Interview: Christine Marciniak

You want a definition of unputdownable (with apologies to Ann Kingman, who despises that word)? I stood in front of my computer desk for two hours the first time I read When Mike Kissed Emma. The laptop battery had run down, so I had to plug in, but I hadn't gotten around to getting a chair for my desk. And yet I was so engrossed in the story I didn't want to leave it.

Now it's everyone else's turn, because this is When Mike Kissed Emma's launch week. It's Christine Marciniak's debut novel, and she's dropped by here to answer some questions about it.

(Full disclosure: Chris is a member of my critique group, and obviously I'm not an unbiased reader. To see what other people - ones who don't know Chris - have said about When Mike Kissed Emma, check out the reviews on Chris' blog, Simply Put.

What does your writing space look like?

My writing space looks very much like my living room. A couple of years ago I got a laptop computer - since then I've ceded the desktop to the kids and my husband (I used to sit at an actual desk and type). Now I hang out on the sofa, usually with a cup of tea next to me, and work that way.

Who would you cast in the movie of When Mike Kissed Emma?

I'm so not up on who the teen actors are these days. Zac Efron might make a good Mike. I'm kind of lost though on good ideas for Trevor and Emma. Any suggestions?

Are you a performer like Emma?

When I was in elementary and middle school I really enjoyed being on stage and did a few different things, including our Eighth Grade Production, which was a blast. Since then I haven't been on stage, but I did work backstage on a number of high school shows.

(Chris talks about her theatrical history in more detail at Simply Put.)

Have you thought about what comes next for the characters?

I suppose it would be too easy to say that they live happily ever after. I don't know if Mike and Emma are destined to stay together forever. I do know that they are going to have fun getting to really know each other and hang out together at least through high school.

What advice would high school you give Emma?

Emma seems to have it pretty much figured out. One good piece of advice would be: don't worry so much about what your friends think, be true to yourself.

What's your favorite part of The Sound of Music?

My favorite part of the movie is when Maria is singing "I've Got Confidence" as she goes up to the big house. I like how she puts on a brave face and chases away her fears. And also, like Emma, I love the scene where Liesl and Rolf are dancing in the gazebo.