Interview: Kristi Cook

Hello Kristi,

welcome to Miss Page-Turner’s City of Books. My interest in HAVEN was captured by a little bookmark sent to me by a fellow blogger friend. Now after reading HAVEN, I am happy to have you here and get the chance to present your debut novel to my readers.

Would you like to introduce yourself to Miss Page-Turner's City of Books' readers first? Give us five facts characterizing you best!

1) I'm a voracious reader. I read a lot, and I talk about books a lot. 

2) I love movies, and often get obsessed about a particular movie/actor. 

3) The only thing I love more than being a writer?! Being a mom! My kids rock! 

4) I love the color lavender. Everything about it is peaceful and comforting to me. 

5) I am still recovering from the absence of LOST on TV, but Hawaii Five-O is doing a good job filling the gap!

Make sure to visit www.kristi-cook.com

Your debut novel HAVEN is published on February 22nd 2011. How would you describe the whole process between the day you first had the idea for HAVEN and today?

It's been a very long process-I started the book a long time ago (2005, I think), and then mostly finished it a couple (or a few?) years ago. I feel like the story's been in my head for a long, long time, and I'm so happy to finally get to share it.

What's HAVEN about? Describe it in five words.

Psychic Powers. Secret Destinies. Love.

How did you come up with the idea for it?

A scene just popped into my head one day--a scene that later became the beginning on Chapter Two. It intrigued me, and I wanted to figure out who these people were, and what their story was. Why had she come to a new school? Who was this guy with the awesome eyes? What was their connection? What was with his British accent? Once I figured those things out, I had an entire plot on my hands!

What do you like most about being a writer?

Working at home in my PJs! That, and sharing the crazy stories in my head with other people.

Do you have any food/ drink/music/special something that supports you during your writing process and what is your rewarding after a successful day of writing?

Chocolate helps! Sometimes I can listen to music while I write, and sometimes I can't. I think it depends on how focused I am at any given time. After a successful day of writing, my favorite reward is to curl up in bed with a good book!

If you could have dinner with one literary character of your choice, who would it be?

Jane Austen! 

The setting of HAVEN is the boarding school Winterhaven which accommodates students with special psychic talents. Which psychic gift would you like to have?

Definitely astral projection, like the character Cece. It's something I've been totally fascinated about ever since reading Lois Duncan's STRANGER WITH MY FACE when I was about 12. 

If your book was an ice cream flavour, what would its name be?

Oh, man…I am NOT clever enough for this! Let's call it “Winterhaven Whorls.” You don't know what it is, exactly, but you're drawn to it, anyway!

Do you have any book recommendations for our life after HAVEN?

I have two! DIE FOR ME by Amy Plum, and DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth. I read ARCs of both and loved them!!

You love your readers because…?

They are so amazingly supportive and warm and funny and nice! I feel like I have this wonderful “book family” out there that goes far beyond anything to do with HAVEN-it's more about a shared love of YA fiction!

Is there anything you always wanted to say in an interview but never have? Now is the time

Hmmm, not really. I am SO boring!

Nah you aren't ;) Thank you so much for this interview! I cannot wait for the sequel to HAVEN and I am sure this series will be loved by readers from all countries.

Thanks so much for having me!

:o) Kristi

( Kristi always posts that smiley, isn't it cute? I couldn't help but post it in here)

Want to know what I think about HAVEN? Read my review of it here !