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fabulous historical documents room, and the librarian was very helpful in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?
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!
