Interview with Angela V.Cook

Interview with Angela V.Cook

Catina: Hi Angela, I want to take the time to thank you for stopping by and doing this interview with me. Angela Cook is the author of Into a Million Pieces.

~Ouestions about the Author~

Catina: Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

Angela Cook: I live just outside of Detroit with my husband and two children. When I’m not staring at a blinking cursor, I can usually be found at the nearby police department (where I work part time) or dragging unwilling children to orthodontist appointments and soccer fields.

Catina: Do you have any special sayings or expressions?

Angela Cook: I’m a big believer in the expression “everything happens for a reason.” If something is meant to be, the universe (or God, depending on your beliefs) will find a way to make it happen, and if it doesn’t, there’s a reason why. Believing that powers bigger than me are at work takes some of the pressure off of me and makes life a little easier sometimes ;)

Catina: What is your favorite book? Why?

Angela Cook: Oh goodness… I don’t think I can pick just one. I adore just about anything by Toni Morrison. Oh, and I love Philippa Gregory’s Tudor series. In YA, I practically worship Stephanie Perkins and Rainbow Rowell. However, one of my all-time favorite books is probably THE GREAT GATSBY. I love that whole time period of fedoras, flapper dresses, and mint juleps. And the theme of the story--unrequited and undying love--is timeless.  

Catina: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Angela Cook: I’ve always had a vivid imagination, and I wrote off and on all throughout my childhood and teenage years, but it took an early midlife crisis to make me realize I wanted to try my hand at this whole getting-published thing.

Catina: What books/authors influenced you to write your first book?

Angela Cook: I know some people will cringe when they read this, but actually, it was Stephenie Meyer. I was one of those readers who became obsessed with her books, and when I found out she was a stay-at-home mom (just like me at the time) when she wrote Twilight, I got inspired. I figured, if she could do it, so could I.

~Questions about your book~

Catina: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Angela Cook: Hmm… I don’t know. I think it was just another way for me to express my imagination. When I was younger, I played with Barbies and dolls, but as I got older, I had to find different ways to express my imagination (apparently adults playing with dolls is frowned upon, heh). Writing was just the medium I chose to do so.

Catina: Where did you get your ideas for your book?

Angela Cook: During the summer of 2010, there was a short-lived TV show called The Gates. It was about a gated community where the residents were of the supernatural persuasion (werewolves, vampires, witches, etc.).  One of the residents was a teenage succubus. Every time this girl kissed her boyfriend, she absorbed some of his life energy, which in turn weakened him. I had never heard of a succubus, but I loved the idea of a teenage girl who was in love, but couldn’t so much as kiss her boyfriend without harming him. It was then the wheels of creativity started turning.  

Catina: Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?

Angela Cook: My main character is Allison. She’s a seventeen-year-old succubus, which means she has the ability to drain life energy from men. A kiss from her will weaken them, but losing her virginity means a man loses his life. Luckily, Allison wants nothing to do with the deadly curse that has plagued the women of her family for generations and refuses to go down the same murderous path as her mother. Therefore, she does her best to avoid the attention of men by hiding her cursed good looks behind dark clothes and makeup. However, fighting her own destiny isn’t all she has to worry about. She also has to make sure her reckless sister, Jade, keeps her succubus side hidden, while dealing with an overly religious aunt.

Catina: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Angela Cook: Finding the time to do it! I work outside the home, plus I have two kids and a husband. The kids have homework and extracurricular activities, and the husband—for some strange reason—likes to spend time with his wife on occasion. So yeah… time is a very valuable commodity.

Catina: What are your current projects?

Angela Cook: I have two other manuscripts that I wrote after IaMP, but those are on hold right now, because I’m writing a sequel to IAMP that I’m really, really, REALLY excited about. A sequel wasn’t necessary, and I even debated whether or not to write one (the book could stand alone as is), but I just don’t feel like Allison’s story is over. I have questions I want answered, and to be honest, writing about a teenage succubus is exciting! I really enjoyed writing IAMP, and I feel that same excitement as I continue Allison’s story.

Catina: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Angela Cook: Get to know other writers. Share your work with them. Don’t be afraid of constructive criticism. It can be difficult to take at first, but if you want to grow as a writer, you have to be willing to not only take criticism, but also be willing to utilize it through the revision process.

These questions were fun and unique! Thanks so much for having me!

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