Ask the Author: Stephanie Cooke
Answered Questions (7)
Stephanie Cooke
In early 2024, I have a new graphic novel coming out called Pillow Talk with artist, Mel Valentine. The story follows a young woman named Grace who discovers an underground pillow fight league and joins to find her inner self and confidence. While the story itself is fictional overall, the idea came from me partipating in a Pillow Fight League showcase match in Toronto (yes, it's a real thing) and eventually winding up in the ER, thinking I broke my ankle. Stay tuned for the full story in the future...
Stephanie Cooke
ALL OF THEM ARE A TRAP! But seriously, pretty much every fictional world is filled with beings that want to kill the person who travels to their world. PLUS most of them are in the midst of terrible, scary wars! Want to travel to Middle Earth? HOPE YOU LIKE THE THREAT OF MORDOR.
Honestly though, I'd still love the chance to travel to a lot of these places. I think the ones that have always had the strongest pull are Narnia, and the version of the world that The Golden Compass takes place in. A world where we have animal familiars that are extensions of our soul sounds like my ideal place to be.
Honestly though, I'd still love the chance to travel to a lot of these places. I think the ones that have always had the strongest pull are Narnia, and the version of the world that The Golden Compass takes place in. A world where we have animal familiars that are extensions of our soul sounds like my ideal place to be.
Stephanie Cooke
There's no one way for me to find inspiration, but I love to consume movies, TV, podcasts, comics, books...anything that I might enjoy. When I really like something, sometimes it makes me think about how I could tell a story like that and I start crafting ideas around it.
Other times, I just have a good old fashioned brainstorm session where I write down all the story ideas that I'd love to play around with and then I narrow things down based on what I think is strong and could be developed more.
And with comic books, one of my other favourite ways to find inspiration is to talk to an artist that I want to work with, and ask them what sort of stories that they want to tell. With their ideas, I try to create something based on what they're keen to work on, in the hopes that we'll get the opportunity to work together on something that we'll both really enjoy.
Other times, I just have a good old fashioned brainstorm session where I write down all the story ideas that I'd love to play around with and then I narrow things down based on what I think is strong and could be developed more.
And with comic books, one of my other favourite ways to find inspiration is to talk to an artist that I want to work with, and ask them what sort of stories that they want to tell. With their ideas, I try to create something based on what they're keen to work on, in the hopes that we'll get the opportunity to work together on something that we'll both really enjoy.
Stephanie Cooke
I have absolutely no chill when it comes to projects and the things I want to work on. And for the most part, I am able to sustain having a lot on my plate, but that just means that for me when the writer's block hits, it hits hard.
It took me a long time and quite a few conversations with fellow creators to really understand that in order to work through writer's block, sometimes you just need to step away from writing and let your body recharge.
There could be a million reasons why you've got writer's block, but for me, it's usually my body trying to tell me that I have to slow down and make time for me... so I do!
It took me a long time and quite a few conversations with fellow creators to really understand that in order to work through writer's block, sometimes you just need to step away from writing and let your body recharge.
There could be a million reasons why you've got writer's block, but for me, it's usually my body trying to tell me that I have to slow down and make time for me... so I do!
Stephanie Cooke
Write. Don't call yourself an "aspiring writer"... if you write, you're a writer. End of story. Hone your craft, try different mediums and step outside your comfort zone - you'll be SO surprised at what you can achieve and how much those things helps you avoid writer burnout.
Stephanie Cooke
Building worlds and having a voice. With writing, the possibilities are endless and the only thing that limits you is yourself.
It's like being Green Lantern but with words.
It's like being Green Lantern but with words.
Stephanie Cooke
ALL OF THEM. But seriously, right now I'm dying to get to A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas. I'm addicted to the series and can't wait to find time to read it.
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