Well, I was fed up with that tradition. I had this image in my head of a young girl sitting in the sand on a beach. On one side of her was a cute guy who couldn’t speak English. On her other side was an interpreter. The interpreter was telling her what the guy was saying, which went along the lines of that he loved her and they were going to get married. But this girl was chuckling sarcastically, wiping the sand off her hands and saying all kinds of sassy, yet hilarious, things. And saying no. From there, I created Milo.
Emily Kinney – 18 March 2013
The Back Flap
Milo Hestler is sick of being lonely and miserable. At fourteen, she has already moved more times than she can keep track of, and each place was more unwelcoming than the last. Her parents aren’t much help, and the only friend she has left is her own conscience. Bob the Conscience. When the most recent residence, Shady Ally (spelled without the ‘e’) turns out to be the most horrid so far, Milo begs her parents to let her go to summer camp in Australia. Her plans go awry, however, when she wakes up from a nap on the airplane to find herself totally deserted and the plane about to crash. After parachuting into the ocean and getting knocked out by a suitcase, Milo awakens on the sandy beach of a tropical island, with a boy’s face two inches from her own. The boy, though hot and friendly and evidently her savior, can’t speak English. Through a misunderstanding, Milo accidentally agrees to marry him. When she learns about her mistake, Milo is horrified, although the boy, Simon, seems nothing but delighted. Milo demands that the engagement be called off, for more than one reason, but is informed, rather menacingly, that it can’t be. That this island is governed by certain laws, and even though she’s new, she has to obey them too. Whether willingly or by force. Outraged and terrified, Milo instantly grows a hatred for Simon, despite his obvious love for her. With the wedding looming and no comfort except for an adorable six-year-old interpreter, Milo doesn’t see how she can escape. She wonders why nothing in her life always goes wrong, while perhaps facing a chance to make it right.
About the book
What is the book about?
This book, The Island of Lote, is about a sassy teenage girl named Milo Hestler. While travelling to a summer camp in Australia, her plane crashes onto a tropical island. She parachutes out into the ocean, and is rescued from drowning by a cute island boy. The boy, Simon, can’t speak English, and so Milo, misunderstanding him, accidentally says yes when he asks her to marry him. When she finds out, she is horrified. Not only is she far too young to get married, but she doesn’t even know Simon, much less love him. They can’t even speak the same language! However, when she desperately insists the whole thing be called off, she is menacingly informed that this particular island is governed by its own laws. Laws that will not be disobeyed. And even though she’s only just arrived, she is not exempt from them. Not only can she not call off the engagement, but she will marry Simon, even if they have to force her. Milo’s outrage and terror turns into a smoldering hatred for Simon, despite his obvious affection for her. Her hate and his love collide as she tries to make him as miserable as she is.
When did you start writing the book?
During Thanksgiving vacation of 2004. In the back seat of the pickup truck, on the way to the movies. I was fourteen. So long ago. At least, it feels that way to me. This book has been my baby for all this time.
How long did it take you to write it?
Comparatively, hardly any time at all. I started at the end of November and finished April 15th. Four and a half months, round abouts. Crazy. But it was honestly all I did. It was my life. My joy. I immersed myself with it. It was an amazingly creative and euphoric time for me.
Where did you get the idea from?
In the beginning, I was just dead set on writing a complete novel. I had been attempting it for years, and failing because I was young and therefore lacked discipline. I had been playing around with the idea of the damsels in jungle stories. The ones who are frail and whimper, and are typically gorgeous and wide-eyed. The jungle men, or any fictional male raised by something other than humans, become fixated with the women. This leads to them advancing upon the women, and demanding in their non-civilized speech that they will be united romantically. The women, due to the description above, traditionally give in with many gasps and swoons. Well, I was fed up with that tradition. I had this image in my head of a young girl sitting in the sand on a beach. On one side of her was a cute guy who couldn’t speak English. On her other side was an interpreter. The interpreter was telling her what the guy was saying, which went along the lines of that he loved her and they were going to get married. But this girl was chuckling sarcastically, wiping the sand off her hands and saying all kinds of sassy, yet hilarious, things. And saying no. From there, I created Milo.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Not with the first draft. The first draft was glorious. It flowed beautifully, and I got a rush of endorphins every time I thought up something new and undeniably good. It was all so organic. No blockage whatsoever. Last book for that.
What came easily?
The writing was great. I was in true first-draft form. I didn’t care about anything except getting the words onto the page. I was only concerned about keeping up with myself. It was fantastic. Nowadays I have a tendency to stress over every letter I pen. It impedes progress like you wouldn’t believe. But that’s what happens after you’ve had years of editing practice.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Hahaha. Oooh, first time I’ve had this question. It’s very funny, actually. Well, more so funny now. Back in the day it was very serious. I’ll get to that in a second, though. First, Simon was modeled after a guy I saw in church one day. In fact, if it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t have come up with the story. He inspired another story, one that I am currently writing, but back then I didn’t want to use it because it was too developed. I wanted to write from scratch. So I came up with this story, and used the same guy as the lead male, because he was still on my mind. Thank you, Justin. I owe you much. Ajsha is modeled after a little girl I went to school with, although she’s not so little anymore. And Squelch was modeled after a good friend of mine at the time. She’s also one of the people in the dedication. As far as using the actual name and personality, that’s strictly with Caleb Scumm. I used the first name, appearance, and, at the time, personality of someone I knew. Someone I was enemies with. I put him in there with that last name as an end-all revenge. Hehe. Things have worked out between us since then, and he doesn’t know he’s in here. Yet. I feel a little bad. But, back then it was all well-deserved.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Oh yeah. Of course. Where do I begin? Definitely J. K. Rowling. That woman is one of the most underrated yet famous writers in the world. Her vocabulary, her character development, her plot construction, her dialogue, it’s all nuts! It’s all the best out there. I have learned so much from her. I would read Harry Potter right before revising Lote. And then there’s Kate DiCamillo. I adore that woman. She has taught me so much about harrowing simplicity, and writing from the heart. Writing with something to say and actually saying it without cluttering up the page with a lot of unnecessary words that don’t help anything. How one or two sentences, raw and aching, can pack a punch. That woman has book-punched me so many times. She astounds me. She makes me want to do better, to challenge myself. Many others have influenced me, but those two are the biggest.
Do you have a target reader?
Anyone who likes good literature and not just the excrement that’s being passed off as such nowadays. Sorry to be harsh, but someone’s got to start speaking up. Beyond that, the teens. Oh, the teens. How we reach out our hands to you!
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
Absolutely. It begins with me sitting in my special writing chair, in my special writing corner, and then clearing my mind. I let go of all the extra real-life thoughts that could clog my creativity. And then I focus on the story I’m working on. I let it fill up my brain. I look at my notes, to figure out where I am, to allow all the puzzle pieces to shift back together and create a vague version of the whole picture. I think about the story’s needs and style, and how what’s happened before is effecting what I’m writing about now and what will happen later. Then I uncap my pen, turn to the last page I had written, concentrate on the scene, and start to write. But it all starts with me forcing myself to sit in that chair. Not always the easiest task. Things aren’t like they were nine years ago.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
It depends on how intricate the story or scene is. If it’s fairly simplistic, then I only need to keep a few details in mind and let the results flow. If it’s more detailed, then I need to take notes. Lately I’ve found taking notes and making charts extremely helpful. That’s for books as a whole, but the same goes for individual chapters. It varies. If there’s a lot going on in the chapter, I put down a sparse outline, just to align my thoughts, and then follow it as I go. It’s terrific, honestly. I always keep a list of scenes and ideas for every book I write, though. Beyond that, if the story needs more planning, then I’ll do more planning.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Well, you’re not supposed to worry about that stuff during the first draft. I call it the First Draft Mentality, where all you’re worried about is getting your thoughts onto the page. My first re-write, and I guess first edit, is when I type everything onto my computer. The Island of Lote was tossed around from PC to PC so much over the years, that the editing was never consistent. Plus, I was a youngster. When I got the chance to edit it when I got signed, it turned into a total revision, which was wonderful, since I was able to bring it up to my current writing caliber.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I was published by an independent publisher, which maybe constitutes a small press, but the option of hiring a professional was given to me. However, being a fairly broke twenty-one year old at the time (I am now a fairly broke twenty-two year old) I couldn’t afford to do it. So I took on the task myself, and I’m glad I did since, as I stated above, I was able to improve the manuscript. I didn’t skip this question because there’s something inside me that makes me want to address this. I did my absolute best. It took me a long time. If there are a few things I missed, then it’ll bother me like a screw burying itself into my spine. But no one has mentioned anything in reviews, so it obviously isn’t obstructing the integrity of the story any. Hopefully someday I can work with a professional editor. I look forward to it.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
It’s funny, because when I first wrote Lote I listened to hip-hop radio the entire time. I had just gotten heavy into hip-hop and practically did nothing but listen all the time. Even when I was writing. And I have no idea how I did it, because nowadays I need total silence to write. Any sound can distract me. But music definitely is a creative stimulant for me. I’ve thought up so many stories while listening to all kinds of music. Typically, images erupt in my mind, which I then turn into a story.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I made one attempt to submit to an agent, which ended up getting me published instead. I submitted my information online to what turned out to be the sister company of my publisher. They got a hold of my information and sent me an email asking to see my manuscript. It was one of the best mornings of my life, and a complete surprise. I do want to get a real agent eventually, though. I think I would work best with an agent.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
Like I mentioned above, it was a surprise process. I truthfully didn’t even know that indie publishing existed. I knew about self-publishing and that I wanted to avoid it. (This was before the whole success with e-readers epidemic.) After I signed with my company, I slowly learned what I had gotten into. I had read a book about publishing in 2010, but it didn’t mention anything about Indie. But, it also had nothing to say about e-books, so . . .
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I came up with the concept myself. I’ve known what I wanted the cover to look like for years. I paid for the cover to be done, because I believed so strongly in my vision for it. I think it came out stunningly beautiful, as well as very unique from all the other YA novels out right now. I want art to come back to YA novels. JF novels seem to be doing fine, as well as general fiction, but a bout of laziness seems to have swept over the YA section. A lot of photography too, which can be gorgeous, but it’s becoming way too prevalent.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
A little bit of both. This is the first time I’ve done any marketing, so I’m learning as I go. I’m starting to get organized, though. At the moment there’s only so much I can do. If I had better funds, then my options would increase, but right now I don’t. I’m doing okay, though. Trying different things. If you look at the legal graffiti wall in Portland, ME, you’ll see the title of my book.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Lock down a job. No kidding. Ask any Indie band or Indie rapper, you will need money. You may have more backing you than a self-published author, but usually everything you do will come out of your pocket. There’s a method to doing it right, but it takes funding. And be prepared to sell yourself. You’ve got to have a compelling personality, or at least be able to persuade well. Learn about marketing. It’s not fun, unless you like that sort of stuff, but it will be immensely helpful. Other than that, be creative and be brave. And don’t let anything suck the joy out of what you love to do.
About You
Where did you grow up?
In the magnificent woods of Southern Maine, in a little town called Limerick. I find this interesting, since a limerick is also a type of poem. And poetry is a kind of literature. Destiny? Maybeeeeeeeeee.
Where do you live now?
Limerick, Maine! I’ve yet to leave. I’m working on it, though. I’m aching to travel.
What would you like readers to know about you?
That I want to be a major figure in literature, and the only way I can do that is by proving myself over time. No one has yet conquered a portion of the field for young people, and that’s just what I intend to do. Books have been overlooked for way too long now, what with no one to represent for them in the media or popular culture. At the same time, there needs to be a distinct standard of excellence when it comes to the work. I want to both maintain this excellence and represent. I wish to be beneficially disruptive, as well as start a riot. My motive is clearly stated in The Story-Artisan’s Creed, which I wrote:
“For all those who daydream and are not caged by reality. Together we rise above the mundane and stale, and combine forces to eradicate monotony and mediocrity. United are we who search for beyond, stand for creativity, and reject conformity. Empowered by inspiration, we march forth, hand in hand, an army of originals. Nothing can detain us, for we are driven by love, bred for imagination, and fueled by whimsy.”
Join me.
What are you working on now?
Many things. Always many things. I’m revising a manuscript right now, as well as trying to complete the first draft of my third book. I’ve also started and planned out a lot of other books. I have bins. I have bins of notebooks. I have lists of ideas.
End of Interview:
Find out more about Emily by visiting her website or Goodreads page.
Get your copy of Island of Lote from Amazon US or Amazon UK (available in paper only).
