About the Book

Book: Water’s Break

Author: Sophia Hansen

Genre: YA sci-fi

Release Date: January 9, 2024

What if fear itself is the deadliest undercurrent of all?

Nica would do anything to avoid the hassles of her sister’s bonding ceremony—the wrap fittings, hairstyles, and braided fire coral—but she never imagined that the waters covering her planet would be broken. As the heavens rained fire and stone, mountains erupted from the sea and dry ground was birthed on the Deep, dividing the water—and the Olomi people—for the first time in their history.

In the wake of her world’s violent re-formation, Nica’s family is shattered. When the rookie Guardian leaves the safety of the Deep to find her sister, she is abducted by strange landwalkers who possess strength and technology beyond her imagination. Nica realizes that the disaster from above was by their design—a calculated plan to terraform the water planet and conquer her people. All Nica wants to do is find her sister and swim home to safety, but with the landwalkers closing in, escape may not be possible. And if Nica can’t save herself, how can she hope to save her sister—or her people?

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About the Author

Sophia L. Hansen, raised in the melded cultures of Korea and America, understands not fitting into society’s boxes. Born on a tiny island in Alaska, then growing up in New York City and Boston, she now resides in the Southeast, writing and editing between fresh(ish) cups of coffee and slices of crisp bacon. She embraces life with her husband, their adulting children, and her new grandson, but her favorites are Jesus, family, coffee, and dark chocolate, mostly in that order.

More from Sophia

Once upon a time, there was a mom.
A mom with many children.
She was a very busy mom.
One day the pastor’s wife asked her to write something for the Christmas program.
“Why would you ask me?” she replied. “I’m just a mom.”
“Because you love words,” was the quiet answer.
When the mom heard this, she realized it was true. And so, she began to write.

The Beginning

Stories don’t grow in a vacuum. Neither do they flourish in a pressure cooker. Our ideas are like seeds; full of potential but needing time and space to germinate. My season of writing started after more than a decade of birthing, raising, and educating my children. We had five at the time and I was full up. There was little space in church activities for attached moms whose children didn’t nursery well, and I spent more of my Sunday mornings in the playground rather than the pews. Then, finally, a friend invited me to a study in her home, and all children were welcome.

As my soul feasted on the fellowship, Bible study, and sharing, I felt like a child sitting down to a holiday meal. I’d been so busy taking care of others that I didn’t remember what it was like to have an oxygen mask for myself. It had been far too long since my spiritual self had been nourished. Out of that beautiful season the seeds of my words, long dormant, began to sprout, including my what ifs about what would become the world of Water’s Break.

Water’s Break dives into Nica’s world, a water-covered planet inhabited by amphibian people. When disaster strikes, landmasses rise from the seabed, separating the water and its people for the first time in their history. Nica’s family is devastated: her father is gravely injured, her sister is missing, and her mother, grief-stricken. Nica, a rookie Guardian, is determined to find her sister and bring her home, even if it means she must venture out of the Deep. But no one knows what lies in wait abovewater.

I hope your hearts are encouraged as you join Nica’s fight to survive in a sea of oppression. And when survival is not enough, will she risk everything to choose life?

Author Interview

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?

That I was actually discovering my own journey as I wrote about Nica’s. I didn’t realize this until I had finished writing it and was working on synopses and summaries.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

I have a Discord channel where we can Buddy Read through Water’s Break in a spoiler-free zone. Some of my advance copy readers chat with me there about how the different chapters hit them. Apparently, I make them cry. “Sad tears. Happy tears. Scared tears. Tears of relief.” One reader called me the Queen of Catharsis! LOL

I love learning that the readers are as satisfied by Nica’s journey as I was in writing it.

How do you overcome writer’s block? Do you have any advice for others in finding their process to overcome it?

I try to give myself space. Especially space to laugh. Pressure doesn’t help anything. I ask God to strengthen me to be faithful. And I share my struggle with trusted friends.

Do you read the genre you write? Why or why not?

Absolutely, I’ve read Sci-Fi and Fantasy since the late 70’s. My husband says I’ve been in author training all my life.

How did you come up with the title for your book?

I like to present concepts from interesting angles, living in a world of “what-if”s. seeing things from the view of the other. Water is not something that we view as being breakable, but how could it be considered broken. That becomes a wrestling point for my characters.

What’s your favorite writing snack, drink, and/or music?

Dark chocolate & nuts. Strong coffee or bubbly water (especially Grapefruit Bubly). Having raised and homeschooled seven children, I pretty much ignore all environmental sounds.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

God has given me a story no one else can write – Bob Hostetler

Write like no one will read it – Tosca Lee

Do you participate in writing challenges on social media? Why or why not?

Yes! And I love them. Cassie Hamm’s writing prompt contests of 50-300 words are a blast! And I participated in WriteTober, 31 days of 50-word fictions, a few years ago. Writing tight is a wonderful challenge, and it scratches my poetry itch. Here are some of my short/micro works.