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If you’ve ever dreamed of living a different life, diving into a whirlwind romantic tryst abroad, or confessing how you really feel to an old heartbreaker, then Seven Days of You is the book for you. In the YA novel, Sophia Wachowski is trying to have an unforgettable last seven days in Tokyo when her old crush appears and wrecks her plans… or does he? Trust us: You’ll be flying through the pages to find out. We chatted with author Cecilia Vinesse about the inspiration behind the novel, some of her lady heroes, and more. Scroll on to meet the brilliant author who will have you swooning.
Brit + Co: Describe your book in six words or less.
Cecilia Vinesse: One girl’s love letter to Tokyo.
B+C: Where/when do you do your best writing?
CV: First thing in the morning sitting at my desk with an oversized cup of coffee. I used to write as much as I could outside of the house — in coffee shops or libraries — but in the past year, I’ve realized I get much better work done at home.
Plus, I can surround myself with all the things I love: shelves of my books, jars of pencils and pens, a legal pad for jotting down notes, chocolate-covered espresso beans, and my personal favorite — my puppy, Malfi.
B+C: What’s your go-to cure for when you’re stuck in a creativity rut?
CV: I take my dog for a walk and listen to a podcast. I’m obsessed with podcasts, and one of my rules for staying creative is: Fill your day with things that make you happy. A few of my recent go-tos are: My Favorite Murder (for true crime fans), How Did This Get Made? (for movie fans), and Call Your Girlfriend (for everyone with a BFF).
I also really enjoy WTF With Marc Maron — it’s a great resource for conversations with artists about how they deal with their processes and maintain a creative career.
B+C: What two lady heroes do you turn to for inspiration, and why?
CV: This is such a difficult question, but I’ll make it easier on myself by going with two women I turned to constantly while writing Seven Days of You.
I’m a huge Sofia Coppola fan, and I’ve watched Lost in Translation more times than I can count. I love the Tokyo setting (for obvious reasons), but I also really admire the whimsical beauty of her movies, the way she forged her own path as a director, and how she tells stories about young women without a hint of condescension. These things were good touchstones for me to return to while trying to figure out what I wanted to accomplish with my own work. (Photo via Getty/Michael Loccisano )
For the second one… it might be a cliché, but I have to say Jane Austen. I read all her books for the first time over the course of a couple of weeks while living in a really tiny, cold dorm room in London, and I’d claim that as the best reading experience of my whole life. Not only did she write incredible, sweeping romances, she did so with such wit and mastery of language. This is honestly the highest goal I could ever hope to achieve. (Photo via Getty/Hulton Archive)
B+C: What’s your latest Instagram obsession?
CV: I’m not-so-secretly obsessed with baking and could easily spend hours poring over baking Instagrams. (Sometimes for inspiration, sometimes because it’s easier than getting up to actually do the baking.) A couple I really like are @sarah_fel and @pastryaffair. But my hands-down favorite is @smittenkitchen; her grasshopper brownies are the best baked good recipe I have ever come across. No joke.
B+C: Can you name a book that you think deserves a little more love + recognition?
A book I recommend far and wide is When My Heart Was Wicked by Tricia Stirling. I think of it as a Sofia Coppola LA fairy tale — an actual fairy tale with magic and curses and everything. I’ve inhaled it several times and would especially recommend it to fans of Francesca Lia Block.
B+C: What’s next on your to-read pile?
CV: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
B+C: What advice do you have for aspiring creative ladies?
CV: Honestly, I’d say the same thing I say to myself every day: Yes, you need to work hard but you also need to create space for daydreaming and inspiration. Read books, watch movies, listen to podcasts, go to concerts, bake, travel, doodle, knit.
It’s easy to tell ourselves these things are frivolous, but they’re not. They give our minds time to wander, and explore, and find the stories we want to tell. Plus, taking care of yourself should always, always be a top priority.
Got an author you’d like to see interviewed? Tweet us @BritandCo and let us know!
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(Featured photo via Cecilia Vinesse)
