Goodreads Choice Awards 2025

Ask the Author: Elise Hooper

“Ask me a question.” Elise Hooper

Answered Questions (13)

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I absolutely loved reading Angels of the Pacific!! I was struck by the motivation you garnered from your grandfather's service. My grandfather, Albert A. Bartholomew, NCO, promoted to the rank of Ensign during the war, also served on the Missouri at the time that the peace treaty was signed. I love that we have this shared history! Thanks for your amazing work highlighting women's contributions in WW II! ?
Elise Hooper Thank you very much for reading ANGELS and taking the time to connect with me! I love that we have this shared history. :)
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Keep up the AWESOME work! I too love researching! One of my fave things to do is take a topic, person or things and discover all that I can about it. It is like a treasure hunt! What is your favorite topic to research? Mine is 17th -19th century cookery or family manuscripts. I love to read them, you can learn so much about the women/families that wrote them.
Elise Hooper First of all, thank you for the kind words! Your research sounds fascinating. I have to admit that my interest in research can be all over the place. I love old maps and looking at old family photographs for inspiration.
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What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?
Elise Hooper Ooooh, this is such a good question--thank you! I have a few family heirlooms that we don't know much about, and one of them could make for a great jumping off point for imagining a new story.
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Was wondering if Army ever released photos? While out west a few years ago, I visited a Japanese Internment camp. I was blown away by the fact that the friend with me had never heard about them until I said I wanted to go. And she has 2 bachelors and 1 masters in the field of education (though not history) Many people still unaware of this travesty. Loved your book.
Elise Hooper Gini, thank you very much for reading Learning to See. The restrictions on Lange's internment photos were lifted after the war and they ended up in the National Archives, but no one really knew about them. Many decades later, her internment photos eventually resurfaced and now the public can find them in books and articles and in art exhibits.
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Hi Elise, I finished Learning to See yesterday and loved it! I've already posted a review for you. One question.... I really loved the way you used to relationship between Dorothea and Dan to move the story from past to present. Did any of your research for the book involve talking with either of her sons? Thanks, Kelly Cantwell
Elise Hooper Hi Kelly! Thank you so much for reading Learning to See and I appreciate you taking the time to connect. Good question! Both of Dorothea's sons have passed on by the time I started researching this novel, but I watched the documentary Child of Giants about growing about with Maynard and Dorothea as parents. Also, Linda Gordon's biography about Lange also provides some insight about how the boys felt about their mother so that was another helpful source.
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If you could travel to any fictional book world, where would you go and what would you do there?
Elise Hooper Avonlea! I'd love to visit Anne Shirley's world.
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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?
Elise Hooper I attended drama camp at the Alcott family home-turned-musem and the family always interested me. I wanted to learn more about them.
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How do you get inspired to write?
Elise Hooper Inspiration can be found in a great news story, family history, a trip to a museum, or an intriguing footnote in a history book.
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What are you currently working on?
Elise Hooper I'm working through edits on my second novel.
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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
Elise Hooper Keep writing and surround yourself with people who believe in you. Set goals for yourself and designate a writing buddy who you email every night or a couple of times a week to update on your progress. This accountability can help with staying productive.
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What’s the best thing about being a writer?
Elise Hooper Research is one of my favorite activities, so I enjoy all of the time I spend learning about unusual things. I also love being able to put my vivid imagination to work on productive things, instead of worrying about crazy scenarios that I concoct in my own head.
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How do you deal with writer’s block?
Elise Hooper Since I have 2 young children and teach part-time, writing time is pretty precious for me. Usually I've been mulling over what I want to write while I've been doing other non-writing activities. If I get to a point in a story where I'm stuck when I'm writing, I usually go for a walk, hop in the car and drive around in silence, or eat ice cream in the middle of the day. One of those activities tends to give me the space to mentally work through the problem and pick back up with my story.
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What books are on your summer reading list this year?
Elise Hooper I'm looking forward to reading a ton this summer, but these 3 come to mind: The Lost Letter (Jillian Cantor) , The Leavers (Lisa Ko), The Regulars (Georgia Clark).
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Elise Hooper
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