I’m excited to welcome author Sarah Pekkanen to Cover to Cover today! I recently read and reviewed Pekkanen’s debut novel The Opposite of Me and loved it.
The Opposite Of Me explores the complicated relationship between sisters. What made you write a book about sisters?
When I was a kid, I always fantasized about having a sister. I imagined she’d be a lot like me – she’d love Nancy Drew books, and be on the quiet side. I pictured the two of us as best friends. Then one day I thought, What if I had a sister and we were total opposites? I’m also really intrigued by the labels we all get assigned in our families – either quietly or overtly. Since I’m interested in psychology, I began to wonder if those labels truly fit who we are inside, or if they limit us. The intersection of those themes, sisterhood and identity, forms the heart of my book.
In the book, Lindsey is the “smart” one and Alex is the “pretty” one. What family stereotype did you most closely relate to growing up?
I think I was the peacekeeper – as the only girl, sandwiched between two boys, I wasn’t really compared to my siblings. And now that I’ve got three little boys of my own, I try really hard not to label them either.
Who are your favorite authors? Why do they inspire you?
Jennifer Weiner, Emily Giffin and Marian Keyes. What I love about Jennifer and Emily is that they didn’t let rejection get them down. Jennifer’s first book, Good In Bed, was turned down by dozens of agents, and Emily’s first book didn’t even sell! So the lesson is, keep writing and keep trying. Rejection is rampant in this business, but you can’t let it stop you.
How do you come up with story ideas?
I think gearing up to write a book is like cooking soup on the back burner of your stove. Soup, like writing, works best if you swirl in a few ingredients and let it simmer for a long time (I’m sort of making this up, because I’m a terrible cook, but I’m pretty sure that’s how they do it on the Food Network). It’s actually more productive for me to open myself up to ideas by reading newspapers and books, chatting with people, and daydreaming. Then I let my subconscious sort through ideas while I grocery shop, do laundry, and walk the dog- before sitting down to write.
Once you have a story idea, do you outline the book or jump right into the writing process?
Both – I do an outline but veer away from it as I write. My agent once pointed out that plotting is my weakness, so I read every book I can that talks about plotting techniques. My favorite is Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Write the book only you can write! Don’t worry about agents or critics or getting a publisher – yet. Do at least a page a day, and you’ll have your book in a year. Then show it to smart people who love books and ask them to be brutally honest, and don’t be scared of a little revising.
What are you working on next?
I’m thrilled to say my second book, Skipping a Beat, will be published February 23 by Washington Square Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Here’s a sneak peek at the synopsis:
Julia and Michael met as high school students in their small, poverty-stricken West Virginia town. Both products of difficult childhoods – Julia’s father is a compulsive gambler and Michael’s mother abandoned his family when he was a young boy – they find a sense of safety and mutual understanding in each other. Shortly after graduation they flee West Virginia to start afresh.
Now thirty-somethings, they are living a rarified life in their multi-million dollar Washington, D.C. home. From the outside it all looks perfect – Julia has become a highly sought-after party planner, while Michael has launched a wildly successful flavored water company worth $70 million.
But one day Michael stands up at the head of the table in his company’s boardroom – then silently crashes to the floor. More than four minutes later, a portable defibrillator manages to jump-start his heart. Yet what happened to Michael during those lost minutes forever changes him. Money is meaningless to him now – and he wants to give it all away to charity. A prenuptial agreement that Julia insisted upon back when Michael’s company was still struggling means she has no claim to his fortune, and now she must decide: should she walk away from the man she once adored, but who truthfully became a stranger to her long before his near-death experience – or should she give in to her husband’s pleas for a second chance and a promise of a poorer but happier life?
Wow. Sounds really interesting! Thank you again Sarah for chatting with me here at Cover to Cover.
Love the interviews you have been doing and I am definitely going to get my hands on this new book. Anything WV and I am in! I love books that are set in my state, at least for a little bit. Although they normally aren't in a good light. I am trying to change that with my book 🙂