Sophie Kinsella is an international bestselling writer. She is the author of many number one bestsellers, including the hugely popular Shopaholic series. She has also written seven bestselling novels as Madeleine Wickham. She lives in London with her husband and family.
A Q&A with Sophie about her novel, Finding Audrey
Why did you decide to write a YA novel?
I had in my head three characters: Audrey, a teenage girl with social anxiety; Frank, a teenage boy with a computer game obsession; and Anne, their mother, trying to control and support her family as best she can. I wanted to write a book with both pathos and comedy. As I started to tell Audrey's story, it became apparent that I was telling a story which would appeal to young adults, and it turned into a young adult book. However, I think of it also as a book for anyone who has suffered from anxiety or bullying, played computer games, had a child who plays too many computer games . . . or just lived in a family!
How did you come up with the character of Audrey?
Creating Audrey was one of those flashes of inspiration. As soon as I started to think about her, she seemed fully formed. I could see her and hear her and was desperate to write about her. She suffers from social anxiety, a condition I know about, but she also has a positive, quirky worldview and a great sense of humor. I'm very familiar with teenagers, having two of my own — but most importantly, I remember being a teenager myself.
What do you hope readers take away from the book?
I hope readers laugh and are touched and most of all are inspired by Audrey's journey. She is so brave and good-humored, and her story is a positive one. I hope that anyone suffering from anxiety, bullying, or even just teenage woes can take heart from her. I also hope the book entertains parents of teens. I think they'll read it in quite a different way!
Author's Website: https://www.sophiekinsella.co.uk/
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