Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Kimberly A. Cook

Is Tech A Tool Or A Toy For Writers?

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by Kimberly A. Cook         (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Started reading Kristen Lamb’s new book, “Rise of The Machines: Human Authors In A Digital World,” this past weekend. Great read. Really enjoying her recap of all that has happened in the publishing biz in the last several years and where we are headed.

Old desktop box on the left, cute new screamer desktop box on the right. HEPA filter on top, in case you wondered.
Old desktop box on the left, cute new screamer desktop box on the right. HEPA filter on top, in case you wondered.

In order to buy her Kindle book I had to read it on my computer. I have a Classic Nook and a Nook Tablet, but they won’t talk to the Kindle unless I do engineering hijinks I am not qualified to do. Could get the App for my Android Phone, but don’t want to use the small screen.

This all got me to thinking about how do we keep up with tech from a hardware standpoint as writers? At the day job last Thursday I got a brand new desktop box to replace the old one which has been clunking along for six years. Like getting a new Corvette! Man the thing moves and going from 2 GB RAM to 8 GB RAM is divine.

Now I want one at home. Both my day job and home computers were top of the line when I got them six years ago, but time moves in light years in upgrade land. Now I am trying to guess which way to go for my future home computer.

Since I switched over to digital photos from film and started making videos too, computer memory and processing power are now a big deal. While I like portability, I prefer a larger screen and keyboard when dealing with photos and video instead of a laptop. Tablets are nice for viewing, but for actual work, I find them frustrating when working with any type of “transmedia.”

Basic portable writing can be done on my pink laptop which cannot have its .99 GB of RAM memory upgraded, never even knew there was a soldered daughter board, but it can still compose and play Wheel of Fortune and Scrabble, so I’m good.

So what is my first tip? Whatever I buy, purchase the exact opposite. I have the Palm, Blackberry, Nooks and non-upgradeable laptop to support my case; plus my six-year-old desktop. Then there is the whole Windows 8 thing where they didn’t give us a start button the first time out. Seriously?

Hoping to hobble along a little longer before having to shell out some major pesos and “gasp” shift computers. While we use them as tools, they are also toys at times, expensive toys. But still cheaper than a Harley or a bass boat! I think.

How About A Great Whale Tale?

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by Kimberly A. Cook           (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Happened upon this clip while doing my usual cruise through Weather.com’s 10 day forecast for my town. I adore whales. When bad things happen to good whales it makes me crazy, but this whale had seagoing angels.

Do not try this at home, kids. These guys are experienced and still took huge risks, but I know that special Right Whale had the smarts to know they were trying to help. So for a good Happy Quirky Friday send off, check out this fabulous whale of a tale and tail. Get it?

When Is A Box Or A Drawer A Good Thing For Your Book?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                                               (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

True confessions time. Last weekend I put my book in a box. Literally. I took it off my desk and put it in a plastic container with a lid and stuck it in a corner. We both need a time out. Now some writers might think I am avoiding hard work or procrastinating or all of the above. Probably.

My book in the box. (I keep all my manuscripts in 3-ring binders.) Back away from the box.......
My book in the box. (I keep all my manuscripts in 3-ring binders.) Back away from the box…….

However, when I am avoiding my entire home office because the manuscript is in there, it’s telling me something else is going on with the book. Like, maybe I don’t want to write this book at all. Forget the fact it is a second edition, originally published in 2006, it’s almost done – except for all the final grunt work.

A big part of this is the “been there, done that” where’s the new hot spicy fun stuff part. But a bigger part I am coming to realize is after specializing in my military niche for 16 years, its wearing a little thin on me or I am too thin in the creativity department right now. Think both apply.

Rather than slog through the grunt work and produce a second edition book with mediocre updates, I decided to give both of us recess time. Immediately felt better. Yes, the siren call of my other fiction and non-fiction manuscripts are luring me, but right now my right brain wants to do one thing; knit.

So that is what I am going to do for a while, be a creative knitter, write my blog posts, take pictures and see what happens. Maybe my muse needs a sabbatical summer to get itself in gear again. Or maybe there are bigger shifts afoot here in writer brain land. It’s been a bumpy eight months for me for various reasons and I think all the parts of my brain want a summer sojourn.

Warm summer evenings spent swinging in the lawn swing and knitting up a storm may be just what my muse needs to refresh and reinvigorate itself. Or maybe it is making grand plans I have no inkling about. One never knows.

Have you ever put your work in a box or drawer for a time and then gotten back to it? Was it fermenting or decomposing or growing in there? My quirky mind would like to know!

Cats Play Or Training?

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by Kimberly A. Cook           (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

With a tap dancing seagull last Friday, it’s time to give the cats a shot at making the big time. This fabulous little kitten seems to be enjoying the play aspect, forget the training. At times walking seems to still be a challenge. I imagine the person with the feather toy is getting a great bicep workout.

Trying to talk Spec Ops Cat into maybe some agility training, but he insists he’s retired. We shall see how that works out. Enjoy the kitten and Happy Quirky Friday!

Now For Something Completely Different – Happiness

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by Kimberly A. Cook         (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Author Debbie Macomber is one of the sharpest marketing minds in romance fiction today. Besides that, she is a wonderful person, class act and always takes the high road. I’ve taken classes from her and learned from her since the mid-1980s. She is a gem and a great storyteller.

Author Debbie Macomber. Photo by The Hallmark Channel
Author Debbie Macomber. Photo by The Hallmark Channel

In this world of 24-hour infotainment news, plugged in everything and people getting a tad rude everywhere, I am so excited her new tv series debuts on the Hallmark Channel this Saturday, July 20, at 8 p.m.

Debbie’s made for tv movies from her books have been on the Hallmark Channel in the past, but this launch is the first tv series for Hallmark and they’ve bet their golden crown on Debbie Macomber. Good choice.

With more than 100 novels published and 170 million in print, Debbie always shares with aspiring romance writers and her readers. She is very smart about her career decisions and learns from her own mentors too.

Check out the two video previews of the new series here: http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/cedarcove/video/Preview/CedarCoveExtendedTrailer

If you enjoy good stories, treating people with respect and dignity, and the novelty of not one car chase, this series is for you. Check out Debbie Macomber’s web site at www.debbiemacomber.com and see all the great things she does for her readers.

This is going to be a fun debut, so fire up the popcorn popper, grab the pets and snuggle in this Saturday. It will be a great beach vacation without leaving the couch!

Can You Tap Dance Like A Bird?

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by Kimberly A. Cook         (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Another Friday rolls around and this video clip is a gem. Been watching a lot of older movies lately and this seagull must have been doing the same thing. Reminds me of Gene Kelly in “Singin’ In The Rain.”

Dance is one of the best things for us humans, so why not for animals too? Check out the style and moves of this seagull, he may soon be on “So You Think You Can Dance?” Have a fabulous weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!