Best-selling author Samantha Sotto. ARCHIVE

Best-selling author Samantha Sotto never imagined her writing journey would begin in a coffee shop. The self-proclaimed "accidental writer" penned her debut novel, Before Ever After, while waiting for her son to finish class. This romantic and fantastical tale of love and immortality captured readers' imaginations worldwide, establishing Samantha as a formidable voice in contemporary fiction. Now, Samantha is back with her latest novel, Water Moon, a story that explores the delicate balance between two worlds through the lens of a mysterious pawnshop in Tokyo where one can sell their regrets. In an exclusive interview with Expat Media, Samantha reveals her evolution as a writer for more than a decade. “I’ve worked hard to improve my craft,” she reflects. "I hope this has translated into a better experience for readers when they engage with my stories." This journey is evident in the nuanced storytelling of Water Moon, which has already been translated into nearly twenty languages.

A writer’s evolution

Reflecting on her growth as a writer, Samantha describes her early days as a time of learning and exploration. Fifteen years ago, she was just discovering her voice, navigating the complexities of character and plot development. Today, she writes with a refined style, shaped by years of experience and dedication. "Rather than being altered in an abrupt or dramatic way, my life has slowly evolved," she says. "While there have certainly been milestones such as becoming a wife and mother and switching from the corporate life to writing, I view these as all parts of the same river I have always been on." For Samantha, writing is more than a profession—it's a way of life. "There is never a moment that I am not writing," she says. "A huge part of writing is observing, so even when I’m not typing on my computer, I’m hoarding details and ideas." Despite this constant creative activity, she knows the challenges of being an author all too well, especially the dreaded writer's block. Her remedy? Stepping away from her laptop to perform simple tasks like tidying up, allowing her mind to refresh. Which book would you love to be made into a movie? “I’d love to see Water Moon brought to life on screen. Mackenyu, Anna Sawai, and Moeka Hoshi would be some of the actors in my dream cast,” Samantha shares.

Water Moon: A new chapter

Samantha’s latest novel, Water Moon, tells the story of a woman who inherits a peculiar pawnshop in Tokyo, which sits on the border of two worlds—the familiar and the magical. The book explores themes of personal choice, destiny, and the human journey, making it a must-read for anyone looking for new beginnings. "I wrote it thinking that it would be my last book, but it turned out to be the book that would breathe new life into my writing career," she explains. The success of Water Moon has been nothing short of remarkable. "Everything from it getting sold in a significant deal via a pre-empt in the US to being translated into close to twenty languages through various auctions around the world has been incredible," she shares. The book’s journey from manuscript to bestseller is a testament to her skill as a storyteller and her ability to captivate readers globally. Looking ahead, Samantha continues to draw inspiration from her own journey and the stories yet to be told. With her books now reaching readers around the world, she remains dedicated to crafting narratives that explore the human experience in all its complexity. As she says, "I am truly grateful for the privilege of being able to daydream for a living."

Candid with Samantha

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning? I get a lot of my ideas during the night and so when I wake up, I can’t wait to jump back into the story I’m writing before I forget them. How many hours a day do you write? Sixteen hours. There is never a moment that I am not writing. Where do you go to write? I have a desk, but I find myself moving from place to place around the house throughout the day. I’m not married to a single spot. Out of all the characters in your novels, who is your favourite and why? I can’t choose. That’s like asking me to choose between my children. Ha! Ha! If you can sell your biggest regret to a pawnshop, what would it be? I don’t believe in regrets so I don’t think I’d have anything to sell. Difficult experiences are the best teachers. If you could rewrite a part of your life, which one would you change? I wouldn’t change any part of my life because all the steps and tumbles I’ve taken have led me to this point. PIA/Expat Media
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