Interview with Eileen Cook

www.eileencook.com

Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

My parents were both big readers. I can’t remember a time without books. As soon as I understood that someone made up the stories that went in books, I knew that is what I wanted to do. I’ve always written and have folders stuffed full of stories and poetry. I went through a REALLY bad poetry phase in high school where I made emo kids look upbeat and perky.

Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?

I have a theory there is no road to publishing. There is a faint path that winds through wild and overgrown woods. A road sounds as if you can see where you are going and plan a step by step journey.

I knew I always wanted to be a writer, but for a number of years I had convinced myself that it wasn’t a “real” job. I continued to write, but never sent anything out. Someone pointed out that I already wasn’t published. The worse thing that would happen if I sent things out is that I still wouldn’t be published. Suddenly it seemed stupid not to at least try. I began to send things out and collect rejections along with selling a few small pieces here and there. Things fell into place for me when I hooked up with my literary agent, Rachel Vater. She sold my first book, Unpredictable and then encouraged me to try writing YA. We sold What Would Emma Do after that.

Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one thing about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?

Here is the summary for What Would Emma Do?

While juggling friendship issues (her best friend isn't speaking to her), a love triangle-turned-square (okay, maybe she shouldn't have kissed her best friend's boyfriend...but it was totally an accident!...sort of), and escalating mayhem in her small religious town (uh-oh...what would Jesus do?), Emma realizes she has to stop trying to please everyone around her and figure out what she wants for herself. It's time to start asking, "What would Emma do?"

The one thing I would say to try and convince you to read it is that I guarantee that you’ll laugh out loud as you watch Emma make her way through a difficult situation.

What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?

I think my brain is like freshly washed black slacks attracting cat hair and dirt. I collect ideas and inspiration here and there. I see something and fie it away to a corner of my brain. I never know where it will show up. I read a lot, I listen in to other people’s conversations, and I people watch whenever I’m in public.

All those ideas and images mill about inside my head until a story pops out. I wish I could point to one moment of inspiration, but I have no idea how it happens.

Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!

My parents are so excited. I think my dad keeps finding new ways to slip it into conversations. “Yep, sure is cold today. Good day for reading a book though. Have I mentioned my daughter writes them?”

My mom had saved a homework assignment I did in second grade. At the bottom of the page the teacher wrote: “I’m sure someday you’ll be an author.” After I sold my first book my dad hunted down my old teacher. She was 93 and living in a nursing home. We went to see her and bring her a signed book. She didn’t remember me. It wasn’t entirely clear if she remembered who she was. She spent the whole visit talking about getting her bunions scraped.

Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?

My favorite comfort food is warm bread fresh out of the oven. Mmmm. Having said that, I never say no to a good piece of dark chocolate. Heck, I won’t say no to a piece of mediocre chocolate.

What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?

I walk the dog, make myself a cup of tea and check my email. I am a compulsive email checker. I think I have the hope that at any moment an email is going to show up in my mailbox that is super exciting. Most of the times they are spam emails from someone in Africa who wants to share their fortune with me, but I keep hoping.

If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise me the most?

Overall my home is pretty organized and not very surprising. Except for my office. If you looked in my office you would wonder if I was going to turn into one of those people who hordes everything and ends up being crushed to death by a pile of their own stuff. Thankfully, the only room in our house like this is my office.

There is a giant wicker basket full of yarn (I knit), stacks and stacks of books, file folders full of newspaper clippings and half started stories, notebooks (some full some still blank), and a few candles here and there. I have a chair that always has a blanket on it (and usually my dog), and whatever book I am currently reading propped open. My laptop is on my desk waiting for me to get back to work.

Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to know: If you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?

I love the water. My life long dream is to have a house overlooking the ocean or a huge lake. As a result my favorite colors would be water- blue, gray and green.

Who is your favorite cartoon character?

I’ve always loved all things Winnie the Pooh. My favorite character is Eyeore. I love his gloom. It makes me want to give him a hug.

Which cartoon character is most like you?

I think I most resemble Hobbes from Calvin and Hobbes. I have a huge love of play and adventure, but tend to be the thoughtful logical one.

If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in history, where and when would it be—and why?

Oooh hard question. There are tons of places I would love to go and see. I love history. I’d love to go to ancient Egypt or Tudor England. Renaissance Italy would be nice too. Of course if I’m honest I’m pretty fond of indoor plumbing and other modern conveniences like my iPod. In the end I would most likely stay home- my dog and husband would miss me.

So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while you’re writing?

I like a little bit of everything, what I listen to depends on my mood. I’m a big jazz fan and Diana Krall is a favorite.

When I’m writing I can’t have music with words on or I tend to start singing along instead of working. I make playlists of movie soundtracks. They write music for the movies to enhance a particular scene or emotion, so I find I can match them to what I’m working on. For example, the theme to Indiana Jones is great for writing action scenes.

Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last movie you saw at the theater?

I loved Battlestar Gallatica. They’ve got great writing. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of my all time favorites and I’ll watch re-runs of that show anytime.

The last movie I saw at the theatre was The Maltese Falcon. One of our local theatres does classic movies on Saturday mornings. I’m going to see Rebel Without a Cause next. It’s great to see the old movies on the big screen.

You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?

Be true to who you are. There are plenty of people who will tell you what you need to do/say/wear to fit in. Keep your mind open and follow your own path.

One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?

I’m working on a book about betrayal, friendship, revenge, and a love for classic movies. I’m having so much fun coming up with revenge ideas. I had no idea I could be so evil.

Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!

Thanks so much for having me! Much appreciated.