For Writers - What's the Worst That Can Happen? With Eileen Cook

I'm happy to welcome GCC sister Eileen Cook to the blog to celebrate the recent release of her latest, UNRAVELING ISOBEL. When she was younger, Eileen says she spend much of her time wishing she were someone else, or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. Now she has several books under her belt, appearing in six different languages, lives in beautiful Vancouver with her husband and two cute dogs, and she no longer wishes to be anyone else.

You can read more about Eileen, her books, and the things that strike her as funny at www.eileencook.com.

The Official UNRAVELING ISOBEL blurb:

Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbelievably good-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother.
But on her first night in her new home, Isobel starts to fear that it isn't only her live that's unraveling--her sanity might be giving way too. Because either Isobel is losing her mind, just like her artist father did before her, or she's seeing ghosts. Wither way, Isobel's fast on her way to being the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.

Lisa McMann calls UNRAVELING ISOBEL "Thrilling and creepy, super sexy, and so hilarious." Publisher's Weekly likes its "spine-tingling setting." And Hornbook Magazine calls Isobel a "compelling narrator."

Eileen says:

The very best writing advice I ever received came several years ago before I was published. I was taking a creative writing class and the instructor told me that my writing was good and I should consider starting to send it out for submission. I hemmed and hawed telling her I wasn’t sure if I could. What if it was rejected? She stared me down for a minute and then told me: “Eileen, I hate to tell you this, but you’re already not published. The worst thing that will happen to you is that you still won’t be published.”

That was my light bulb moment. I realized that I might not ever reach my dream of being published, but that if I didn’t at least try I certainly wouldn’t be. Now anytime I catch myself doubting if I can pull off a particular scene or book, I remind myself that I already haven’t done it. The worst that will happen is that it won’t be good, but if I don’t try I’ll never know.

This Week's Link Roundup:

If you haven't checked in to join (Writers' Butt) with us yet, it's not too late! You can follow the (#WritersButt hashtag on twitter), like the page on (Facebook), and check out (Ginger's Wednesday posts) for challenges and fitness advice.

**Finding Time (Sunset) Wisdom from Anne Lamott. LOVE her. If you don't have a copy of BIRD BY BIRD in your writer arsenal, you truly should.

12 Baby Steps That Rocked My Writing (Cowbell - You Need More of It) She makes me smile. : )

Dinner with Literary Agents (The Intern) What she learned...

2012 - The Year of Impossible Things (Crowe's Nest) Let this year be your year!

Just Make the Bed (Sarah Ockler) Overcoming the Problem of Writers' Resolutions

The Missing Ingredient in Most Goals (Michael Hyatt) Excellent. Thanks, Jen, for the link.

Already blew your resolutions? Get Back On the Wagon (Krissy Brady) << here's how.

The Drive to Write (Magical Words ) You are a writer.

5 Things Authors will need to Survive in 2012 (Jody Hedlund)

My Writing Process (Beyond the Margins) Title came first, story later.

Done is Better Than Good (Writers in the Storm) The key is to start writing.

The Key to a Quick First Draft: Breakout Premise (Lia Keyes) Most excellent post.

Interview with Editor Cheryl Klein (SCBWI Conference Blog) I love her.

Your Happy is Never Too Loud (Van Meter Library Voice) Lovely.

Film Options, Explained (YA Highway) by Kody Keplinger

Beyond Orcs and Elves (Omnivoracious) Fantasy writing wisdom from Stacy Whitman

Writing as Conversation (Officially Twisted) Great a-ha post.

Mighty Heroes REQUIRE Mighty Villains (Seeking the Write Life) Excellent.

Innovators Dream (The Heart of Innovation) Dreaming and creativity.

Writing Quickly: A Secret Strategy (Writability) I knew there was a secret to it. : )

Incorporating Backstory to Hook the Reader (Livia Blackburne) Brain scientist's take on writing

Hooks, Loglines, and Pitches: What every writer needs to know (Anne R. Allen) Gold.

**Reminder to bookmark The Bookshelf Muse. Excellent writing resources. Platinum.

How to Write Strong, Silent Types (Wordplay)

What's Your Genre-Identity? (Beth Stilborn)

What's Your Writing Space? (Teacher Writer) From Jen McAndrews: Just write.

To Do Well in Life, You Have to Read Well (NPR) Audio interview.

My Secret for Battling Procrastination (Jane Friedman) Old post. Timeless advice.

Now go. Write!

FF - The Education of Hailey Kendrick by Eileen Cook

The Author:

I'm pleased to welcome back GCC Sister, Eileen Cook to the blog. Eileen 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.

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 .

The Book:

Hailey Kendrick always does exactly what's expected of her. She has the right friends, dates the perfect boy, gets good grades, and follows all the rules. But one night, Hailey risks everything by breaking a very big rule in a very public way...and with a very unexpected partner in crime. Hailey gets caught, but her accomplice does not, and Hailey takes the fall for both of them.

Suddenly, Hailey's perfect life--and her reputation--are blowing up in her face. Her friends are all avoiding her. Her teachers don't trust her. Her boyfriend won't even speak to her for long enough to tell her that she's been dumped.

They say honesty is the best policy--but some secrets are worth keeping, no matter the cost. Or are they?

The Praise:

"Hailey may be an A student headed to the Ivy League, but when it comes to taking a chance on life, she’s clueless. She’s also enormously appealing and great company throughout this breezy read. Yes, it’s chick lit, but of the highest quality—like a

gourmet truffle. Cook has whipped up a real treat.” --Kirkus starred review

"Cook effectively builds both Hailey's (justified) feelings of rebellion and the social

dynamics of her ostracism, especially in her growing friendship with a challenging

townie, Drew, who supervises her punishment working with the janitorial

staff....Cook coaxes considerable empathy for the otherwise privileged Hailey as she

abandons the achievement treadmill to explore her independence." --Publishers

Weekly

The Interview:

What inspired you to write The Education of Hailey Kendrick?

The inspiration came in part from coming across a copy of The Scarlett Letter. I’m very interested in how the process of what everyone thinks of us shapes how we view ourselves. If your identity was suddenly taken away- how would you respond?

Have you ever done something your main character does in your book?

While in school I pulled a prank involving a school mascot. I can’t give details because I secretly fear the police will come for me. I would look very bad in a prison orange jumpsuit

Do you have any special writing rituals or totems to connect with your muse?

I like to play movie soundtrack music when I write. The music often doesn’t have words so I don’t find myself singing along, and it’s designed to invoke emotions so it works well when I need that extra boost.

What's one thing most people don't know about you?

People are often surprised to discover I’m an introvert. When I need to be I can be quite outgoing and I do a lot of public speaking. However, I am way more comfortable in my yoga pants on the sofa with my dogs. Being social takes energy for me. I’m socially awkward by nature. If you are really lucky sometime you can hear my snorty laugh that happens when I’m nervous.

What's your favorite quote?

I’m a total quote junkie too! I can think of zillions of favorites, but my current is “Well behaved women rarely make history.” Eleanor Roosevelt. It reminds me that playing it safe all the time doesn’t get you very far.

What are you working on now?

I have a middle grade series coming out for young readers (ages 8-10) in the Spring called The Fourth Grade Fairy. I’m also hard at work on my new YA novel. I’m working on a gothic story with the working title of Haunting Isobel. It has a creepy old house, a family mystery, a brooding handsome man and a possible ghost. It’s been a tremendous amount of fun to write so far.

What is an interesting writing quirk of yours?

If I can’t tell if a scene is working I need to read it out loud. I’m not sure why my bad acting makes a difference, but it does.

What kind of chocolate best describes you?

I’m not sure if it describes me- but dark chocolate is my favorite by a mile. I can actually pass up milk chocolate. This never happens with dark.

The Freebie:

Since Eileen doesn't have her author copies of TEOHK yet (sadly, this happens more often than you would think), she is generously offering a signed copy of her phenomenal GETTING REVENGE ON LAUREN WOOD to this week's winner.

To be entered to win, leave a comment below, telling us the most rebellious thing you've ever done (as long as you can tell us and still keep it PG-13.) This drawing will remain open until Wednesday, January 12.

Please note: As always, please be sure to check back. Winners must respond within two weeks or their prize may end up back in the pot for another winner - and you wouldn't want that to happen, would you??

ALSO: Don't forget the DEATH BY BIKINI MYSTERIES freebie, going on right now. You can find it here. (Or... scroll down to the post below...)

First Post of 2011!

Happy (Belated) New Year!

I don't know about you, but I gave up making long lists of resolutions long ago. I have only one biggie this year, and I hope you can help me achieve it.

For me, 2011 is going to be a year of positive affirmation. No negativity. No dwelling on things I can't change or worrying about things I have no control over. It's going to be the year of doing. A year of tackling big projects because I CAN. Who's with me?

Part of this resolution is to add a writers' feature to my blog (which should have started yesterday, but I am already behind! But... no looking back, only forward!) Starting next week, we'll have a Writing Tip Tuesday to help pass along the positivity. Some of the tips will be from me, but a lot will come from other authors whose expertise, to me, is gold.

Also, I'll try to highlight as many debut authors as I can again this year. Watch the Freebie Fridays and Tip Tuesdays for a whole slate of fabulous new authors in 2011.

You'll notice a lot more MG authors in the mix this year as I prepare for my MG series, CASSIDY ON CAMERA to make its debut next year.

AND finally - come back tomorrow and Friday for our 2011 kickoff DOUBLE FREEBIES!

Tomorrow I'll be celebrating the release of the mass market bindup of the DEATH BY BIKINI MYSTERIES - all three books in one great volume!

And Friday, don't miss the interview and giveaway with GCC sister Eileen Cook to celebrate the release of her new book, THE EDUCATION OF HAILEY KENDRICK.

Good stuff coming! Stay tuned!

First GCC Tour of the Year - Eileen Cook

Starting 2010 off with a bang - today I'm happy to welcome GCC sister Eileen Cook to the blog. Eileen is celebrating the release of her new book, GETTING REVENGE ON LAUREN WOOD, available NOW!

Here's the official back cover blurb:

In the final weeks of eighth grade, Lauren Wood made a choice. She betrayed her best friend, Helen, in a manner so publicly humiliating that Helen had to move to a new town just to save face. Ditching Helen was worth it, though, because Lauren started high school as one of the It Girls--and now, at the start of her senior year, she's the cheerleading captain, the quarterback's girlfriend, and the undisputed queen bee. Lauren has everything she's ever wanted, and she has forgotten all about her ex-best friend.

But Helen could never forget Lauren. After three years of obsessing, she's moving back to her old town. She has a new name and a new look, but she hasn't dropped her old grudges. She has a detailed plan to bring down her former BFF by taking away everything that's ever been important to Lauren—starting with her boyfriend.

Watch out, Lauren Wood. Things are about to get bitchy.

Eileen's writing has been called “Sassy and sly and sweet" (Meg Cabot). "pitch perfect" (Jacquelyn Mitchard) and "Smart and fun and full of heart." (Sarah Mlynowski.) You're not going to want to miss this book.

The interview:

What inspired you to write Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood?
The book was inspired in part by rereading The Count of Monte Cristo. It’s such a great revenge tale with secret identities, romance and betrayal between best friends. It made me think how things would play out if the story were to take place in a high school. Right then I was off and running with a story.

Have you ever sought serious revenge on a rival?
I haven’t ever done any of the evil revenge plans (at least for legal reasons I could never admit to it!) I came up with in the book, but I certainly have thought about it! Doesn’t everyone dream of getting someone back who really hurt us? When I started writing the book I couldn’t believe all the evil ideas for revenge that came to me.

Do you have any special writing rituals or totems to connect with your muse?
Nothing in particular, but just to be on the safe side, I make sure to have lots of chocolate around.

What's one thing most people don't know about you?
I can’t do a cartwheel. I am nearly terminally clumsy. I fall over stray clumps of dust. I always wanted to be able to do a cartwheel, but my arms, legs and gravity refuse to work together. My mom even hired me a trainer when I was a kid to try and help me. No luck. I guess it is clear I will never make the Olympic gymnastics team.

What's your favorite quote?
Carpe Diem. It means seize the day. I think it is far too easy to let life slip away and become routine. I don’t want to be old and in a nursing home and realize I used up all of my life watching reruns of some TV show that I didn’t even like that much. I try and look for any chance to try something new, spend time with friends, enjoy the moment and be willing to take risks.

What is an interesting writing quirk of yours?
When I am stuck and am hitting a patch of writer’s block I have to leave the house and go write someplace in public (a coffee shop, restaurant, the library- anywhere public) and I have to handwrite versus using my laptop. For some reason this works.

If GETTING REVENGE ON LAUREN WOOD were made into a movie, who would you like to cast in the lead?
I’ve been asked this sort of question before and I stink at it. I come up with one name and then change my mind and then sit there and spend hours on IMDB trying to figure out a better plan B. Personally, I would like to cast Colin Firth so I could meet him, even though there is no real Colin Firth type character in the book. Thus, I will leave the casting to Hollywood as long as they promise to invite me to the fancy parties.

What kind of chocolate best describes you?
Dark Chocolate with nuts, that me- complex with a bunch of quirks!

Huge thanks to Eileen for starting the year off right! I'll see everyone on Friday for the decade's first freebie.

Happy New Year!

Winner and Interview with Author Eileen Cook

Lots of fun things to tell you about today.

For one, Seth Mulo has been chosen as best male character on Bookworm Reader's blog. Take a peek at the other awards she gave DEATH BY BIKINI and DEATH BY LATTE. Thanks, Claire!

Also, the first reviews for DEATH BY DENIM are up! You can check them out at Flamingnet (where they have given DBD the Top Choice Award!) and at the Maelstrom blog.

Also, we have a winner from our Carrie Jones Freebie Friday:
Little Willow
Please send me an email at gerb at lindagerber dot com and I'll e-send your gift certificate to you! Everyone else, don't forget to stop by on Friday, when Sarah Zarr will join us and give away a signed copy of SWEETHEARTS!

AND NOW, a special Tuesday Treat for you - we have another GCC interview with the fabulous Eileen Cook, Author of WHAT WOULD EMMA DO?

Here's the blurb on the book:

Thou shalt not kiss thy best friend’s boyfriend…again….
There is no greater sin than kissing you best friend’s boyfriend. So when Emma breaks that golden rule, she knows she’s messed up big-time. Especially since she lives in the smallest town ever, where everyone knows everything about everyone else….and especially because she maybe kinda wants to do it again. Now her best friend isn’t speaking to her, her best guy friend is making things totally weird, and Emma is running full speed toward certain social disaster. This is so not the way senior year was supposed to go.
Time to pray for a minor miracle. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s time for Emma to stop trying to please everyone around her, and figure out what she wants for herself.

Meg Cabot says that WWED? is “Sassy and sly and sweet all at the same time, this book made me laugh out loud.” And Jaqueline Mitchard says Eileen is the next best thing to Judy Blume. Not bad, huh?

Eileen's insight probably comes from the time she spent as a counselor at Michigan State University. "But real people have real problems," she says. She returned to writing because she "liked having the ability to control the ending. Which is much harder with humans."

The interview:

What inspired you to write WHAT WOULD EMMA DO?
I had recently re-read the Crucible. In the play a group of people begin blaming others of being witches and the situation burns out of control. It got me thinking about what would be the worst thing you could accuse someone of today and how easy it is for the mob mentality to take over. Those thoughts were the beginning of the story that would grow into What Would Emma Do.

Are any of your characters based on real people that you know?
I tend to steal traits and quirks from different people and then mix them up to create someone new. What I find interesting is when someone who knows me reads a book and thinks they identify someone else and it wasn’t even someone I had in mind at the time.

What excites you?
Ideas and stories. I love to read and I gather odd bits of news like black slacks attract cat hair. I listen in on conversations when I’m out in public. All these ideas and scraps of ideas get squirreled away somewhere in both my office and my brain. Like a compost pile sometimes it stinks, but sometimes something really interesting comes out of it.

What turns you off?
I hate when people are narrow minded. I don’t mind disagreeing with someone, but it frustrates me when someone refuses to even listen to another point of view.

In DEATH BY LATTE, my character Aphra starts her adventure with a lie. What's the biggest lie you ever told, and what happened as a result of the telling?
I am a terrible liar. Terrible. I will never be able to have a life of crime or live as a secret double agent spy. For this reason I tend not to lie very often. When I was in high school I wanted to go out to a nightclub where my crush was playing in a band. My parents wouldn’t let me go. I said I was going to my room, but in reality I climbed out my bedroom window. What I didn’t know is about 15 minutes after I left my mom had convinced my dad to let me go. When she got to my room to tell me I was already gone.
Much later that night I carefully slid open the bedroom window and started to climb in. My mom was sitting there in the dark and while one half of me was outside, and the other hanging in, she said: “welcome home.” I knew I was in BIG trouble.

All stories are built on suspense. What's the most suspenseful thing that's happened to you in real life?
There have been a few decisions I made in my life that were a leap of faith. I wasn’t sure how things would turn out, but it felt like the right thing. One example would be getting married. My now husband and I had dated for several years, but broke up while I was still in college. We were broken up a little over a year when he flew into town and told me he missed me and wanted to get married. We went from not dating to married in less than four months. I’m pretty sure there were a lot of people who thought we were insane, but so far it’s been great.

If you could invite anyone you wanted - living or dead - to hang out with you at a weekend retreat, who would you invite and why?
I would love to have the ultimate writer’s retreat with my current writing buddies, but we would also invite Meg Cabot, Jane Austen, Stephen King, Jodi Picoult, Sarah Dessen, Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde and Dorothy Parker. I could go on and on. I think we’re going to need a large conference center for all these people.

What's one thing most people don't know about you?
I can’t do a cart-wheel. I start off good, but for some reason my legs sort of fall over during the “wheel” part of the move. This was a source of great humiliation growing up. Please do not offer to teach me how- many have tried, many have failed. I have accepted that a gold medal in gymnastics is not in my future.

What's your favorite quote?
Oooh I love quotes. I’m one of those people who always has quotes pinned up all around my office. One of my favorites (it is hard to pick just one) is a poem by Shel Silverstein

Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child
Listen to the DON’TS
Listen to the SHOULDN’TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON’TS
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me -
Anything can happen, child
Anything can be

Milk Chocolate or Dark?
No debate on this issue at all- dark chocolate hands down.

You can read more about Eileen, her books, and the things that strike her as funny at www.eileencook.com.