Ask the Author: Dakota Cook
Answered Questions (6)
Dakota Cook
I often have extremely vivid dreams, many of which have served as the inspiration for various story ideas I've created.
One of the scenes toward the end of The Descendant (which I will not spoil) started as a dream, or more accurately, a nightmare. That nightmare led to the creation of the series' villain. The rest sort of just unfolded from there!
One of the scenes toward the end of The Descendant (which I will not spoil) started as a dream, or more accurately, a nightmare. That nightmare led to the creation of the series' villain. The rest sort of just unfolded from there!
Dakota Cook
Sometimes, inspiration truly does strike. Those are the best days. I'll experience something that will spark some overzealous strand of imagination in my brain and a whole story idea will emerge. Whether it be a sound, a smell, a touch-- anything can ignite the drive to create.
Most of the time, I have to discipline myself to sit and just get the words onto the page. I find that, even if I don't feel like the story is emerging when I first put pen to paper, if I make myself push through the sludge, the words will start to come freely. Next thing I know, three hours has gone by!
Most of the time, I have to discipline myself to sit and just get the words onto the page. I find that, even if I don't feel like the story is emerging when I first put pen to paper, if I make myself push through the sludge, the words will start to come freely. Next thing I know, three hours has gone by!
Dakota Cook
At the moment, I am writing the second book in The Descendant series. I also have some other exciting projects in the works! Stay tuned!
Dakota Cook
Don't let your fear of failure or rejection keep you from writing. If you're truly writing for yourself, nothing anyone says or feels about your work can stop you.
Dakota Cook
The fact that it's pure creation. Everything, from start to finish, is formulated from your own thoughts and imagination! Writing is just finding a way to get those images out of your head in a way that will allow other people to be able to experience them as well.
Dakota Cook
Writer's block comes and goes for me. Sometimes it only lasts an hour, sometimes it lasts a week! Most of the time, it just means I need to take a break, get up and walk around--maybe get a snack.
For the longer stretches, I try to find something to spark my imagination. I either read a new book, watch a new movie, find a new TV show, or experience new things in any way I can. You never know what will cause inspiration to strike!
For the longer stretches, I try to find something to spark my imagination. I either read a new book, watch a new movie, find a new TV show, or experience new things in any way I can. You never know what will cause inspiration to strike!
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