MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KADE COOK

 

 

What’s your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?

Hi, my name is Kade Cook and I write Urban Fantasy.

 

Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?

Well my series, The Covenant of Shadows, is the journey of a logically minded young woman that starts to see things that she cannot explain, and talk to people who are not there.  So she begins to think she is going crazy but in fact she is waking up to the real world that she is living within. Her eyes are seeing the world for what it actually is, no longer being clouded by a spell that has cloaked her from it since she was born.

 As for how is started, I had been working as an IT professional until I decided to stay home and raise my family. Though it was wonderful I became bored and so my husband told me if I was so bored why don’t I write a book. So I did to his surprise. It started by watching the crows and ravens next door at the neighbor’s house and then ideas about why they were there just started streaming in.  The rest is history.

 

 

How did you get interested in writing this particular genre (historical novels, mysteries, sci-fi, children’s books, etc.)?

I have always been fascinated by supernatural things and ideas. I loved all the superheroes that had powers and wished that I had them too. Vampires were my favorite. So it was a natural genre to write in for me, as natural as breathing. 

 

What kind of research did you do for this book?

Not much, most of the places I had already been to—even lived for a while. And as for the characters and storyline, that just came natural.

 

Can you tell me about your Series?

My series is the journey my lead character, Gabrian Shadwell, takes in discovering the world of magic and how she fits within it. If you like the inside scoop on becoming a supernatural being then this is the series to pick up. I call the books ‘Real Magic dusted with Life.’

 

 

 

Do you have a favorite book out of this series?

I will always love my first book as it was my personal journey into finding out who  I was meant to become but as the books develop, each one is so exciting to meet. I know the ideas inside my head but when they are actually born into word it is a whole new level of intimacy. Especially when you get to hold them in your hands.

 

Where did you get the inspiration/idea for your series?

The inspiration was an eternal love for the supernatural, and since I may or may not ever get to have powers of my own,  I thought it would be so exciting to create a world from start to finish about one having this gift bestowed upon them.

 

Was it always meant to become a series?

Not at the beginning but the book just kept growing and growing as I was writing it. All the books just unfolded into separate entities of their own and so I let them. If I had not, the book would have been way too big to print.

 

 

What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

My typical work day starts off with me getting my family out the door and off to work, school or where ever they need to be by 7:15 am. After that I let the dog back inside, I get on my tread mill and walk/run for at least thirty minutes. This is where the magic happens. My mind starts the work for the day creating the visual images and the internal dialogue that will be put to word shortly thereafter when I finish my walk and sit my backside in the chair.

I write usually until that chapter of the book is finished or until it turns noon. After that I have to put my mom hat back on and get the house taken care of before  the kids return from school and off their sports activities.

I have to balance between the two or else everything falls apart.

 

Do you have a new book in the making and if so, what’s the name of your upcoming book?

Actually I do, it is the third book in the series. The name is Silver. I am so excited to release this one because most of it was not even on the radar of the outline when I wrote it. My beta readers are very pleased with the story so I am ready for the rest of the world to read it.

 

 

How important are character names to you in your books? Is there a special meaning to any of the names?

The names are very important and they have to feel right. I try to listen to my internal senses when it comes to names. And my characters have a way of letting me know if it is the right name or not. For example, my main character was first named Ryan but every time I went to type it the name came out Gabrian. So after the 9^th or 10^th time I said “ok, you win. Gabrian it is.” haha

 

Where do your ideas come from?

I think they come from living life, and having  dreams and aspirations. For me most of my characters go through every day kind of issues and experiences but the magic just adds to the adventure. I love the freedom of fiction. There are no limits to letting your imagination explore the world in how it sees it.

 

Is there a genre that you’ve been wanting to experiment with?

I have been told that I am good at romantic scenes so I may someday experiment with that.

 

 

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Finding enough time to write. I would sit and write all day and night but my home life does not allow for that or like I said before, it all falls apart. So I write when I can and hope for the best.

 

What do you think of book trailers? Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?

I love book trailers, and yes I made 2 for my previous book (which need to be updated) and am in the works of making one for the third. It helps to get a feel for the energy in the book if done right.

 

 

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

My best accomplishment is actually finishing my first book and getting it into publication. There were a lot of hurdles to get over and obstacles to move past in that journey but it made me stronger as a person and a writer. I would have wished that it would have been different but it made me who I am now today. It showed me who I could become.

 

What’s the best thing about being an author?

Freedom of creation and the thrill of getting all the pictures in your head onto a page where I can share it with others who share the same love of words as I do.

 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Surrounded by all the books that I intend on writing. I am hoping to be financially independent to the point that I no longer need to worry about how I am going to pay the bills and find time to write as well.  I want to be a full time author  and have the world know my name, and eager to pick up my next book.

 

 

Have you always liked to write?

I guess in a way I have though I have never written anything like this other than for school. But I have always wrote songs, and music and poetry. I guess it was just the next evolutionary step to take for me.

 

What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?

My advice is, if you start the story then you must finish it. No matter if you think it is good or bad, you can always go back and edit bad. You can’t edit nothing. Owe it to yourself to see it through. And keep it fun. Don’t force the words, let them come to you organically.  Let the characters lead you. The story will be what it is supposed to be if you let the characters tell it.

 

If you didn’t like writing books, or weren’t any good at it, what would you like to do for a living?

I would love to sing and be in a band.  Or be a world traveler that got paid to travel.

 

 

Do you read reviews of your book(s)? Do you respond to them, good or bad? How do you deal with the bad?

I do read them. And I used to get upset when the trolls would come out to play and give you one star reviews. But a very dear friend of mine took me to go see Diana Gabaldon and she said something that I took to heart. She said not to read your reviews, just keep writing. Because if you take the words to heart you will change how you write, trying to please others. Your stories won’t be yours anymore or the way they are supposed to be. So just write.
And so I do. I still read them but they don’t hurt anymore because I know I cannot please the world so I keep my head down and become the scribe to the inner voice that tells me what to write.

 

What is your least favourite part of the writing / publishing process?

I am not a big fan of the marketing bit. I am still learning how to do all of it. But with help and advice given by other who have gone before me, I am slowly trying to get a handle on it.

 

 

 

 

What are you working on now?

I am working on getting my paperback completed for my launch on October 4^th, 2018. Just a few hick-ups to get through but I am confident it will come together. Once that is finished I will start of book four of the Covenant of Shadows, then five. After that I have to figure out which of the other ideas I would like to follow up on.

 

Can you give us a few tasty morsels from your work-in-progress?

Absolutely.

 

With narrowed eyes and her chin draping as his words spill out, Gabrian takes them in, however convoluted they sound. “But what does this have to do with me?”

“Unfortunately, sweet child, everything,” Rhada delivers to her, voice low and sullen.

Such queer words, she thinks, her eyes searching through the meaning. “I don’t understand. What do you mean?” she pleads, her grip firm now, pulling tight against his sleeves.

“Even I cannot divulge this forbidden liberty of matters spoken. My tongue is bound to its limits of truth and knowledge. It is your will and choice of direction on the path taken now that will allow you this revelation,” he offers, his golden hue shimmering around the edges of his long black lashes, casting an enchanting glow across his cheeks. “So, answer me this child, search the innards of your soul. How do you feel at this very moment?”

Gabrian swallows, pulling hard through her memories, drowning in her torn and mixed emotions, and tries hard to choose the right words to say. She opens the gates to let everything in, seeing the faces of all those she loved and still loves, and answers him with merely a whispered phrase. “I feel like I am coming undone. Like I am being pulled in a thousand different directions at once.”

He cups her trembling arms and gazes on her with adornment. His face is soft and serene but shadowed in a moment of sadness as he smiles. “Then you, my dear, are not ready for this side.” Sliding his grip to the tips of her fingers, Rhada gives a gentle squeeze and lets them drop. “It is done,” he announces, stepping away, and utters something to himself undecipherable by her.

“What is done?” she huffs, her eyes wild as she seeks understanding. “What does that mean?”

“It means that you must be brave now. The worlds are counting on you, so you must believe. You must reach deep inside of your very essence and you must fight.”

 

 

Why did you choose to write in your genre? If you write in more than one, how do you balance them?

As I have mentioned before, I adore everything supernatural and slipping that into everyday life makes the story just that bit more exciting, in my opinion.

 

Where did your love of books come from?

I never really read too much as a child but it was my early twenties that I truly become involved with books. My sister-in-law handed me a book while I was visiting her and I nearly devoured the thing in two days. It was ‘An interview with a Vampire’. After that the game was on.

 

Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

I absolutely love Sarah J Maas, Stephenie Meyer, Marissa Meyer, Dan Brown, Veronica Roth, Cassandra Clare… oh the list goes on and on.

 

 

Of all the characters you have created, which is your favourite and why?

For me, my favorite character is Adrinn. He is the bad guy. I love his directness and his ability to not care what anyone thinks of him. I love the way he is sophisticated and stylish yet snarky and sarcastic but because I know so much about him that no one else does yet is truly why he has found a soft spot in my heart. And did I mention that he was smokin’ hot? hahah

 

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

When I am done a chapter and I am finished for the day it is like I am high on life. The words that I just translated from thought to actual legible sentences makes me so excited to be there in that moment. It breathes new life into my bones.

 

What is your writing Kryptonite?

My Kryptonite is lack of time. So far the stories have come so easily and naturally that my only nemesis is time, oh and worrying about marketing.

 

 

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I try to be true to the story. I guess every story written is original because no matter what the subject, no two people will write the same story. But lucky for me, supernatural urban fantasy seems to be a bit hit still.

 

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

I have been blessed with a lot of new author friends through the internet and local author events. They have been a power house of support and advice. It has help improve my self-confidence and have shown me that that it is possible to live the dream of being a full time writer.

 

If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?

Can’t stop now.

 

 

What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

 

What is my favorite time of day?

Without question it would be time of day where dusk meets dawn and the seemingly endless darkness of night finds that first spark of light. To me it represents hope. Even in the darkest of hours, you can still find hope, that small fragment of ‘I will not give up’ to see you through.

 

 

Where can your fans find you and follow??

Anyone curious about what I write and what I do can find me at the following:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/kadecook.author/

WordPress:

https://kadecook.wordpress.com/
https://kadecookbooks.wordpress.com/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/CovOfShadows/

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/Kade_cook

 

 

Thank you for taking your time to do this interview ❤️

Oh my goodness, it was my pleasure. Thank you so much for asking me. Big hugs and bigger dreams, Kade