Author Interview with Eileen Lettick

The DMS was lucky enough to interview Eileen Lettick. Lizzy recently reviewed Sarah the Bold and it was great to share our thoughts about it and hear yours. We are excited to learn a little bit more about the story behind her awesome stories. So, without further ado... take it away, Eileen!

What inspired you to write Sarah the Bold?  

I was teaching a unit on Colonial America and I searched for a book that would incorporate some of the facts my students were learning, but I couldn’t find one that really covered a lot of the material, so I decided to write one myself.

How long did it take you to write Sarah the Bold?

It took me 2 ½ years to research and write the book. I got up every morning at 5:30 am before school and wrote until 6:30 am when it was time for me to get ready for work. When it was completed, I used it in my classroom.

What was your research process like for Sarah the Bold?

As I said, I was teaching a social studies unit on Colonial America, so I had already done some research through books that I was using to teach my students, but when I decided that the setting would be Guilford, a seaport town in Connecticut, it seemed only logical to start at their public library to learn more about my setting. From there I went to the Henry Whitfield House, the Noah Webster House and Old Sturbridge Village.

Was there any aspect of your research that was the most interesting?

There were three places I found extremely interesting. The Guilford Public Library had a fabulous historical documents room, and the librarian was very helpful in establishing the physical setting for 1765 Guilford and nearby New Haven. I also came across a posting for a Sons of Liberty meeting in one of the books. That was pretty exciting. When I went on to visit the Henry Whitfield House, also in Guilford, I spotted a replication of a posting for a runaway slave. That was when I decided that it would add excitement and tension if my main character was African-American and mistaken for a runaway slave. Then she would not only need to deal with the time difference, but also the racial sentiment of those times. I also loved Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. Even though the village is based on a time period a little later than my novel, it was a wonderful resource for me to learn about village trades.

What is your writing process like? Do you listen to music? Write in a special place? Edit as you go or write and then edit?

I’ve always been a slow writer. And I guess because I am still a school teacher at heart, I edit as I go. It bothers me to just plow ahead and not fix things that I know are wrong. When I finish writing something, I read it aloud, and then when I think it flows pretty well and is ready to share with my critique group, I bring it to them and ask for their input. Then I take it home and revise accordingly. And if I’m being truthful here, I don’t always take all of my group’s suggestions. If I think they have merit, I use them. Others I ignore. As far as a special place for writing goes, I must go upstairs to what I call “my tower.” I can’t have any music or sounds going on around me when I write. It distracts me.

 

What are some of your favorite books from childhood?

When I was growing up, I liked The Bobbsey Twins, The Hardy Boys and Beverly Cleary’s Books. I remember vividly reading my first romance novel when I was about twelve and hiding it from my mother. The title was Watch for a Tall White Sail by Margaret Bell. It was very steamy for me.

Were there any specific authors who inspired you?

As I grew older, I loved anything John Steinbeck wrote. His descriptions and sense of setting were outstanding.

If you could live during any time period in history, when would it be?

I think I would like to go back to the 60s. Why? It was a time of silliness and innocence for me. A time of roller skates, the Good Humor Man, and the Beatles. I grew up the second oldest of fifteen children in a house with only one bathroom. My parents didn’t put in another bathroom until I went off to college. (That part I wouldn’t wish on anyone). When I look back on those days though, I remember the goofiness, the laughter and the love my siblings and I shared. I wish I had a time machine to zoom back there.

If you could befriend a character from your book, who would you befriend?

That’s an easy one. I would befriend Will Bayers. He had a good sense of humor, was a little mischievous, and could teach me the tinsmith trade.

Is there anything you’ve learned along your path to publication that you would like to share with new writers?

Yes. Good things take time to do them well, and the writing life might seem very cool, but often it’s not. It’s hard work and you must keep at it. It’s waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to get back to sleep because one of your characters is talking to you. It’s writer’s cramp and writer’s block. It’s not knowing what to say to friends when they ask, “When are you going to get that book published?” But a real writer knows that whatever the cost, it’s worth it. Because the prize is some day to see a child’s eyes glued to a book with YOUR name on it.

Where can we purchase your book?

Sarah the Bold is available wherever books are sold. You can find it online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Enter the giveaway for a signed paperback copy of Sarah the Bold! Comment below for a chance to win or comment on the review. One winner will be randomly chosen. Good luck!