Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit: Starring Eileen Cook

Eileen Cook is visiting my blog today to talk about her new book (one I can't wait to get my hands on!) THE EDUCATION OF HAILEY KENDRICK.

About 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?

Reviews

"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

Our Interview

KRISTINA: In my book, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, Jane, a coffee barista, matchmakes people based on their favorite coffee drinks. What’s your favorite coffee drink? (If you don’t like coffee, tell me what your favorite drink in general is. But I am sorry, you’ll never find love. Kidding!)

EILEEN: I live in Vancouver where it is practically a crime to admit this- but- I don’t like coffee. Not even coffee flavored ice cream. I’m more of a chai tea latte or hot chocolate (high end only please, none of that chalky power mixed with water) kind of person.

KRISTINA: I am always curious about when and where writers write. Can you tell me about your schedule and your favorite place to work?

EILEEN: Have laptop can travel. I write on the beach, in my backyard, while traveling in hotels, in coffee shops, libraries, at my desk and on the sofa. I find when I get stuck if I change location it seems to make a difference.

I love the idea of having a regular schedule, but I never seem to manage it. Instead I set a weekly goal of what I want to get done and give myself permission to write pages and pages on one day and only a few paragraphs on another.

KRISTINA: How do you come up with the names of your characters?

EILEEN: I spend an unbelievable amount of time on picking a character’s name. I go to those baby name websites where you can search by different meanings and cultures and play around until I find something that “feels” right. Then when I have a name for everyone I have to decide if they fit together. For example you don’t want everyone’s name to start with the same letter or to rhyme.

KRISTINA: What is your most favorite (or, weirdest, craziest, funniest, most touching etc.) comment you’ve received from a fan?

EILEEN: I love hearing from readers so feel free to drop me a line at Eileen@eileencook.com. I heard from one reader who was going through a difficult time with her mom in the hospital. She would read parts of my book out loud to her mom so they would have a reason to laugh. I was so honored to be able to help (even in a very small way) during that time. One of my favorite comments was someone who said “You write teens so well, it’s like you were one once.”

KRISTINA: What are you reading right now?

EILEEN: I just started Revolution by Donnelly. So far it seems great!

KRISTINA: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you?

EILEEN: Yes please! You can find me under Eileenwriter.

KRISTINA: What are you working on now?

EILEEN: 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.

About the Author

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.

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.