Interview with Eric Walters

Eric Walters is a Canadian author and philanthropist. Since his first novel in 1993, Eric has written over 104 books and has received numerous awards. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The Strand: Before you wrote your first book, you were a teacher. You’ve said that you started writing to help your students learn to read. Why is reading important for young people?

Eric Walters: Literacy is the foundation for every other subject. By teaching students to read, you’re exposing them to situations they don’t see in their lives, both positive and negative. People become smarter by reading, but they also become more emotionally intelligent. 

Do you think you would have become an author if you hadn’t been a teacher?

I’m not sure. I always liked writing growing up. When I was in fifth grade, my teacher told me she thought I could be a writer, which I thought was ridiculous, since obviously, I was going to be in the NBA. 

Was that teacher an inspiration for your own approach as a teacher?

Definitely. I grew up in a poor neighbourhood. My mother died when I was four and my father had mental health issues. School was a sanctuary for me: a place I could go where my teachers could see something in me. They inspired me. People respond well to positive reinforcement. Teachers change lives, simple as that.

Was it difficult to go from your childhood to the person you are today?

I was blessed with great teachers who saw my potential, but I’m also self-motivated. If you say something positive about me, it’s going to be fuel for me. If you say something negative, it’s also going to be fuel. Either way, I will use that energy.

You’ve written more than a hundred books. What’s your secret for writing quickly?

I write in a focused way. I’ve also been doing this for 25 years. People talk about being “plotters” or “pantsers.” No one’s truly a plotter and no one’s truly a pantser. I plan my stories, but the stories evolve in ways I can’t see. That being said, I do tend to plan. I’m focused, both in writing and in life. I set goals, and I meet them.

Have you always lived in an organized way?

I didn’t have a choice. Because of my upbringing, I basically raised myself. My choice was either to become organized and focused, or not survive. The King of Jam Sandwiches, which won the Governor General’s Literary Award recently, was autobiographical. The character believes that if he gets up earlier than everyone else and works longer and harder, eventually he’ll get somewhere. That’s always been my philosophy. 

Does that make it hard to spend time with friends and family?

When my kids were young, I only wrote after they went to bed. I have a list of things to do each day. I make sure that the important things in life are taken care of and family and friends are the most important by far. You also have to take care of yourself. If you’re not happy, writing a book isn’t going to change that.

How do you take care of yourself?

I do things that I like with my family and friends. After this interview, my wife and I are gonna go and walk the dogs. I’ve got time scheduled today to be with three grandsons. I’ve also got 10,000 steps and the Peloton Bike on my list. I eat the right stuff. I’ve got my one cup of tea for the day sitting in this mug. After that, it’s water.

Are the characters in your books ever inspired by people you care about?

Yeah. When I started, the characters in my books were often kids in my class. You also always invest a little bit of yourself in every character. In Stars, my character rubs his toes on the inside of the zipper of the sleeping bag when he’s trying to sleep. When I grew up, I didn’t have sheets. I had a sleeping bag, and I used to go to sleep rubbing my toes on the zipper.

Do you get attached to your characters? 

I always get attached to them. Sometimes I don’t want bad things to happen to them, or I’ll try to resolve their problems sooner than the story allows because I feel bad for them.

Do you have a favourite book you’ve written?

The one I’m working on. It’s the fifth of the Rule of Three trilogy, because every trilogy needs at least five books.

You’re known for researching your books by experiencing what you write about. What do you get from that and what’s the most exciting moment you’ve had?

You get a whole different perspective. You can learn about things in your head and in your heart, but sometimes you need to know things in your knees. Sometimes it gets me in trouble. There were four terrifying hours when I was lost in the desert. I was bitten by a tiger. The matriarch of an elephant herd looked me in the eye and stepped on my foot.

Are there any themes that come up frequently in your books?

I write about belonging, becoming part of something, overcoming obstacles, and resilience. I also tend to leave the reader with a sense of hope. 

Does that reflect your own philosophy?

I think that things are going to work out. I’ve always believed that. I grew up counting the cans of food in my house to see how many days I could live. But I’ve found that your biggest disadvantages can become your advantages. I have a sense of resilience and determination. So now I make sure I count the right things—my friends, my moments of joy, my ability to laugh. 

Is there a moment that stands out from your work with children?

I don’t think there’s one moment that stands out. I get emails from former students of mine, and every letter starts with the line, “You probably don’t remember me.” I remember teaching every student I ever taught. I’d like to think that my books are an extension of who I am as a person. I just want to make the world a little bit better, I hope.