Cai Emmons
Author Interview - Cai Emmons
Author of SINKING ISLANDS
SINKING ISLANDS continues the story of Bronwyn Artair, a scientist who possesses the power to influence the weather and other natural forces of the Earth. After several successful interventions stopping fires and tornados, she has gone into hiding, worried about unintended consequences of her actions, as well as about the ethics of operating solo. But circumstances call her to action again, and an idea takes shape: What if she could impart her skill to other people? Gathering a few kindred souls from climate-troubled places around the world—Felipe from Sao Paulo where drought conditions are creating strains on day-to-day life, Analu and his daughter Penina from a sinking island in the South Pacific, Patty from the tornado-ridden plains of Kansas—she takes them to the wilds of Northern New Hampshire where she tries to teach them her skill. The novel, realistic but for the single fantastical element, explores how we might become more attuned to the Earth and act more collaboratively to solve the enormity of our climate problem.
Author Interview - Cai Emmons
Author I draw inspiration from: Whenever I get stuck I return to the work of Virginia Woolf. I admire her experimentation from book to book--MRS. DALLOWAY, TO THE LIGHTHOUSE, ORLANDO, THE WAVES, they are all such different books! She was clearly not stuck herself, although her diaries do document her ups and downs with writing. I also really love that she tried to nail the nature of human consciousness and thinking, something I think a lot about in my own writing. Another writer I return to frequently is Colum McCann, particularly his novel TRANSATLANTIC. His lyrical language is mesmerizing, and I love the bold way he combines fictional characters with real people from history. This is something I aspire to do in a future book.
Author Interview - Cai Emmons | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book: Anywhere quiet where I can fully relax my body and allow my mind to travel. It might be on our cozy living room couch, or on a wicker chair on the front porch, or propped up in bed.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: I love the character of Lillian in Kevin Wilson's novel NOTHING TO SEE HERE. In the novel she is in charge of two kids who have the unfortunate tendency to spontaneously burst into flames. She has to handle these very dicey situations when they ignite, and she is amazingly good at it. She is smart, full of ideas, down to earth, and self-deprecating (a trait that endears me to people). Also, she's got a great tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. She would be the perfect person to brainstorm with about how to get ourselves unstuck!
Author Interview - Cai Emmons | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: When I was eight years old I compiled a book of my poetry for my parents, trying to make it look like a "real" book. I remember the pride I felt when I gave it to them, and it instilled in me the desire to see my writing printed in a "real" book.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: Paperback. I love reading "actual" books where I can turn the pages and maybe even write in the margins. I especially love paperbacks for their portability, and there's nothing better than a paperback I can slip into my purse. I spend too much time on the computer as it is, so I am not a fan of ebooks. I do like audiobooks, but I can't seem to figure out when to listen to them unless I'm driving long distances. Then there is nothing better than an audio book to speed the journey.
The last book I read: HAMNET by Maggie O'Farrell. I am always on the lookout for immersive novels--which aren't always easy to come by--and this book, which takes place in England in 1590 during The Black Death, was definitely one of those.
Author Interview - Cai Emmons | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer: I write longhand on a pad of lined paper which enables me to scribble notes here and there in the margins. My first drafts are filled with asterisks and legible to no one but me! With a computer I am much too aware of interfacing with other people (like the engineers who create the software that sometimes intrudes with autocorrect, etc.). It makes it feel as if others are in the room with me, and I prefer to write in solitude.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: I would be best friends with the unnamed narrator of Alice McDermott's THAT NIGHT. She is introspective, observant, humble, traits that many of Alice McDermott's characters share. I can imagine we would have great talks about life and she would have things to teach me. I also think she would be a really loyal friend. Another best friend candidate is Lydia, the narrator of Miriam Gershow's THE LOCAL NEWS. Full disclosure, Miriam is a close friend of mine, and Lydia is not exactly like Miriam, but they share a sense of humor and a droll view of the world. I am quite sure Lydia and I would be best friend candidates.
Author Interview - Cai Emmons | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a: I would love to be a science writer, writing about many different topics in science and being a go-between connecting scientists and laypeople. I love science and know far too little about it. When I'm writing about something that necessitates scientific research, as my novels WEATHER WOMAN and SINKING ISLANDS required, I am always stimulated. Often what I read is beyond my full comprehension, and I love that feeling of being stretched .
Favorite decade in fashion history: I love the fashion freedom of NOW--especially since the pandemic began, anything goes! I can dress up, or be grungy, as the moment suits me! I have a full closet of clothes, most of which "spark joy" and during the pandemic I began to realize that it didn't have to be going out to dress up in some of my nicer clothes. Now I circulate through them all irrespective of my day's activities.
Place I’d most like to travel: I had a trip planned to Ireland in 2020 that had to be canceled because of the pandemic, so I would love to reschedule that trip and explore Ireland's history and literary culture and hike through those verdant hills. I am also drawn to Bali, because of its physical beauty, and also because it reputedly has a culture in which the arts thrive in daily lives.
My signature drink: I enjoy a buttery Chardonnay. Also, this summer we have been drinking gin and tonics made with beautiful indigo Empress Gin, which turns pink when you add the tonic. It is a wonderful festive party drink.
Favorite artist: I have long been a fan of Matisse for his vibrant use of color. And when I was writing my novel THE STYLIST I came to appreciate the work of Caravaggio whose paintings are stunning for their display of emotional intensity. I also have a number of friends who are painters--Medrie MacPhee, Andrea Schwartz-Feit, Molly Cliff Hilts--and I have collected pieces of their work over the years which offers the additional pleasure of bringing their presence into my home.
Number one on my bucket list: I might be the only person I know who has no bucket list!
Find more from the author:
@caiemmons on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram
Author Bio: Cai Emmons is the author of seven books of fiction: the novels His MOTHER’S SON (winner of the Oregon Book Award), THE STYLIST, WEATHER WOMAN, as well as the forthcoming titles SINKING ISLANDS (Fall 2021), UNLEASHED (2022) and HAIR ON FIRE (working title, 2022). Her collection of short stories, VANISHING, won the Leapfrog Press fiction contest. Emmons’s short work has appeared in such publications as The LA Times, Ms. Magazine, TriQuarterly, Narrative, Arts and Culture, The Santa Monica Review, LitHub, and Electric Literature, among others. Before turning to fiction, Emmons wrote plays and screenplays, and she has taught film and fiction at various universities, most recently the University of Oregon. She is now a full-time writer.
