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Interview with Sarah Pekkanen
Interview with Sarah Pekkanen
Interview with Sarah Pekkanen
A Conversation with Sarah Pekkanen, Author of The Opposite of Me
1. What was the inspiration for your book? Is it based on any real events in your life?
Nope; it’s pure fiction. I’m lucky to have two brothers I adore, but I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a sister. I’m fascinated by the rich, complex relationships my friends have with their sisters – so when it came time to write The Opposite of Me, I made the relationship between Lindsey and Alex as messy and loving and complicated and competitive as possible.
I’m also intrigued by the way people get assigned certain labels in their family, like the “smart” one, the “pretty sister,” the “drama queen,” or the “peacemaker.” What if those labels don’t fit how we feel inside? What if they’re all wrong for who we are really meant to be?
2. What do you think the term “chick lit” means today? Is that what you would consider this story?
I think chick lit refers to fun, smart books about women who are figuring out their choices in life. As in every other genre, there is a wide range of books - some better than others. I’m not sure if The Opposite of Me will be classified as chick lit. I’m just hoping people will think of it as a good book!
3. Have you had bosses like the ones in the story? Or were you that type of driven employee yourself?
Luckily, I’ve never had the kind of bosses Lindsey had in New York (though I’ve had several bosses who turned into friends, like May did with Lindsey). I’m not especially driven – I watch far too much Reality TV and I have a love affair with Sunday afternoon naps -- but I am passionate about writing. I can’t imagine my life without it. It’s what I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a child, when I used to get in trouble in school for not paying attention and wandering into the wrong classroom ten minutes after the bell rang. I was busy creating stories in my mind – and I still do it today, which means I often miss my exit on the highway and don’t realize it until half an hour later. By the way, my husband just loves this quality in me.
4. You are from Maryland yourself; did you find it easier to write about an area you knew?
Definitely: I knew it would be fun to write about my hometown and give cameos to my favorite spots and restaurants. But someday I’d love to stretch my imagination and create a fictional town as a setting, too. Can you imagine the sense of power as you create tall buildings and lakes and highways while you sip your morning cup of coffee?
5. Why did you decide to make Lindsey and Alex twins? Do you think that creates a special bond or competition between them?
I’ve always heard that twins do have a special connection, and some even create their own language as babies, or have a physical reaction at the precise moment something bad happens to the other one miles away. But when I sat down to write, I wondered what would happen if Lindsey and Alex were complete opposites. What if they had absolutely nothing in common, yet were constantly compared because they were twins? How would that shape their relationship?
6. The parents were such lovable, fun characters. Are they based on your own parents, or were you just hoping to add a lighthearted touch to the story?
Thank you! They’re completely fictional, although my parents read The Opposite of Me and expressed suspicion about a few similarities (my parents adore Ikea’s low-priced breakfasts, lingonberries and all). I love books that make me laugh, so I wanted Lindsey and Alex’s parents to provide some comic relief. I grew really fond of the parents, and hope readers will, too.
7. Have you ever gone on a blind date? Why was that a field you decided to throw Lindsey into?
I’ve never been on a real blind date – I can only imagine the angst and phone calls to my friends and quantity of hair care products involved! - but I thought a dating service would provide such great material for a novel that I couldn’t resist making it Lindsey’s new workplace. It was interesting to dream up all the reasons why someone would seek out a dating service, and I tried to give Lindsey an eclectic mix of clients.
8. I’m sure everyone is curious: is honey on popcorn actually good?
Ooh, it’s so good. One of my sons’ babysitters made it that way once, and I loved it. As Alex says, it’s “worth the sticky fingers.” Try it!
9. Finally, what projects are you working on now?
I’m diving into the next book, which isn’t a sequel and doesn’t have a title yet (I’m terrible at coming up with titles; my editor dreamed up The Opposite of Me after I suggested a few clunkers). And I’m gearing up to meet with lots of groups and book clubs who want to discuss The Opposite of Me – please contact me via my website at www.sarahpekkanen.com if you’d like for me to visit or phone in to chat with your group!
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1. What was the inspiration for your book? Is it based on any real events in your life?
Nope; it’s pure fiction. I’m lucky to have two brothers I adore, but I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a sister. I’m fascinated by the rich, complex relationships my friends have with their sisters – so when it came time to write The Opposite of Me, I made the relationship between Lindsey and Alex as messy and loving and complicated and competitive as possible.
I’m also intrigued by the way people get assigned certain labels in their family, like the “smart” one, the “pretty sister,” the “drama queen,” or the “peacemaker.” What if those labels don’t fit how we feel inside? What if they’re all wrong for who we are really meant to be?
2. What do you think the term “chick lit” means today? Is that what you would consider this story?
I think chick lit refers to fun, smart books about women who are figuring out their choices in life. As in every other genre, there is a wide range of books - some better than others. I’m not sure if The Opposite of Me will be classified as chick lit. I’m just hoping people will think of it as a good book!
3. Have you had bosses like the ones in the story? Or were you that type of driven employee yourself?
Luckily, I’ve never had the kind of bosses Lindsey had in New York (though I’ve had several bosses who turned into friends, like May did with Lindsey). I’m not especially driven – I watch far too much Reality TV and I have a love affair with Sunday afternoon naps -- but I am passionate about writing. I can’t imagine my life without it. It’s what I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a child, when I used to get in trouble in school for not paying attention and wandering into the wrong classroom ten minutes after the bell rang. I was busy creating stories in my mind – and I still do it today, which means I often miss my exit on the highway and don’t realize it until half an hour later. By the way, my husband just loves this quality in me.
4. You are from Maryland yourself; did you find it easier to write about an area you knew?
Definitely: I knew it would be fun to write about my hometown and give cameos to my favorite spots and restaurants. But someday I’d love to stretch my imagination and create a fictional town as a setting, too. Can you imagine the sense of power as you create tall buildings and lakes and highways while you sip your morning cup of coffee?
5. Why did you decide to make Lindsey and Alex twins? Do you think that creates a special bond or competition between them?
I’ve always heard that twins do have a special connection, and some even create their own language as babies, or have a physical reaction at the precise moment something bad happens to the other one miles away. But when I sat down to write, I wondered what would happen if Lindsey and Alex were complete opposites. What if they had absolutely nothing in common, yet were constantly compared because they were twins? How would that shape their relationship?
6. The parents were such lovable, fun characters. Are they based on your own parents, or were you just hoping to add a lighthearted touch to the story?
Thank you! They’re completely fictional, although my parents read The Opposite of Me and expressed suspicion about a few similarities (my parents adore Ikea’s low-priced breakfasts, lingonberries and all). I love books that make me laugh, so I wanted Lindsey and Alex’s parents to provide some comic relief. I grew really fond of the parents, and hope readers will, too.
7. Have you ever gone on a blind date? Why was that a field you decided to throw Lindsey into?
I’ve never been on a real blind date – I can only imagine the angst and phone calls to my friends and quantity of hair care products involved! - but I thought a dating service would provide such great material for a novel that I couldn’t resist making it Lindsey’s new workplace. It was interesting to dream up all the reasons why someone would seek out a dating service, and I tried to give Lindsey an eclectic mix of clients.
8. I’m sure everyone is curious: is honey on popcorn actually good?
Ooh, it’s so good. One of my sons’ babysitters made it that way once, and I loved it. As Alex says, it’s “worth the sticky fingers.” Try it!
9. Finally, what projects are you working on now?
I’m diving into the next book, which isn’t a sequel and doesn’t have a title yet (I’m terrible at coming up with titles; my editor dreamed up The Opposite of Me after I suggested a few clunkers). And I’m gearing up to meet with lots of groups and book clubs who want to discuss The Opposite of Me – please contact me via my website at www.sarahpekkanen.com if you’d like for me to visit or phone in to chat with your group!
