Q&A with Cereka Cook, Author of "Extreme Circumstances"
Q: When did you decide you wanted to write?
A: I have wanted to write since my teen years,
but I never wanted to write what the teachers assigned to me. I felt like I had my own
ideas and wanted to be able to express them my way.
Q: How many novels in all have you written?
A: I have completed two novels and so far one is successfully published.
Q: How long did it take you to write your first novel?
A: 8 months
Q: Where do you get your inspiration for your stories? Are the characters based on real
people?
A: My inspiration simply came from the love of imagination and the love of writing. Not to mention
that I found out that my mind was just as brilliant as many other authors. And as far as my characters, they were not
based on real people, but rather real situations. They are a piece of fiction, but we may all have experienced what
some of them have gone through at some time in our lives.
Q: After writing your first novel, did you self-publish?? If so, how was that experience?
A: Yes, I self-published w/the first draft of 'Extreme Circumstances' and
it was a good learning experience for me. I got a chance to learn about many things such as the bar codes, ISBN's and
distribution and sales.
Q: What feedback have you received from fans?
A: My feedback from fans have been nothing but love. I think most of all, they appreciate my
honesty as a writer. I don't sugar-coat anything. I tell it how it is.
Q: What authors do you admire? Did one of them inspire you?
A: I love so many other authors like Eric Jerome Dickey, Sheila Copeland, Richard Jeanty, Torrian Ferguson, and Donna
Hill.
Q: Is writing your only passion?
A: Writing is definitely my passion. There aren't many other things that I would want to do
almost every day.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: In 5 years, I will have achieved best selling author status. I will have a publishing company
assisting young writers get their name out there. And Extreme Circumstances (the
movie) will be in theatres near you.
Q: What advice would you give aspiring authors?
A: Just keep writing every day. When you have an idea, at least jot it in a journal or something
to jog your memory when you are able to come back to it later. Otherwise our original ideas fade awa;y. You want
your ideas to stay fresh. And last but not least, believe in yourself even when you don't think anyone else does.
Q: What would you like readers to learn from your stories?
A: It would be whatever they take from my stories, because everyone may interpret them differently.
Just so long as they learn something from it.
Q: Are you working on another novel?If so, What is it about?
A: At present, I am working on my second novel entitled, 'Insanely in Love'. It
is somewhat of a 'fatal attraction type novel, but with a few twists.
Q: Where can people purchase your books? Do you have a website?
A: My novels can be purchased at Borders, Waldenbooks, Barnes and Nobles and all the other major book stores,
including
amazon.com and my personal website @
www.cerekacook.com 
