Sophie lives in North Yorkshire in the North of England with her husband and young daughter. She leads the MA in Creative Writing by Online/ Distance Learning at Teesside University. Today she kindly shares some things she's like us to know about her- behind the scenes.
Sophie Nicholls
If I’m really honest, I’m not sure I’d like anyone to know anything about me. I’m a writer. I’m much more comfortable with making up stories. The fun thing about being a writer is that, even if hundreds of thousands of people read your books, you can still have a secret life. But anyway, here goes…
I sometimes eat chocolate for breakfast. It has to be the very dark kind, with minimum 75% cocoa content, so I’m a chocolate snob as well as an addict.
I love swimming outdoors. My idea of bliss is swimming in the sea.
I hate socks. I always go barefoot around the house and I’m never happier than when it’s warm enough to ditch the dreaded tights or wiggle my toes in the grass.
I dream of living in Italy. When I was sixteen, I went to school there for two years and I’m always trying to find ways of getting back. It’s where I feel most at home. Perhaps it’s also connected to the barefoot thing.
I like being alone. Obviously, this is ideal for a writer. I don’t get much chance to be on my own these days but it’s something I crave. I think we don’t talk enough about how important solitude and silence is for so many of us. I love being with my friends and family, dancing to loud music and laughing with my little girl but I also love sitting at my desk, reading and walking in the woods on my own. It helps me to relax, breathe and come up with new ideas.
I love dancing. 70s disco, soul, funk – any excuse to get up and boogie. I love dancing around the living room with my little girl and I’m very aware that I have to make the most of it because one day very soon, she’s going to be utterly embarrassed by me and my dancing.
I’m proud to be from Yorkshire. Come and visit this beautiful part of the world, if you haven’t already.
I’m extremely short sighted. All those years of reading under the covers with the lights off as a small child have damaged my eyesight irrevocably. My night vision is particularly bad. Without glasses or contact lenses, I bang into walls and trip over my own feet. I have no idea what my husband looks like in the dark.
I’m married to a man with a second heart. My husband had a heart transplant on 1 Dec 2016. He had been ill for a very long time. He’s doing well and we’re so very grateful to the generous family that gave us this wonderful second chance. If you haven’t already, I’d urge anyone to consider signing the NHS National Organ Donor Register at https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ and discuss your wishes with your family. Thank you.
