Ask the Author: Brian Cook
Answered Questions (6)
Brian Cook
Surprisingly, I haven't experienced that true block where I'm just staring at a blank screen, with no ideas to write down. By staying in the moment like I was still in law enforcement through reading articles, maintaining my file of copious go-to notes, and having a pretty vivid imagination, I can envision a situation and expound on it.
Brian Cook
By going the independent route, I love the autonomy of being charge of the direction and flow of my books. Eventually, I'd love to find a literary agent who will like my writing style and be signed by a publisher to go traditional. When that day happens, I know I'll have to abide by writing constraints and deadlines, but for now, I love the freedom writing gives me.
Brian Cook
I've heard a lot of advice from some people whose opinion I regard highly, and been told read more, go traditional rather than independent. But over the time that I've invested in writing, I'd tell aspiring writers to do you. If it feels right to you, do it so they come off as credible and not contrived to read like a Ernest Hemingway or a Stephen King. Develop a style they like and when they are done, they like the finished result. Also, edit, edit, and then edit some more.
Brian Cook
I've heard a lot of advice from some people whose opinion I regard highly, and been told read more, go traditional rather than independent. But over the time that I've invested in writing, I'd tell aspiring writers to do you. If it feels right to you, do it so they come off as credible and not contrived to read like a Ernest Hemingway or a Stephen King. Develop a style they like and when they are done, they like the finished result. Also, edit, edit, and then edit some more.
Brian Cook
I'm currently working on the last of the trilogy of the Hands Across the Sea series called Cogs In The Machine. This book will tie up several storylines and the cliffhangers in The Thin Blue Li(n)e, and will give me options for spinoff books of some of the major characters. I also have one book that I can't wait to dive into and write that deals with undercover officers who are assigned deep cover into the entertainment world to investigate high-profile crimes that have gone cold and left unsolved.
Brian Cook
Generally, I get myself mentally into the situation and characters that I'll be writing about for that particular instance, and let the chapter or scene direct me.
Brian Cook
When I was in law enforcement as a lieutenant, I often attended meetings with upper management and stakeholders of contracts our department was tasked to patrol. Many issues would get discussed and hashed out, and sometimes, more meaningful dialogue would result. That was my ‘a-ha� moment. I pictured writing about a different part of law enforcement other than the workaday topics. I decided to write about real topic issues in law enforcement with characters using real talk in behind-the-scene situations to humanize them. Through Hands Across the Sea and The Thin Blue Li(n)e, I captured the passion and emotions of characters in hot-button situations and discussions.
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