Sophie McKenzie interview

Chicklish is proud to interview Sophie McKenzie, author of Girl, Missing, winner of the Red House Children's Books prize in the Older Readers category. (Chicklish review here.)

Hello, Sophie! We loved Girl, Missing. What inspired you to write it?

I was inspired to write Girl, Missing, by the real life case of Ben Needham, a toddler who went missing years ago and who was never found. I came across his pictures  - both an actual photo of him as a small child and an age-enhanced version of the teenager he would be now - on a missing children's website. And it struck me: what if Ben Needham visited this site? What if he saw these pictures and the biographical data and thought, 'Could this be me?' What would he do? What would I do?' That's what got me started on what became Girl, Missing.

Lauren goes through some harrowing experiences. Was it difficult, emotionally, to put yourself in her shoes?

No, to be honest, it wasn't. I mean I did go through all the ups and downs of her adventures with her so I had to feel all her emotions, but then that's what I love about writing (and reading too, for that matter) - the opportunity to live in someone else's head for a bit!

Can you recommend a book that you loved as a teenager and/or that you love now?

When I was a teenager there were no books written exclusively for that age group - or, at least, none that I was aware of. In fact I stopped reading for a few years. I'd say that between the ages of about 13 and 16 I read very little other than the books we were studying at school. Of those I fell completely in love with Jane Eyre and everything written by Jane Austen. And, yes, I still love those stories today.

Can you tell us something about your next book?

My next book is called Six Steps to a Girl. It's published by Simon and Schuster and will be on sale from August. It's the first of three books about a boy called Luke and the ups and downs of his relationship with a girl, Eve, in his older sister's class. The story is written from Luke's point of view and explores the six steps he takes to try and get Eve to go out with him. It was a great challenge to write as a 15-year-old boy - but one which I enjoyed very much!

Thank you very much, Sophie McKenzie, and we're really looking forward to the release of Six Steps to a Girl on August 6th 2007

Comments

[Mariana Faithful]

It was a real shock to see that you have had been inspired by the Ben Needham Abduction, when you wrote Girl Missing.
The agony to find Ben still goes on for his family.
Please look at his new age progression image, on his websites.
http://benneedham18.blogspot.com
http://benneedham.blogspot.com
http://www.youtube.com/BenNeedhamAbduction
Mariana Faithful
Needham family representative

[Georgia]

Hiya! I love the six steps series and I am SO glad there is a third! Please keep on going! = )

[Daisy]

Hey, I have just finished Blood Ties and I absoltely loved it! I honestly could not put the book down! I have also read Girl Missing, which I loved just as much! I was just wondering if the idea of Blood Ties being made into a film had ever been spoken about; I would defiantely go and watch it! I really think it should be made :)

I can't wait to read another one of your books!
Keep writing-your amazing! :D

[Nicole]

hola mi amigo Sophie! I loved reading all your books! I HAVE BTW READ ALL OF THEM! I met u b4 when u came to my school i showed u around and payed £40 to buy all the books for sale.

[Scott Morrison]

Please note that the details above of the Ben Needham websites are now outdated or incorrect. The correct details for the Official sites are: www.helpfindben.co.uk and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/helpfindben and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/findbenneedham. Thanks