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!? To 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 Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. This is 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 over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by 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 Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan 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, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.