All About Eve (slightly revised)

Jeff Cohen

A few weeks ago, when finishing an interview with my wife, I jokingly suggested that if enough people responded to that one, perhaps I'd follow up by interviewing one of my children. 

At least, I thought I was joking.

My 18-year-old daughter Eve, who as with most daughters has her dad wrap-ped squar-ely around all 10 of her fin-gers, heard about the interview with her mother and when I suggested in passing that she could be next, responded enthusiastically. So I thought it might be an interesting exercise in talking a little bit to the next generation of readers about what does and does not appeal. And about what it's like to have a slightly odd father with an unusual profession.

What follows is verbatim. Believe me.

One caviat: I believe with ever fiber of my being that my daughter is a remarkable, fascinating person and a fine human being. If you think otherwise, do not bother to comment.

Jeff Cohen: So how was it different growing up with a parent who was a writer, and not, say, an insurance salesman?

Eve Cohen: You were here (in the house) all the time. I think that's why we're so close, because I saw you more often than other people saw their dads. It always seemed like that (writing) was just your job, especially the (work) that wasn't the books, for newspapers and things. The books seemed more like what you wanted, more than other people's dads complaining about their jobs.

JC: You didn't read my books when they were coming out because at the beginning you were too young. How did you feel about them when you could read them?

EC: I wasn't allowed to read them at first, and then I read (AS DOG IS MY WITNESS) because I knew it was dedicated to me. But at the same time, the (Double Feature) books were coming out, so I read those when they were new and went back to read the Aaron Tucker books later. It was kind of fun when the girl in the books did something that I thought was like me, but I knew you didn't like it when people said the family in the books was really our family, so I felt bad when I thought that. I see the girl in the new books (The Haunted Guesthouse series) doing things like I would have done at that age, so maybe it's just me. 

JC: You shouldn't have felt bad about that. I remember you telling me once that you considered the sound of computer keys being hit soothing, and you thought it was because you'd always heard that when you came home from school and I was writing.

EC: You hear computer keys all the time, and I didn't think about why I liked it at first, but when I thought about where I'd heard that most often, it occurred to me that it was here.

JC: I know you're not crazy about the concept of an e-reader, and that surprised me when you first said so. Young people are supposed to love new technology. What's your thinking on e-readers like the Kindle?

EC: I wouldn't like it for me because I like holding the book in my hand and holding the page. Sliding a finger across the screen wouldn't do it for me. I understand why people like them, but I find books comforting, and part of that is the object itself.

JC: Which of my books is your favorite now that you're old enough to have read them all?

EC: I really like the ghost ones (NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEED and AN UNINVITED GHOST), both of them. Alison is my favorite narrator.

JC: What about books by other authors?

EC: I loved HOLES from the time I first read it. I love the Harry Potter books and I really like TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. I like dystopian society books, too. I have to like the main character, and don't like those books where you're not supposed to. 

JC: What is it about Harry Potter?

EC: Part of it is the characters. (Rowling) created an entire world and the length of the series allowed people to be in it for a while. You kept learning stuff aobut it and it's very satisfying to have the whole plot come together like that, and have a whole world you can go to.

JC: You don't like to write. Your mom is a lawyer, and you don't want to do that either. Why do you think that is?

EC: Writing makes me nervous. It's really personal and I don't like being judged on creative things so much. I don't care if I get a math problem wrong, but writing is a personality thing. I guess I didn't want to do what either of you did because I heard you both complaining about it. You both like what you do, but everyone complains about their job. I didn't have to hear other parents complain about their jobs.

JC: Do people your age like to read? Is it a myth that nobody under 30 is a reader anymore? I know both you and your brother (Happy Birthday, Josh!) like to read.

EC: My friends like to read. Even if people don't read books, they'll just read online instead. It's who you are, not how old you are. Some people like to read. I love to read.

Comments

[Joan Oliver Emmer]

Loved getting to know your daughter. "I find books comforting" - my kind of gal. Have I got a guy for her....

[Jeff Cohen]

Depends, Joan. How old is he?

[Joan Oliver Emmer]

Old enough to be my son.

[Laura (in PA)]

I love this - you have a smart young lady there. My daughter is 22, and loves to read too. It makes me happy to see young people embrace it, because I know it will always be a source of pleasure they can turn to anytime.

[Noraadrienne.wordpress.com]

Jeff, she sounds like a very well grounded young woman. I hope my grand daughter's turn out that well.

She'll bring you tons of nachus.

[Sarah]

What a wonderful sounding daughter you have.

'It's who you are, not how old you are.'
My sentiments exactly.

[jenny milchman]

Your daughter sounds like someone I'd like to meet! What a feeling, articulate girl. Also an adorable baby :)

[Dru]

I like that your daughter knows who she is...you did a good job.

[Caroline Clemmons]

Jeff, lovely interview with Eve. She sounds like a lovely, intelligent young woman. In fact, the interview makes your family sound very nice.

[Another reader]

I really enjoyed this interview. Most interesting. Like your daughter, I want a protagonist I like. Exception: Elmore Leonard. I wondered if he is an exception to her.

[Gym Equipments Bangalore]

Good blog..It makes me happy to see young people embrace it, because I know it will always be a source of pleasure they can turn to anytime. . In fact, the interview makes your family sound very nice.

[Gym Equipments Bangalore]

Good blog..It makes me happy to see young people embrace it, because I know it will always be a source of pleasure they can turn to anytime. . In fact, the interview makes your family sound very nice.

[Carrie]

Darling picture!

[Dale Spindel]

What a charming post - loved it!