How long would you last by yourself… in the Amazon rainforest… after surviving a plane crash? Although this sounds like a work of fiction, Ellen Cochrane’s new book, Follow the Water, is an account of Juliane Koepcke’s unbelievable survival story.
In addition, Ellen includes informational sections that explain in better detail facts about the Amazon, including information on plants, animals, weather, and the culture and beliefs. I enjoyed interviewing her to learn more…
About the Book
Hi Ellen! Wow, what a life Julianne has led! Thank you for bringing her story to life. Can you give a summary of your new book, Follow the Water?
Follow the Water tells the true survival story of Juliane Koepcke, a 17-year-old girl who fell two miles from the sky when her plane disintegrated over the Amazon rainforest in 1971. She survived the fall—alone—then trekked for eleven days through flooded jungle, following her father’s advice to “follow the water” until she reached help.
The book blends narrative storytelling with science, ecology, and survival principles. It emphasizes how careful observation, rational thinking, and scientific understanding can guide decision-making—even in moments of fear. At a time when public conversation can be driven by opinion, rumor, or online manipulation, the story gently reinforces the value of evidence-based thinking and attention to the natural world.
About the Author
I’d love to learn more about you. What was your path to becoming a writer? (and your connection to writing nonfiction)
I began as a journal writer and kept detailed notebooks for years before publishing professionally. I’ve been a magazine writer for many years, working in narrative nonfiction, natural history, and had a wildlife column.
I’ve always been drawn to real stories—especially those rooted in wilderness, history, and resilience. Nonfiction allows me to combine research with storytelling and to explore how knowledge shapes survival.
Were there any books that inspired the style you wrote in?
I’m inspired by nature- and natural history–driven narratives that combine story with close observation of the land. Writers like Jim Kjelgaard, especially in works such as Big Red and Irish Red, shaped my understanding of how landscape and animals can function as a characters.
I aim for immersive storytelling grounded in research, where environment, science, and human decision-making intersect.
Tell us about your upcoming books.
My next book, The Siberian, is a wilderness survival story set in the Russian Far East involving family bonds and tiger conservation.
I’m also developing a narrative STEM project centered on young people making authentic scientific discoveries—story-driven, interview-based, and focused on how curiosity leads to real-world insight.
On Writing Nonfiction
Why did you choose to tackle this topic?
Juliane’s story stayed with me from the moment I learned about it. A teenage girl survives a lightning strike midair, a two-mile fall, and eleven days alone in the Amazon.
But what truly drew me in was that she survived because she paid attention. She understood the jungle. She remembered her father’s lessons. This is a story about knowledge, observation, and composure under pressure.
I should also add that I was an exchange student in Peru as a teenager and flew the same jungle flight path where Juliane’s accident occurred. That personal connection deepened my interest in her story and the region.
What was your main source of information?
My primary sources included Juliane Koepcke’s memoir, archival aviation records, scientific studies on the Amazon ecosystem, and contemporary news accounts.
Juliane has long been deeply uncomfortable with the intense attention surrounding her survival and the intrusion into her private life. She does not give personal interviews about the accident. However, she is enthusiastic about discussing Panguana, the biological research station her parents founded. She continues to advocate for it and works to expand and protect its acreage.
Because I can read Spanish and I have a conversational ability, I was able to access and study original Spanish-language news reports and archival materials, which helped deepen the historical accuracy of the book.
Any tips for writing a biography when interviewing the subject isn’t an option?
- Rely on primary documents and firsthand accounts.
- Cross-check every detail through multiple sources.
- Study the setting and historical context thoroughly.
- Avoid inventing interior thoughts or dialogue.
Careful research creates narrative credibility.
You have an interesting mix of story and informational sections. What was your thought process on setting up the book in this way?
I structured the book so the narrative carries emotional momentum, while the informational sections—what I think of as science features or contextual notes—deepen understanding.
When Juliane encounters a river, readers learn how river systems work. When she faces insects or predators, readers learn the ecology behind them.
Illustrations in the book by Caroline Church
The goal is immersion paired with understanding.
Writers sometimes have difficulty knowing how to bring a biography to life. Any tips?
- Begin with tension.
- Anchor scenes in sensory details supported by research.
- Keep stakes visible.
- Focus on decisions and consequences.
Readers connect when they see how choices shape outcomes.
How did you handle dialogue?
I included only dialogue documented in reliable sources in print and media. When exact wording was unavailable, I summarized rather than invented.
Restraint is essential in narrative nonfiction.
For Teachers
Do you have a curriculum guide or discussion questions posted online?
A curriculum guide and discussion materials will be available on my website in April.
Are you doing school visits related to this book?
Yes. I present to students in grades five through high school.
Presentations focus on:
- Survival science
- Amazon ecology
- Decision-making under pressure
- How research becomes narrative nonfiction
- The role of scientific thinking in real-world problem-solving
I offer both in-person visits in Northern California and Zoom conversations for schools elsewhere. My school presentations are free; I do not charge.
How can we learn more about you?
Website: www.ellencochrane.com
Social media: Facebook: @CochraneEllen | Instagram: @EllenMCochrane | TikTok: @AuthorTalk
These are my anchor Hashtags:
- #FollowTheWater
- #MiddleGradeBooks
- #SurvivalStory
Newsletter: Occasional updates a few times a year
Thanks for your time, Ellen. Follow the Water comes out March 17!
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