Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Joanne Alain Cook
Book Title: Joanne Alain Cook
Released: 12/15/21
Genre: Murder Mystery
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Oh, Henry”?
Cook: Oh, Henry was originally written to amuse my husband, and so it made sense that his story should include dogs. He never misses a day at the dog park with our Lab, and always comes home with an amusing anecdote about something that happens out there.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Cook: Some names come from literature, because the main character is obsessed with a book, and there is an underlying bookish theme in the story.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Cook: The cover for Oh, Henry is an original artwork. It’s the result of an experiment to see how hard it would be to create a simple, graphic cover that includes the basic elements of the story; dripping blood for the murder mystery, dog for the dog story, hearts for the romance, and the whimsical lettering for the humor. I wanted it to have an old-fashioned mystery book feel.
If "Oh, Henry" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Cook: These actors seem to give off the vibe for the following characters;
Sarah- Daisy Edgar Jones
Matt – Rege-Jean Page
Mrs. Bennet – Melissa McCarthy
George – Will Poulter
Doctor King – Christopher Lee
Officer Bane – Rahul Kohli
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Cook: Back up your files. Print out your WIP for proofreading. Coffee after midnight is not a good idea.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Cook: I’m always inspired when admiring another artist’s work. When my creativity hits a standstill, I go to books, movies, art, or music for inspiration. There’s nothing like art to inspire art.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Cook: This is a tough question. I have gone through stages where I was obsessed with mystery/thrillers, then sweeping romance, then romcoms, then classics, then the Pulitzer prize winners, horror, general fiction. Don’t make me pick!
What are you working on next?
Cook: My current WIP is the third part of a trilogy in the final editing stages. The Spectral Analysis Trilogy follows a team of TV ghost hunters as they search for paranormal energy. Each book acts as a stand-alone story, but interwoven in each novel is a larger plotline that is revealed and resolved in part three. It is a mixture of mysticism, sci-fi, romance, and the paranormal.
Learn More About the Author and Oh, Henry here:
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