-to/no-fail outfit? A nice watch. It makes any outfit look good.
Thank you for the inspiration, your kindness and generosity, Sam. (Incidentally, Sam will be one of the writing mentors during Write Away, the writing and life coaching retreat.)
Her Extraordinary Life is a series of interviews with amazing women I have been inspired by, who have made courageous choices and are living extraordinary lives.
