Cafe Chit Chat: Erin McCahan

So, this post was supposed to be apart of a blog tour...but since of some circumstances I was not able to recieve the information and post it up until now. But, oh well!

Here is an interview I did with Erin McChan the author of I Now Pronounce You Someone Else [Click HERE for review]. Enjoy!

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Wdebo: Please describe yourself in three adjectives.

Erin McCahan: red, blue, 5’7”

I got these from my driver’s license – hair, eyes and height. Driver’s licenses should come with the following warning: Photo merely approximates actual subject’s appearance. In real life, I do not walk around looking as if I’m following a very bad smell but trying to politely ignore it.

W: Please describe a typical day.
EM: Up early.
Chai/coffee with my husband.
Wave as he leaves for work.
Say morning prayers inside, in my icon corner.
Read paper, watch a few minutes of national news.
Go up to my desk.
Write.
Delete.
Stare blankly at computer screen.
Write.
Get on the treadmill.
Go back to writing.
Race up to the store at 5:30 when I realize I have nothing in the house for dinner.
Dinner.
Read.
Sleep.
Up early . . .

Yes, it’s true. Writers lead exciting lives.

W: How did you come up with the storyline for I Now Pronounce You Someone Else?
EM: It evolved from the collision of three elements:

1. My shameless fascination with weddings. From black tie to blue jeans, I love weddings.
2. My own alias, which I gave myself in the event I ever need to leave the country in a hurry. Phoebe Lilywhite – sounds English, which I long to be, and also sounds like someone who has never been tan in her life. That’s definitely me.
3. My relationship with my step-dad – who died before I had a chance to tell him how much I loved him.

W: What do you believe is one important message readers will take from your book?
EM: The one that most people write me about it this: You really need to know who you are as an individual before you become part of a couple – before you become an “Us,” as Bronwen says.

W: If you were stranded on an island and could only bring five items what would they be?
EM: Wood, a saw, a hammer and two shipbuilders to build a boat to get us off the island we got stranded on.

W: Are you working on any projects now? And if so, can you please tell us about them?
EM: Yes, I’m working on another YA novel, tentatively called Kissing Mr. Glaser. In it, brainy sixteen-year-old Josie Sheridan falls in love with a guy who falls in love with Josie’s older sister who is engaged to a man Josie hates. When the sister seems to return Josie’s love interest’s feelings, Josie finds herself armed with all the ammunition she needs to prevent her sister’s wedding. But Josie hesitates and must examine how pure her motives are, where her loyalty lies and just what this business of love is all about.

W: Who are some of your favorite authors?
EM: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Kurt Vonnegut, J.D. Salinger, David McCullough, Annie Dillard, Francisco X. Stork, Katherine Howe.

W: What is your FAVORITE book in the world?
EM: Franny and Zooey

W: Do you have anything else you would like to add?
EM: Yes. I would like to add 13, 679 and 4,192. In my head. Just to see if I can.

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Hope you enjoyed!

Wdebo :)