E.R. COOK

Author. Artist. Dreamer.

  • The Birth of Science Fiction

    When I wrote Planetary Feedlot, I did not write it with a genre in mind. It was simply the story that I wanted to tell. But as I moved forward in self-publishing the book, I realized I had to pick a genre. I picked science fiction because with what little I knew; I thought it…

  • New Year’s Resolutions

    Yes, it is that time of year when you have to decide. Do you make a resolution, knowing that more than likely you’re going to give up on it after a week or two, or do you resign yourself to not making a resolution but feeling like you’re not accomplishing something anyway? I can’t tell…

  • Yule logs and lessons

    So, the first lesson is: the best laid plans don’t always happen. I wanted to put this out on Saturday. It was a day later than my normal Friday deadline, but I really wanted to include the pictures. Then my body thought it would be a great idea to be sick the rest of the…

  • O Christmas Tree: the story behind the iconic evergreen

    O Christmas Tree: the story behind the iconic evergreen

    Is there anything that says Christmas more than a brightly lit Christmas tree? Whether small or tall, the color of the lights or what type of ornaments, there is nothing more beautiful than a twinkling tree in a darkened room. But its not just the sight of the tree that evokes the Christmas spirit. I…

  • Tis’ the Season: Mistletoe and Magic

    Tis’ the Season: Mistletoe and Magic

    I love Christmas. From a brightly lit tree to sparkling icicles and a fresh fallen snow to gathering together for a meal or spending time with family, Christmas was always magical for me. I love picking out that perfect gift for people, seeing their faces light up in surprise. Even now, away from most of…

  • Snowstorms and candles: Weather moods and writing

    I’ve gotten a gift this week. Twice I’ve woken up to snow. As I stepped into my cold office, lit the candles and looked out at the darkened landscape, I could just make out the small flakes drifting down in the early dawn light, muted gray by the clouds but allowing me to see the…

  • Giving Thanks

    Giving Thanks

    So, this is the time of year that everyone’s thoughts turned to giving thanks, and most bloggers have a “Giving Thanks” blog. Normally, I eschew the cliché, just because I like doing my own thing. But on reflection, I realized that this has been a huge year for me. So much has changed, including starting…

  • My Life as a PTPW: Making words while the sun shines

    My Life as a PTPW: Making words while the sun shines

    As I sit typing this, I have a Roomba running around my feet knocking into chairs. A bread machine with a loose something in it is noisily making dough for dinner rolls. The oven is steam cleaning. I’m contemplating if its worth getting the fall decorations (that I meant to put out in September) out…

  • What’s in a (pen) name?

    When I started writing this book, I toyed with the idea of a pen name. I waffled back and forth, weighing the pros and cons, and eventually decided to go with one. The more I looked at the book cover with my new name on it, I came to enjoy using the name. I even…

  • And the adventure begins…

    And the adventure begins…

    Ever since I was a little girl I knew I wanted to be an author. My first work, prompted by a homework assignment much like my first novel, was a little flipbook called Bugtown that was written and illustrated by yours truly. That simple little book made from nothing but folded over printer paper and…