Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Kimberly A. Cook

Are You Open To Serendipity?

By Leave a Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook         (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Research is fun for writers. Or it could be. It depends on what we’re looking for and why. Given the time of year, pouring over tax info is not at the top of my list. What is really fun for writers is noticing a pattern which turns into an idea by serendipity or coincidence. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines serendipity as “the gift of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for.”

USS Pampanito Museum in San Francisco Bay on July 29, 2008. Photo by Kimberly A. Cook

The universe speaks to writers with ideas, occasionally flashes of brilliance, but mostly with small clues. We notice a topic and then later it pops up again. Now with our radar up, more details or connections emerge and we get curious. Another reason writers and cats are so closely acquainted; curiosity.

My rule of three, look into something when I notice a topic three times, can turn into exploration with the most amazing results. This happened recently. Seems my military writing muse decided there was a vacuum in my writing workload. I’ve just finished the critique of a former student’s book about serving in Vietnam plus I am writing/editing three of my books. But before I can get my student’s book critique mailed off, another possible story surfaces. Literally.

Details and patterns are emerging about World War II submarines.  Now I don’t write about World War II, so this is doubly intriguing. But I am following the trail of clues, including the above photo I happened to snap in 2008, because my muse is quite curious about how this story unfolds. There is energy in the path. Right now it’s a mystery, but story vibes are present.

We writers must be open to going down a road we said we would not travel, when something pulls us toward a story.  I think our muse’s like to mess with us, but the beckoning of an important story waiting to be discovered can be like a siren call from the sea. Be open to a story calling your name to come explore.  Are you open to an unknown writing journey?

Back Away From The Popcorn…..

By Leave a Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook             (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Not sure I agree with the title on this video. While some might say this cat is being terrorized by popcorn, I believe this smart feline is exiting the blast zone due to incoming popcorn. One never knows when a popcorn machine will blow. Advancing in another direction is always an option during an enemy engagement.

Here’s to living to pop corn another day! Happy Quirky Friday.

Are You On The Right Team?

By 3 Comments

By Kimberly A. Cook        (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

We writers are drawn by the latest flashy trend or quirky story. But when it comes to career planning, are we on the right team? When I left the Army to go to college, I wanted to become a writer or a marine biologist. Taking advice from others I respected, I ended up with a business degree.

Graduating during the recession in the early 1980s, I couldn’t get a job and worked as a temporary receptionist. Fed up, I figured if I couldn’t get a job as a business person, I might as well go do what I loved in the first place. Used the rest of my G.I. Bill money and got a Journalism Technology Degree. Never looked back.

Advisors mean well but if their advice doesn’t fit your passion, screw it. Any vocation requires hard work and dedication, so we better like how we choose to spend our life energy. Money is not the be all and end all of life. If it was, there would be no poets. And we’ve got to have poets amongst us.

This past weekend I enjoyed the movie Big Miracle. With gray whale stars and Drew Barrymore, how could I lose? Been a huge whale fan my whole life, watching them traverse the Oregon Coast. While working on the newspaper in Newport, Oregon, I got to interview whale researchers and rescuers. My editor nicknamed me the marine mammal reporter. Dreams do come true.

We can listen to advice from other writers and authors, agents and coaches, but we have to listen to our own creative hearts. Find what makes you happy and pursue it. The movie is inspired by a true story about how diverse people came together to help three whales. Teamwork can move obstacles and whales. So, are you on the right creative team?

Pink Blooms, Summer and Penguins!

By 1 Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook               (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

My saxifrage decided to pop open their pink blooms on Valentine’s Day morning. They were promptly hailed on that night. February can go either way when it comes to weather.  Read a headline today that the worse snow storms happen in February. Oh joy!

So for this Quirky Friday, let’s dream of tropical nights, warm water, sand between our toes and penguins. Yes, penguins. My favorite feathered commandos will once again be on deck this summer for Madagascar 3. It’s these little signs of fun and summer that gets us through these winter days. Happy Quirky Friday and party like a penguin!

Will Machines Rule The World?

By Leave a Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook             (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

We writers watch trends and keep our ears open to what is happening around us, but we follow our own stars. Most of the time. A couple of years ago I watched a fascinating tv show profiling a science researcher. He was asked if scientific research drives the business world.

“No,” he replied. “Business drives scientific research. I read the Wall Street Journal every day.” Blew my mind at the time, but it makes sense. Even researchers have to follow the money at some point. So where does this lead us with machines and specialization?

Would love to see the business research on this product. Are kids getting their own microwaves now?

A New York Times article on Feb. 18 by Nick Wingfield opened a glimpse into the vending world future. Wingfield reported how Coinstar, those folks whose machines count your coins at grocery stores for a fee and proud owners of Redbox movie vending, are branching out. 

Coinstar is moving into coffee vending machines. Seems old school, but these are not just any machines; these mechanical baristas grind the beans, brew a fresh cuppa for one dollar and take your credit card. The cup of Joe tastes close to coffee shop liquid, according to Wingfield. So, besides grinding beans, what is Coinstar up to next?

Wingfield reported Redbox sees the writing on the box with online movie watching replacing movie discs, so they have “banded together with Verizon Communications to form a service that combines DVD and streaming movie options.”

With mobile phones, Nook Tablet, Kindle Fire and the iPad2 today, maybe our favorite drink will drop from one of those Coinstar coffee vending machines when we walk past. Our beverage may be followed by a new movie release, the latest e-version Wall Street Journal and our fav author’s latest ebook delivered to our “devices” without lifting a finger. Two out of four of those things are happening today.

Make mine hot cocoa and a romantic comedy to go! Machines rule! But the movies and ereaders still need content providers; or as we’re called by our old school name, writers.

Where’s R2D2 When You Really Need Him?

By Leave a Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook             (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

We writers face many obstacles in our careers, but none are more terrifying than the computer upgrade. This week I embarked on a seven point plan to increase my RAM (Random Access Memory), add a killer 2TB (terabyte) external hard drive, (I have Carbonite for perpetual backup, but I’m paranoid) upgrade to the Windows 7 operating system and then add a wireless router. After that, world peace should be a cinch.

Really, most of us would rather go into combat with a sharp spoon than face an upgrade. But with five pounds of after Valentine’s Day sale Peanut M&Ms, I advanced on my objective. With operational strategy and a strong support team, I expect this to be completed by Christmas; 2013. So in the spirit of upgrade wars, I present this Quirky Friday video to honor all those who have ventured into the valley of tech. May the chocolate be with you!