About the Author

WELCOME

“Welcome to Blaine’s Bookshelf! Creative, right? Anyways, that’s beside the point. When I was trying to decide if I should create an authors’ website, I tried to imagine a scenario where I could live without one. Can a person introduce themselves to the world without saying anything? It’s like the first day of class when the teacher says, “Let’s get to know one another by greeting those around you.” I pictured myself approaching someone and instead of reaching out my hand and saying a universal greeting such as “Hello!” or “Hi” I would stand there staring back. Cue awkward silence and creepiness. I don’t want to be creepy.

Introductions can be overwhelming at times, so I will try and keep this to a minimum. Hello! My Name is Blaine Cook. I’m from North Dakota, and I grew up in a small, rural community of Mohall. To answer a few questions burning in your mind right now: Yes, it’s cold here, and yes, we have electricity. Glad I could ease your mind and help you sleep better at night.

Where was I? OH, I think I was about to tell you I grew up on a four generation family-farm that is still in my family today. My mother is a retired speech therapist and the person who I credit with my ability to speak in grammatically correct sentences. I have three wonderful sisters who taught me how to dress. I mean, a person like myself doesn’t happen. A lot of behind-the-scenes ingenuity has taken place over the years. I would consider myself a sports junkie. I was a dual-sport athlete in high school (Basketball & Football), but I primarily focused on getting buckets when I wasn’t crushing it in the classroom. As The Office’s Andy Bernard once said, “…but I aced all my courses. They called me Ace. Got straight Bs.”

I graduated in 2013, and a few short months later I was a freshman at North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. I originally was a Pre-Pharmacy major, switched to Finance, and eventually landed on Sport Management. Why? I love people, and I love sports. It was a perfect match. I graduated, found a job and currently pursuing a master’s degree in Leadership in Physical Education and Sport. The end game you’re wondering? Teaching Sport Management philosophy to both graduate and undergraduate students in the collegiate university setting, assuming I don’t win the lottery.

*Bystander reading this introduction* “Blaine just answer the damn question of why this website exists and the name of your book you wrote so I can get on with my day.” Writing for me has always been a laissez-faire hobby. In high school, I was a fan of creative writing. Ask me to write a report on something specific? Not my cup of tea which makes sense because I don’t like tea. But, years later I decided to take a hobby and share my work with you.

The Nearby Resident is my first fiction mystery-based novel. It’s pretty good. But I don’t want your image of me to be sullied by the fact I’m saying, “It’s good.” So, here’s an alternative way I would make a pitch to you: The Nearby Resident is a book. It has words written on the inside that have been carefully selected to construct thoughts and ideas. It comes with a front and back cover and even includes page numbers. Read it for pleasure or read it while you’re sitting in the waiting room at the dentist. You do you.

I guess I fibbed when I promised to keep the introduction short. But there you have it. A lot of fluff to tell you this my website where you can learn more about The Nearby Resident and future projects.” *Cue dramatic walk-out scene*

Happy reading.

Blaine Cook, Author of The Nearby Resident

Founder of Blaine’s Bookshelf

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