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Elaine T. Cook

Goodreads Author

Born

The United States

Website

http://www.elainetcook.com

Twitter

ElaineTCook

Genre

Fantasy, Fiction

Member Since

April 2012

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/elainetcook

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“Kawaii ko ni wa tabi o saseyo" was a Japanese proverb I learned while living in Japan a few years ago. It means: If you have a cute child that you love, you will send them on a journey so they can learn by experience.
In Japan, I learned the beauty of simplicity in words. Japanese is an elegant language. It takes so few words to create a sentence of immensely deep meaning. The people of Japan, the culture, and the language have become an integral part of who I am. They have positively influenced my storytelling, increasing my ability to see the world in a different perspective. Perhaps in learning the language, I discovered for the first time that a simple word choice can produce a statement of profound meaning. I grew to know and love pe “Kawaii ko ni wa tabi o saseyo" was a Japanese proverb I learned while living in Japan a few years ago. It means: If you have a cute child that you love, you will send them on a journey so they can learn by experience.
In Japan, I learned the beauty of simplicity in words. Japanese is an elegant language. It takes so few words to create a sentence of immensely deep meaning. The people of Japan, the culture, and the language have become an integral part of who I am. They have positively influenced my storytelling, increasing my ability to see the world in a different perspective. Perhaps in learning the language, I discovered for the first time that a simple word choice can produce a statement of profound meaning. I grew to know and love people, who were like me, yet existing within a culture that live by a different set of rules. It broadened my mind to other cultures, people, places, and languages.
Influencing my writing, probably more than even I realize, is genealogy and family history research. I began hunting for elusive ancestors in my family tree when I was eight years old. What does that mean? It means I understand easy answers are rare. There is worth in getting the whole story, no matter how many twists and turns are discovered along the way. Studying ancestors in my family tree has taught me that the choices of one individual can affect generations, and because I am dealing with entire families, the information I have gathered has allowed me to see situations from multiple points of view. I have gained profound knowledge from ancestors I have never met as I have learned about them.
Still, the greatest benefit to my writing has come from having my own family. Entertaining and instructing my children has allowed me to find unique solutions and ideas. My five children have incredible imaginations, which has rekindled my own. Furthermore, with seven individuals and one puppy in the household, communication is a must. Because of my husband and children, I have profited from an increased ability to express myself. Serpent’s Treasure – The Ancestral Key was written for them, as well as for you. My five children are cute, and I do love them. Therefore, I created an adventure. May you enjoy the journey.
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What are you currently working on?

Elaine T. Cook I am currently working on Book Two of the Serpent's Treasure series. Many fans have asked when it will be out. My goal is to have the final draft to m…moreI am currently working on Book Two of the Serpent's Treasure series. Many fans have asked when it will be out. My goal is to have the final draft to my publisher by the end of the year. (less)

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How do you deal with writer’s block?

Elaine T. Cook I would love to say I never get Writer's Block. Actually, I didn't when I wrote, "The Ancestral Key." However, as I was writing Book Two in the "Serpe…moreI would love to say I never get Writer's Block. Actually, I didn't when I wrote, "The Ancestral Key." However, as I was writing Book Two in the "Serpent's Treasure" Series, I was interrupted one day in the middle of a chapter. This is highly unusual. I always finish a chapter, or at least a scene, before taking a break. Nevertheless, for some reason, when I went back to the manuscript and read it, I found Juliana, and some of the other characters, in the middle of a very challenging situation, and I could not remember how they were going to get out of it. Ha ha ha. Yes, I can laugh now. At the time though, I spent two weeks stewing over how I could get them out of it. Writer's block hit hard. Finally, I had a very wise friend tell me just to sit down and write. So that's what I did. As my fingers hit the keys, in a very amazing way, the situation resolved itself. I love the way they got out of it, too. ;-) Nevertheless, it was a very important lesson for me to learn. The way for me to stop Writer's Block, is to start writing. It reminds me of the old saying, "You can steer a parked car." This applies well to my writing.(less)

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Elaine T. Cook’s books

Average rating: 4.03 · 36 ratings · 17 reviews · 1 distinct work

The Ancestral Key (Serpent's Treasure, #1)

4.03 avg rating — 36 ratings — published 2013 — 2 editions

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Elaine T. Cook's Blog

The Price of Trust

"Call it whatever you like, Mr. Cavallo, but it's still distrust. A feeling, I guarantee we mutually share." - Juliana Matthews (page 190, Serpent's Treasure - The Ancestral Key)

Juliana is pretty certain where trust lies with regards to Nicolai. However, it is such a fine line trying to discern who she truly can trust. I cannot say that I blame her. She has been raised to fear for her li Read more of this blog post »

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