Our Write Out Loud interviews are going strong and I’m really enjoying learning from fellow writers. I hope you’re getting something out of these interviews, too. Today’s interviewee is Carol Gordon Ekster. Carol has taught public school for 35 years, and her first book, “Where Am I Sleeping Tonight?-A Story of Divorce”, was published Fall 2008.

WOL: Welcome, Carol. Why don’t you start by briefly telling us about your book?

CE: Where Am I Sleeping Tonight? A Story of Divorce (Boulden Publishing, Fall 2008) is a book for elementary students about shared custody. Mark and his younger brother Evan have confusing living arrangements, ever since their parents’ divorce. This shared custody agreement, two days at one house then two days at the other, leaves them feeling confused, frustrated, and even a little angry with their parents for getting a divorce. But with time, effort, and the assistance of Mark’s parents and teacher, Mark starts to come to terms with his parents’ divorce, and decides he wants to be someone his younger brother and others can count on.

WOL: Where did the idea for your book come from?

CE: I’ve been a fourth grade teacher for 35 years. More and more of my students experienced the pain of divorce over the years. This touched me. But there was one boy who had a schedule like the main character, and I had to write this story. I think I also wanted to get across the fact, as I do in my classroom, that you always want to be someone who can be counted on, that no matter what goes on in your life, you need to be responsible. I believe that responsible and caring citizens can make the world a better place.

WOL: How long did it take you to write?

CE: I started this story in February 2004, and started submitting it about six weeks later, which was too soon. I’m definitely learning to slow down and hold on to pieces longer before submitting. My first rejection was a personal note. My eighth time sending it out, I got great feedback from an editor. Her comments moved me to the revision that I believe sold the book. I brought it to my critique groups and revised some more. Revision is key to good writing. About two years after I started to write it, I sold the story. It came out another two years after that. Writing takes patience!

WOL: Did your story start with a character idea or a plot idea?

CE: For me it was both. I wanted to write about divorce, and I had this very special boy in my class that year who inspired the story.

WOL: Where is your favorite place to write?

CE: I’ll write anywhere, but I do love to write on my three-season porch, outside on my deck, or at the beach. And believe it or not, I feel an amazing sense of focus when I’m flying! I always bring pieces to work on when I’m on a plane.

WOL: Writers are often known for their vices. What is your biggest writer’s vice?

CE: Oh, goodness. I’m a very controlled person with a lot of willpower. I never even tried cigarettes! But if you’re just talking about a writing vice, a bad writing habit, I’d have to say it’s not being able to sit still and focus on one piece for a long time.

WOL: What does your writing routine look like? Do you schedule your writing or do you write when inspiration strikes?

CE: Because I teach full-time, I don’t really have a routine. I spend evenings and weekends on writing or promotion when report cards or grading doesn’t squeeze that out, but I don’t have a set routine. I’d prefer to keep this part of my life unscheduled, although I want to spend most of my free time on my writing.

WOL: What are you working on now?

CE: There are presently eight new files in my “working on” folder on my desktop. But I also work on my 30ish other pieces that I submit. When I get back a rejection, I work on resubmitting. In reading pieces over before I submit, I usually make minor revisions. I recently sold a piece to a magazine. I was hoping it would be a picture book, but feel grateful that I sold another story.

WOL: Are you prone to working on multiple projects at the same time, or do you spend all your time on one project until it’s complete and then move on? Why?

CE: I do work on multiple projects at the same time. My mind works that way. I’m a good multi-tasker. I work on what moves me. I’m trying hard not to have this be another deadline or pressure in my life. I want my writing to come from a place of joy and not expectation.

WOL: That’s a great way to look at writing, Carol. Thanks so much for sharing your writing life with us.

If you’d like to know more about Carol, you can follow her on Twitter or find her at www.carolgordonekster.com.