As for who Raymond Cook is, well, I’m 60 years old and have been a writer and poet since 1983 when I enrolled in a college creative writing class as an elective. At that point I had no interest at all in becoming a writer or author. In truth, how many people have taken a writing course in high school or college and believed they would write a book one day? 

Little did I realize what a “Profound Impact” that class and my instructor, Mr. Art Wicks would have on my future. Between 1983 and 2010 I wrote my poetry and stories but refused to believe that one day I could set down and pen thousands of words and put a title to what would one day be considered a book. In 2003, I wrote a 5 page western romance story I simply called, “A Western Romance Story!” It was only meant to be a short story. Each year I would add a few pages to the story because I liked the story line and characters. In 2011 while wanting to add 10 more pages to what was now a 50 page story, “Something happened” and it became a book called; “Was It Fate Or Destiny?” 

Random stuff about me 

I grew up in a small logging town in Washington State called Shelton.
 I have a grown daughter, 30 and a grown son, 25.
 I presently live in California and love the blue sky.                                                                       
 I am a disabled veteran having served in the U. S. Marines. (1972-74).
 I love deer hunting and fishing                                                                                                         
 My best friend’s grandchildren treat me as a long lost uncle. (Big Smiles)                          
 I like going to rodeos, county fairs, garage sales, swap meets and farmers markets.
 I like helping others if I can and have a strong ‘volunteer’ spirit within me.   
                                              
My advice to anyone who wants to write a book but thinks they can't, Stop saying, "I can't."