Between vacation, gardening, and a three book series keeping me consumed I have put off too long introducing you to another amazing person in my life. When my writing journey began two years ago I reached out to a handful of my favorite authors and Elaine was one of those who also reached back. Over a short period of time we clicked and soon she was mentoring me through the gorges and vines of the publishing world. I would have never gotten through writing my own bio without her.
Elaine Cooper drew me in with Saratoga Letters, one of my favorite historical novels. If you haven’t explored the her amazing well researched works, do yourself a favor and check her out. Her books are everywhere, so no excuses. As a newbie to the publishing world, I can’t express enough how hard it is putting yourself out there. Having an Elaine in my life, encouraging me and celebrating my progress, has made all the difference. She has no problem pointing out mistakes of the obvious, but I have thicker skin going into this career, thanks to her. 
How did Elaine the wife, mother, and nurse become an award-winning author?
I’m still trying to figure that one out! LOL! Seriously, I never thought I’d become a writer of novels, even though I’d done some freelance work for newspapers and magazines off and on for years. There was a time that I gave up writing all together after my daughter passed away from a brain tumor in 2003. Not long afterwards, I remember writing a story for a church magazine and my emotions were raw from my loss. It was excruciating to write and I vowed I’d never “pick up the pen” again. But God had other plans for me. On the 4th anniversary of my daughter’s death, I hid under my bedcovers, only to “hear” an inner voice call me to write a book. I ignored it at first —until I “heard” it again. It was an unmistakable voice even though it was inaudible. I followed that directive … and I’m still writing.
As a fan of your books, I have to ask. Why history? What made you choose the genre or did it simply choose you?
Again, that inaudible voice guided me to write about my ancestors in the American Revolution. The whole experience was surreal. I have always loved history and grew up visiting historical sites in the Boston area. But I never imagined writing about it in fictional form. Interesting enough, my 2020 release of “Scarred Vessels” will occur on the anniversary date of my daughter’s passing—October 20. It feels like a God thing to me.
What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Help other writers. As word-crafters we sometimes get so consumed in our own projects and the need to advance our own manuscripts, we can forget there are other writers who struggle. It is a blessing to stop looking in the mirror of our own stuff, and look into the faces of others in the field who need help, or even just a kind word. I’m always amazed when other writers thank me for something I did or said years before that I might not even recall. But it meant so much to them. That blesses my heart and I pray I will always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when He prompts me to reach out or respond to a request for help.
Tell us something about yourself that nobody really knows.
I only type one handed. Years ago, I had nerve damage in my left hand that hinders me from typing with it. One day, my granddaughter, Chloe (age 9) said, “GiGi, you are typing wrong.” I explained to her what happened and she said, “Oh. You’re pretty fast the way you type!” Yes, I am, praise the Lord!
You tend to travel, researching your upcoming novels. Where is that one place you call your favorite and why?
I think I will always love Boston the best for travel and inspiration. I grew up six miles away and the history is everywhere!
I am a big fan of shout outs and supporting my favorite fellow authors. Who are your go to authors and how do you support their works?
There are so many wonderful authors out there—too many to name! I must say that Laura Frantz and J.M. Hochstetler hold special places in my heart for both their research and amazing writing skills. I always love to help other authors when their books release by posting about their new books. I buy their books and write and post reviews. Reviews are SO needed for authors’ books! So many don’t understand the importance that reviews play in book promotion.
Favorite Quote:
It’s by Edmund Burke: “Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it.”
Bio:
Elaine Marie Cooper has two historical fiction books that recently released: War’s Respite (Prequel novella) and Love’s Kindling. Love’s Kindling is available in both e-book and paperback. They are the first two books in the Dawn of America Series set in Revolutionary War Connecticut. Cooper is the award-winning author of Fields of the Fatherless and Bethany’s Calendar. Her 2016 release (Saratoga Letters) was finalist in Historical Romance in both the Selah Awards and Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She penned the three-book Deer Run Saga and has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. Scarred Vessels, a novel about black soldiers in the American Revolution, will release in 2020. You can visit her website/ blog at www.elainemariecooper.com