Meet Aileen Cook

We were lucky to catch up with Aileen Cook recently and have shared our conversation below.

Aileen, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

That’s a tough one. There isn’t one answer. I do many things to stay creative, yet despite all attempts, my brain shuts down and needs a break. Silly as it sounds, I do find being outside in nature is one of my key muses for creativity. There’s something about the peaceful sounds and the way the wind dances with the trees that sparks my creative juices. Music is another huge contributor. Anytime I have a creative block, Music and nature help get me back on track.
I spend a lot of time bouncing between areas of interest so I don’t get bored. I don’t write every day. If I did, I feel that I would get writer’s block or run out of ideas. When I’m not writing, I am doing something with art or marketing. Each element takes its own block of time. To keep my skills sharp, I have to devote some time to pencil sketching, painting, digital art, and writing. It’s a lot to balance, and I’m not always in the mood to do it. There is always a small itch to finish another book, and that is also part of my drive. I love to create things. To see each piece come together to form a finished product, that’s a beautiful thing. Eleven published books did not happen overnight. It took years! Creativity doesn’t happen every day; it takes time and patience. I guess the biggest thing to keep creativity alive is to keep it fun, stop making it stressful.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I have been a published author for over a decade. I illustrate and publish my own books. Writing is a fun outlet for me. I write about any and all subjects, ranging from picture books to young adult novels. Fantasy is my favorite genre to write, but I am finding middle-grade thrillers are kind of fun too. I just completed my 12th book! and look forward to working on my next novel. I do tend to hang out at most of the local book festivals in and around the Jacksonville area. I would love to chat and sign some books if you spot me at one of these events.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I had absolutely no clue how to write a book when I started. What I was good at was art, English, and research. Knowing how to research everything about writing, publishing, marketing, and the general basics of being an author was my strong point. I started a small critique group that met monthly so I could talk with other budding authors. We exchanged a lot of information and helped each other grow into the authors we are today. I highly recommend joining a support group. It helps. Don’t try to do this alone. Writing is not for the weak. There is so much to learn.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

This sounds silly, but letting go. I have a hard time trusting people with my books. My kids keep asking if I want to find an agent and a traditional publisher. Yes. I really do, but I’m scared. It’s hard to admit that, but it’s true. There are too many scammers out there ready to take your money and run, or to take your book and claim it’s theirs. Yes, there are copyrights, and I do have them. It’s hard to let go of something I have worked hard on. I have sent a manuscript out to a handful of agencies, so I am trying to get out there for better exposure.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aileencook.com
• Instagram: instagram@fantasynovelist
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/authorA.N.Cook
• Other: [email protected]