Please share with us what you enjoy most about writing?
I love almost everything about writing. I love the excitement when a new idea starts and you can’t stop thinking about it. I love sitting around making things up all-day and getting to call it work. There are few things that match the feeling of when the writing is going well and everything seems to be working. Sometimes people ask me if I ever worry about running out of things to write about. At the moment I can’t imagine that happening, it feels like there are a million stories waiting to be told.
Then there are the writing days when it feels as if stabbing yourself in the eye with a pen would be less painful then staring at the blank page for one second longer. I pretend these days don’t exist as much as possible.
What do you believe makes a good story?
This is a fun question to answer because so much depends on the reader, or what type of mood the reader is in. There are times when I start a book and can’t seem to get into it, and then I pick up the same book a few months later and can’t put it down.
I think if you distill everything down a good story depends on honesty. It doesn’t matter if you are writing about a race of mutant space kittens who become pirates- the story has to feel true and honest. You have to know how to make those mutant kittens feel real to the reader so that we care about them and are invested in how the story turns out.
When you are not writing, what do you enjoy doing on your spare time?
I am a huge reader. (I suspect this is not a shock) I always have stacks of books around the house. There are few things better than sitting down with a good book and diving in. I also knit. There is something about the clickety clack of the needles and the texture of the yarn that I find to be very relaxing. Plus at the end of all of it you have socks or a sweater so it’s even a productive hobby.
Please name three up and coming Canadian authors you would recommend your readers to consider taking interest in?
Ivan Coyote isn’t necessarily up and coming, she’s been around awhile, but I have such huge respect for her. She was the writing teacher who years ago encouraged me to start sending my writing in. As she pointed out “I hate to tell you this, but you are already not published. The worst that will happen is that you still won’t be published.” Apparently, that was the motivation I needed.
Joelle Anthony’s first YA book, Restoring Harmony came out this past year. I met Joelle online and we became friends in real life as well. She has a beautiful way of creating characters. You can’t help but be sucked into her books.
Tish Cohen and I both had our debut books come out at the same time. We were in a writing group together, The Debutante Ball. I have a huge admiration for her ability to go back and forth between middle grade books and adult titles. Inside Out Girl, was one of my favorite books this past year.
Name the top three things you can’t live without.
Tea: I’m in love with the Coco Chai Roobos from David’s Teas in Vancouver.
Yarn: I am a not so secret yarn fondler. Sometimes I pull skeins of yarn out and stack them in different color combinations while petting them.
Books: I get small panic attacks if I’m stuck somewhere without something to read. I even take a book to the hockey game. (You can get at least a chapter read during the period breaks)
Have you ever envisioned yourself being where you are today as a Canadian author with four successfully published novels?
Oh, I envisioned it. I dreamed about it all the time. I had (still have) elaborate fantasies where I swan about swanky literary parties with famous authors. Growing up whenever I was in a bookstore or a library, I would run my fingers along the shelves until I found where I would he shelved and then I would slide my hand in between the books that were there and wriggle them apart so there was a bit of empty space for me. I knew where my imaginary books would go long before they were written.
However, despite all my dreaming, I’m not certain I thought it would actually ever really happen. I envision all sorts of things, winning the lottery or sprouting wings and being able to fly, but I don’t confuse that with reality. I still feel a rush whenever I see my books on the shelves. I feel so fortunate to be able to do this.
What inspired you to create such a genuine character such as Hailey as well as the other characters involved in “The Education of Hailey Kendrick”?
In my experience writers tend to tackle stories in two ways, either they have a character they feel compelled to write about or a situation. In this case I was really intrigued about writing about someone who loses it all and has to decide what she’s willing to do to get that back. Once I had that as a starting place, all of the characters ad situations fell into place.
Which character in “The Education of Hailey Kendrick” do you believe you relate to most and why?
I love the character of Drew who is a real carpe diem/live life to the fullest kind of person. I admire how he isn’t afraid to try things and go after what he wants in life. In reality, I am much closer to Hailey. All those years of Catholic school made me a bit of rule follower.
Is there a message or multiple messages in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I don’t tend to start out a book with a theme or message, but usually by the time I type “The End” there is something that has built up. I find it interesting to hear from readers to know what they took away from the book. For me, The Education of Hailey Kendrick is about being comfortable with who you are versus letting yourself be defined by how other people view you and the importance of really living life instead of letting it happen around you.
Can you give us any hints on what’s in store for your readers in your next novel?
I am so excited for my next book, Unraveling Isobel. It is a gothic story complete with a giant old home on a remote island, a handsome and dangerous love interest, a centuries old family mystery, and a possible ghost.
My Review: The Education of Hailey Kendrick by Eileen Cook
