Interview With Author Thomas Cole
1. What inspired you
to write this book? My
mother and fathers’ parental advice. I grew up in a home-schooled family of
seven children (I am number three). People would ask my parents for advice
wherever they went. One of their most popular phrases was, “Whatever you
do…don’t blink!” They would say this phrase to encourage parents to enjoy the
“now” and to never wish time or the season in which they were living in, away.
2. What exactly is
it about and who is it written for? I like to call my book a “children’s
book for parents.” Through childlike illustrations and simplistic writing,
parents are reminded to enjoy every beautifully messy season raising children
has to offer. It’s a simple reminder to appreciate the little moments in their
child’s life because before you know it, you’ll blink and that moment will be
gone.
3. What do you hope
readers will get out of reading your book? My hope and internal desire is to truly
encourage parents. Encourage them to see. Encourage them to hear. Encourage
them to interact. And encourage them to embrace the everyday life.
4. How did you decide on your
book’s title and cover design? As I said before, the title of my book was inspired by my
parents’ advice. However, the cover design was inspired by the moment in life
where “becoming a parent” becomes “real.” It’s the moment when the visual
picture of being responsible for a human life begins to sink in. Otherwise
known as, the ultrasound.
5. What advice or words of
wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!? T o quote Nike… “Just Do It.” With all honesty
though, that was my inspiration to go for the jump. “Just do it.” So many
people, writers, dreamers, fall into the depressing mindset of the “ifs,
“wishes,” and “should of.” When in all actuality, the only person who’s
stopping you is, you. If I could look all those people, writer, dreamers in the
eye and say one thing. I would tell them, “follow peace.” If you have peace
with working with a certain publisher, editor, illustrator, or if you have
peace about doing it all by yourself then… just do it! Follow where you feel
peace and just do it!
6. What trends in the book
world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is
heading? Impersonal writing. I
see a large vicinity of nonsense story telling with empty headed characters
that project impersonal or unrealistic idealism into the minds and or hearts of
the readers. Especially children. I feel as if the industry is slowly losing
simple, heartfelt stories that reinforce the reader’s morality and or
reality.
7. Were there experiences in
your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this
book? Plenty. I have worked
in childcare for twelve plus years and have seen the sad, parental decay that
our society is facing, not in the future, but now. Parenting has become
extremely impersonal, stressful, and tiresome. For example: “If I could just
get through this day, I can have my evening.” “If I could just get through this
day, I will have my weekend.” “I wish my child would stop crying and grow up
already.” “I can’t wait till they graduate, now I can have the house to myself
again.” Parents are being taught to survive the seasons of life, instead of
enjoying them. These are reasons why I created this “children’s book for
parents” to remind them to not miss the season that they’re in, before they
miss out on the lifetime.
8. How would you describe
your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to? Honestly, I believe my illustrations and
writing reflects one of a child. Which was my intention. Charles Swartz is a
huge inspiration of mine. His Charlie Brown comics and characters resemble the
simple, heartfelt storytelling that our society is most definitely lacking more
than ever.
9. What challenges did you
overcome in the writing of this book? The biggest challenge I had to face was fear. Fear of publishers
not accepting it. Fear of people not buying it. Fear of putting my heart into
something and throwing it out there, never to be appreciate or seen. As a
creator, you have to face fear. But the beauty of it all, is the fact that its
only fear. It’s only fear. And the easiest way to overcome fear is by not
listening to it. Fear tries to keep you from taking the next step, so if you go
ahead and take that step… Boom! That level of fear has been defeated and now
you’re on to the next level, the next step, the next project.
10. If people can buy or read
one book this week or month, why should it be yours? I am just homeschooled kid from a big
family. My book came to my imagination on the way back from my family’s annual
beach vacation. I typed it out on my phone and illustrated it with crayon. It’s
simple, sentimental, and genuinely childlike. It was the feeling of fear
telling me, “its not good enough.” But it was the Nike in me that was saying,
“Just do it.” If you wish to support the “doers” in this world, then I
encourage to buy this book and support those who dare to take that next step.
For more information, please see: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whatever-you-dodont-blink-hannah-cole/1144565414
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About Brian
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Brian Feinblum should be
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copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2024. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now
resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue
dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The
Writer and IBPA’s The Independent. This
award-winning blog has generated over 3.9 million pageviews. With 4,900+ posts
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www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades,
including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book
publicity firm, and director of publicity positions at two independent presses,
Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres,
right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark
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RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He
hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and
has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence
College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association,
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Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have
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