GCC Presents: Eileen Cook!

It's the first GCC interview of the New Year. Eileen Cook has a new book out called Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood, which I am really looking forward to reading (maybe I'll pick it up while I'm on my honeymoon, which is where I will be next week!) so let's find out about it shall we?

About the Book:

Popularity is the best revenge.

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.

About the Author:

Eileen Cook spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. When she was unable to find any job postings for world famous author, she went to Michigan State University and became a counselor so she could at least afford her book buying habit. But real people have real problems, so she returned to writing because she liked having the ability to control the ending. Which is much harder with humans.
You can read more about Eileen, her books, and the things that strike her as funny at eileencook.com. Eileen lives in Vancouver with her husband and dogs and no longer wishes to be anyone or anywhere else.

Praise for Eileen’s Writing:

“Sassy and sly and sweet all at the same time, this book made me laugh out loud.” --Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries and Airhead

“Not since Judy Blume's Margaret introduced herself to God has there been such a funny, genuine, conflicted, wanna-be-sorta-good-maybe-later girl as Emma. Cook's tone as she takes on the big ones—life, love, faith, and friendship—is pitch perfect.”--Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Midnight Twins and The Deep End of the Ocean

"Smart and fun and full of heart." --Sarah Mlynowski, author of Bras & Broomsticks and How to Be Bad

And now for the best part of the Girlfriends Cyber Circuit.... the interview!

Q: Please tell us what your new book is about and what inspired you to write it.

Eileen: 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.

Q: If there was a soundtrack for your book what are five songs that would be on it and how do they relate the story?

Eileen: Well, this question has resulted in spending a lot of time on iTunes. I wanted a few songs that captured that angry revenge feeling, one to reflect a love for classic movies and my all time favorite song about friendship.

You’re So Vain by Carly Simon

One Way or Another by Blondie

Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Deep Blue Something

You’re My Best Friend by Queen

Q: Who were some of your inspirations to become a writer or the inspirations that keep you writing? Feel free to include other authors, teachers, parents, or people in other creative fields, whoever is an inspiration to you!

Eileen: My parents were my first inspiration as they were huge readers and raised me with a love of reading. Then I would have to think of every author I’ve ever read. I’ve always been so impressed with how people can create completely imaginary worlds, that we know are fake, and yet we still find ourselves crying or cheering for them. Lastly, I’d have to thank all the writers that I’ve come to know along the way who have cheered me along and picked me back up on the days when I was sure I was never going to make it or survive in this business.

Q: Even though music plays in so heavily into my storytelling, I rarely can actually listen to it while I'm writing. Can you? How does music fit into your writing process?

Eileen: I find I can’t listen to music that has words or I tend to sing along. (trust me- this isn’t pretty. Be glad you don’t live near me) I do have a playlist of all movie soundtracks. Those are written to evoke emotion so I find they help when I’m writing.

Q: What is next for you? What are you working on now?

Eileen: I am doing a middle grade series about a girl who comes from a long line of fairy godmothers. All she wants is to be normal, but that is harder for her than you might imagine.

Well, I hope you are now as excited about Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood!

As I mentioned at the beginning next week I am finally getting out of town and going some place warm on my long-awaited honeymoon!!! WOOO! We're headed to Miami Beach and Key Largo so obviously I won't be online to blog all next week, but I'm sure I'll be back with cool pictures and maybe a story about meeting up with one of my fave fellow MTV Books authors, Danielle Joseph for lunch :) Have a good weekend and next week!