Author Interview: Eileen Cook

Eileen Cook

Books:

• Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood
• What Would Emma Do?
• Unpredictable

Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in six different languages. She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. Her latest release, Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood was released in Jan 2010.

You can read more about Eileen, her books, and the things that strike her as funny at www.eileencook.com. Eileen lives in Vancouver with her husband and two dogs and no longer wishes to be anyone or anywhere else.

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What are some of your strengths and weaknesses in writing?
I think my two strengths are writing humor and having an honest voice. Writing funny is something that I believe either comes easy for you or not. I've always been the "funny one" so it seemed natural to bring that to my writing. By having an honest voice what I mean is that I respect my reader. I don't talk down to them or assume I have all the answers. I hope to show my characters as real and flawed people who hopefully learn and grow.

I can think of lots of weaknesses. Whenever I read a really great book by another writer there is that moment where I'm jelous of what an amazing book they've made and I wonder if I'll ever be able to write like them. That's the good news about writing is there is always more to learn. I feel as if each book I've written has gotten a bit better. When I read one of those great books by someone else I try and figure out what I can learn from that writer.

What is the feeling you get when you see your book/s in the bookstores?
Like finding out that chocolate has no calories. A mix of joy and surreal all at the same time. I want to stand next to the shelf and tackle people when they come near forcing a copy into their hand.

I have always wanted to be a writer. When I was a kid (Okay, up until my first book actually came out) whenever I was in a library or a bookstore I would always find the place on the shelf where if I had a book it would go and I would stick my hand in and shove the other books over making space for my future books. It was something I had dreamed about for so long that when it finally came true it almost didn't seem real.

What was the hardest aspect of writing Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood?
It is the same thing I find difficult with writing any book- writing on the days when it doesn't come easy. Somedays it feels like you can't stop, the words just fly. Then there are the other days. It can be hard to sit down at the computer when you feel like NOTHING is happening and everything you put on the page doesn't work. There is a famous author who once said, "you can't fix a blank page." When I'm having a bad day I remind myself to keep moving forward. I can fix something if I get it down on the page, but if I don't write anything I'm no further ahead.

How are you and Lauren alike? How are you different?
Oooh. I don't think I've ever been asked this before.... I like Lauren. Yes, I know she's the villian and she does some lousy things, but I still felt bad for her. Much like her there are times I get caught up in being too focused on what people think of me instead of worrying about being who I am. Lauren is so worried abut making sure she looks perfect to everyone that she doesn't even know what would make her happy anymore.

One way that I'm different from Lauren is I would never betray a friend. I am so lucky to have great friends that I could never do anything (at least on purpose) to hurt them. Plus, since I'm completely uncoordinated I would never make it as a cheerleader either.

Is there anything you want readers to take from Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood?
Most of all I hope readers enjoy the book and find it fun to read. If there is a "lesson" to be learned then I would want it to be that living well is the best revenge. We worry too much about other people instead of keeping the focus on our own lives and doing what we need to be happy.M

Any must-have's while writing?
I have to have my laptop, a cup of hot tea and my dogs. The lap top is obvious, the tea helps keep me going and the dogs are my distraction and stress reliever. It's hard to be stressed when petting a dog belly.

What's next for you?
I am just finishing up my next book which will be out in January! Right now it is called The Vindication of Hailey Kendrick, but the title could change. It takes place in an elite boarding school where a prank goes very wrong and Hailey has to decide who her friends are and what really matters. I'm also working on a ghost story that I am really enjoying- so stay tuned for that too!

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Thank you so much to Eileen, for stopping by!