Sarah Pekkanen. [Author Interview]

I had the wonderful opportunity to be one of the first to interview the NEW and UPCOMING author, [brace yourselves] SARAH PEKKANEN!!!!!! She might be a New York native, but I guess Sarah thought the city life was too much to handle. She currently lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband, two sons, and one on the way. Her road to getting published wasn't an easy one but if she's learned anything valuable, it's to refrain from writing on Raggedy Ann stationery! Her debut novel, Way Beyond Compare, which has been sold to Atria, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, is scheduled to come out early in 2010. So, without further ado, let's see what Ms. Pekkanen had to say:

--I like to start out my days with a laugh. Any good jokes you've heard lately or any funny stories you have to share with us?

"I think little kids tell the best jokes -- usually unintentionally! Recently my son asked if I knew what a mid-life crisis was. I asked him what he thought, and he wrinkled his little brow and said, 'It's when you start growing hair in weird places. I think Dad's going to have one soon!'"

As a Writer

--What/Who inspired you to become a writer?

"My father is a writer, too, although he is a non-fiction medical writer. His books couldn't be more different from the type of novels I write, which are more of the Emily Giffin/Jennifer Weiner genre. But whether the love of writing is genetic or whether my Dad's lifestyle looked good to me (he could work when he wanted, wander upstairs to snack or check out the game on TV, then go back to his study in the basement), he had a profound influence on me. He always told me not to become a writer, since it didn't pay well, but secretly I knew he was proud when I began writing books as a little kid and sending them out to publishers."

--What's something that happened to you on your journey to be a writer?

"I detoured by covering Capitol Hill as a newspaper reporter, which has to be the greatest professional mis-match of all time! I don't particularly enjoy politics -- I know, I know, this makes me unique since I live in the D.C. area -- but spending all day chasing around career politicians and begging for a scrap of a quote would've been comical if I hadn't found it to be so painful. But in a way, I'm really glad I did it. I learned that if I could write about politics, I could write about anything."

--How do you deal with negative feedback?

"Constructive negative feedback is fantastic -- recently my agent suggested I work on plotting, which was probably my biggest weakness as a novelist. I'm good with things like voice, dialogue, and characters, but I needed to inject some bigger plot points in my book. So I read every book I could about plotting, and it helped immensely.

Mean negative feedback, I try to ignore -- but it does sting. Luckily I haven't had to endure much of it yet, but I'm sure there will be a few book reviews I won't be thrilled by -- it's just the law of averages."

--I like to have music in the background while I work, it helps me to concentrate. Do you work in total silence or are you also one for the music?

"I love having music in the background. Coming from a newsroom environment -- I worked for newspapers for almost ten years -- I'm used to lots of background noise and so I can write anywhere, including Chuck E. Cheese. Seriously -- I've dragged my laptop there! I do try to match the mood of what I'm writing to my Ipod playlist. Springsteen is an oldie but goodie for getting me revved up to write, and I love Coldplay and Alicia Keyes, too. For slower scenes, I like Joss Stone and Norah Jones."

--When you get stuck, how do you unglue yourself?

"Going to movies is great -- you get to take in an entire story, with a beginning, middle and end, in the space of two hours. Plus there's snacks at the movies! Taking a walk with my black Lab, Bella, also helps. I also have a book called "How I Got Published" in which authors describe how they wrote and sold their first novels. It helps to know that others have struggled, too, on their way to success."

--How did you celebrate your book getting signed?

"I'd gone to New York to meet with interested publishers -- I was lucky enough to have an auction, in which several publishers bid on my manuscript -- and my agent called me as I was boarding a train in Penn Station to go back home. She told me my dream editor, who is also the editor for Jennifer Weiner ("Good In Bed," "In Her Shoes") had bid on my book. There I was, stuck in the middle of a pushy, sweaty crowd (it was July, and I was six months pregnant!), wanting to scream and jump up and down, but also really wanting to get a seat on the crowded train! Once I reached the train, I text-messaged everyone I knew. Then I came home and collapsed in exhaustion -- I hadn't slept much the two nights before, because I was so nervous."

As a Person

--What were you like as a teenager?

"Very, very dreamy. I always made up stories in my own head (which were much more interesting to me than, say, chemistry class). So, um, I wasn't exactly the best student! I was painfully insecure, too. But I've since learned that even the cool girls from my high school were insecure, too. I really wish I'd known that back in high school."

--What's a weakness of yours?

"I can be extremely lazy. Few things make me happier than Reality TV, chocolate, and a cozy blanket. It's a challenge to be lazy with two young kids, a third on the way, and a novel coming out, but I manage admirably."

--If not a writer, what would you have been?

"Probably a teacher. I adore kids."

--Who is you're biggest supporter?

"My husband never once suggested I give up writing fiction -- which has no guarantee of a paycheck -- to write more magazine and newspaper articles. He worked at jobs he did not enjoy so I could stay home with our young boys and try to write a book in my spare time. For that, I'll always be grateful."

In your Book [Way Beyond Compare]

--Where did you get the idea of your book from?

"I took a lot of psychology classes in college, and I'm fascinated with the notion of identity. How would each of us be different if we were born to different parents, or had different siblings? That was my starting point. I also really liked the idea of writing about sisters -- I have two brothers, but no sisters -- and the complexities of the sisterly relationship gripped me. I knew I wanted to write a big, juicy, commercial read -- the kind of book you bring to the beach, and tell your friends about. I hope I succeeded."

--What age group is your book most likely to appeal?

"My main character just turned 30, but I hope this book appeals from anyone in their teens on up. I think good stories don't have an age requirement."

--Why did you shot for this age group?

"I didn't really aim for a particular age group, I just tried to tell the best story I could."

--Can you relate to any of your characters?

"I feel a lot of sympathy for my main character, Lindsay. She is sassy and funny and real. Life kicks her around a little bit -- her fraternal twin sister, Alex, is a spectacularly gorgeous model who soaks up more than her share of attention -- but Lindsay ends up doing just fine in life!"

--Can you give us a sneak peak?

"My novel is being edited right now at Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, so I can't send out the first chapter now -- but I will email the first chapter to anyone who signs up for my private newsletter on my website at www.sarahpekkanen.com In the meantime, I'm holding monthly drawings for goodies like books and chocolates! So please do sign up for my mailing list and you may win a goodie bag."

Just in General

--What advice do you have for any aspiring writers out there?

"Write as much as you can. Writing is like exercise. Some days it's easy, some days it's the most painful, unappealing thing in the world. Stick with it and you'll see results. Um, I have to confess, I don't really do that with exercise! But I'm trying!"

--Anything else you would like to share with us?

"The name of my novel is Way Beyond Compare, and rights have also been sold in Italy, Holland, Spain, and the U.K. It still seems unreal! My book won't be out until early 2010, but in the meantime, I'll be writing monthly updates on my website, www.sarahpekkanen.com and I hope to write about what happens from the time a manuscript is sold until it lands on bookshelves. So much of publishing is a mystery to me! I hope to let my readers learn about it through my journey, and provide them with tips that can help them if they decide to pursue writing as a career."

--Lastly, what do you think of the presidential debate this year?

"Remember -- I'm not a big fan of politics! Can I skip that question and talk more about chocolate? But I will say, Tina Fey is brilliant!"

--Now it's time we put this in reverse. Do you have any questions for me?

"I just want to thank you for interviewing me, and tell you how impressed I am with your initiative! I'd love to hear from anyone who reads this and has any follow-up questions, so please check out my website and email me on the link provided if you'd like. Thanks again!"

I'd like to thank Ms. Pekkanen for such a wonderful interview. I really enjoyed reading all what she had to say, but in all honesty, I think I absolutely loved her son's response the best! Hopefully, all future interviews will be as great as this one has been. Keep an eye out for Sarah's debut novel, Way Beyond Compare, coming to us early in the year 2010.

For more on Sarah Pekkanen, visit her website and don't forget to sign up for her monthly newsletter. There will be goodies involved.

www.sarahpekkanen.com