: About Me

The Writing Life: Joe Cooke
Interview by Patricia Divine Wilder

Joe Cooke arrives at Toastmasters in a neatly pressed shirt, blue jeans and cowboy boots. His presence here is a reminder of his passion for self-improvement. Besides being an accomplished speaker, he's the music director at church. A couple of years ago he played the role of Jesus in Godspell. He's been a CPA, a financial manager, a consultant and a Realtor. In addition to his law degree, he's a certified gold ballroom dancer and studies Shudokan Karate. How did all this lead him to writing? I thought I'd find out.

Patricia Divine Wilder: Joe, when did you first identify yourself as a writer?

Joe Cooke: I wrote a story in sixth grade about filling a box with cow manure and wrapping it up as a birthday present for my sister. It got a lot of attention from my parents and teachers for some reason. That was my first taste of notoriety. I think it taught me that words can be fun. I took creative writing classes in college while I worked on my accounting degree. Over the years I wrote a bit here and there, but I tried to ignore the writing bug. People kept telling me that I couldn't make a living writing, that I was more likely to get hit twice by lightning in the same day than I was to write a best-seller, stuff like that.

PDW: What kind of writing influences your work?

(go to www.joecooke.info to read the full interview)

My passion is ...

Writing and my family.

I know too much about ...

Accounting.

My parents always told me ...

I'd never make money as a writer.

My childhood ambition ...

to be a writer, a musician and famous.

My favorite memory ...

My first motorcycle, a Honda Mini 50.

Why I write ...

I have to.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

The movie Serenity.

My first job ...

Trimming the lowest branches off Christmas trees.

My best moment ...

Hasn't happened yet, but I've had some awesome ones so far!

My inspiration ...

That inner feeling that comes from following my heart.

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