Graduate Deb Eileen Cook is back with a new book!

Getting Revenge cover

The Debs are thrilled to welcome back Founding Deb Eileen Cook. Eileen’s first book, a romantic comedy titled Unpredictable was released in February 2008 and optioned by New Line Cinema and Benderspink Productions. Her next book, a young adult novel, What Would Emma Do, was released in December 2008. Author Meg Cabot said, “Sassy and sly and sweet all at the same time, this book made me laugh out loud.” Her latest, Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood, will be in bookstores on January 5.

Here’s a sneak peek at the plot:

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.

Please check out Eileen’s blog and her books! Thanks for blogging with us about deadlines – and welcome back, Eileen!

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The author Douglas Adams has my favorite quote about deadlines: “I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.

Every writer I know has heard of this quote. We hear it and laugh, perhaps rolling our eyes at each other. The secret truth is, I actually do love deadlines. It makes me feel as if this writing thing is more than a hobby. Unlike the half knit sweater, or the cookies I’ve been meaning to bake, there is a date when I must have my next project done. There are actual real live people who plan to read the book, which means I’m required to find some way to squeeze the words out of my brain and onto the page. It’s my job.

My third book is coming out this week and I’ll admit I still am amazed and thrilled. I feel so very fortunate to have the chance to do what I love.  I practically can’t wait for someone to ask me what I do, so I can tell them.  It’s almost enough to make me like going through customs at the airport: “What’s my occupation? Why, as a matter of fact, I’m a novelist.”

It took me a long time to say I was a writer. It wasn’t that I was ashamed, but I didn’t feel like a “real”writer. Years ago I went to a book signing. I waited close to an hour. When I got to the front of the line I shyly told the author that I wanted to be a writer too.  She looked me straight in the face and asked if I wrote every day, if I was committed.  I stammered and explained that I tried to, but I had family obligations and a pesky day job that ate up so much time.  She gave a disdainful sniff and told me that was the difference between her and I. She was a writer, while I just wished to be one.

I was so mad I could have spit. How dare she!? I couldn’t believe I had wasted my money on her book. And in hardcover too! I went to my car just so I could slam the door. I sat in the front seat and realized that part of the reason I was so mad, was because she was right. The thing holding me back from being a writer, was me. I couldn’t control if I was published, or how many books sold, but I could control the writing. I could take classes, improve my craft and write. Write like there was a deadline. Like it mattered if I showed up on not.

That was the turning point for me. I sold my first book about a year and a half later.  When there are days when I don’t want to sit at the computer, or the words aren’t coming easily, I shrug and remind myself, it’s my job. And it’s the best job in the world.  Bring on the deadlines.

Thanks for having me back Debs!

10 Replies to “Graduate Deb Eileen Cook is back with a new book!”

  1. Deadlines absolutely signify “real life” for me, and that’s why I like having them, too. This writing gig isn’t a hobby or a fun, cute thing that I do. It’s so much more than that. Whether self-imposed or publisher imposed, a deadline is a deadline!

    Thanks for a great post & good luck with book # 3. Happy New Year!

  2. “It’s almost enough to make me like going through customs at the airport: “What’s my occupation? Why, as a matter of fact, I’m a novelist.””

    I was once getting a visa to visit India, and put my occupation as “writer.” MISTAKE!! Some countries get wary that you’re an investigative reporter. Luckily, I had a copy of the magazine I wrote for on me. I was, at the time, a puzzle designer, and crosswords and logic just don’t look threatening 🙂

  3. Welcome back Eileen! I loved your first two books and can’t wait to read the third and share it with my daughter! Congratulations and you rock!

    Gotta go now. I’m on a deadline!

  4. I can’t wait to read this book, Eileen. And I love that turning point story. So often the things that make us mad are the things we most need to hear. Not always, but sometimes. 😉

    I have this running frustrating argument of sorts with my English major sister who’s a wanna-be writer. I think she thinks I must be a hack because I write every day, not just “when the muse is with me”. If you’re serious about being a writer, you need to slap that muse around when he/she isn’t behaving. You need to train yourself to get into the zone even on the days when it’s really, really hard.

  5. I think that deadlines are important. It’s really nice that now mine are “real” too, but before I sold a book, I always set personal deadlines for whatever I was writing and it really makes a difference. Congrats on your new book, E!

  6. I can’t thank everyone enough for all the nice comments! It’s been quite the publishing journey so far! I hope everyone enjoys the book and remembers that only say you’re a writer if you’re going through customs to a country that likes them. Excellent point. : )

    Happy deadline writing everyone!

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