I really feel honored to share what’s deep inside with someone so talented as yourself. I only hope I do your genius proud with my candor, honesty and humor. It’s been a long road to get here, and from the bottom of my heart, I’m proud to be the initial interview for The Sistah Circle Book Club. This is my first book club interview, and I truly hope it intrigues, illuminates and inspires those who read it to take a look at a novel that comes from the soul of a man still finding his way with this Love thing.                                           

THANKS,  PAL...
William “FREDRICK” Cooper

LC: Thank you, William, for considering to do this debut interview with The Sistah Circle Book Club.  I truly appreciate this!

LC: Where are you from?

Brooklyn, New York, the Basketball Capital of the world!!! (Hee! Hee!) In actuality, I spent as much time living on Staten Island as I have in Brooklyn. (Staten Island is a suburban borough of New York City.)  My youth was spent in the West Brighton Apartments (The Projects- Smile) on S. I., and my adult years have been divided between both boroughs

LC: When and why did you begin writing?

Back in the day, I was the guy who had a crush on you, yet had a tremendous fear of rejection. So, I resorted to the long-winded love letter expressing my affections. Never worked though. (Smile)
I was also the guy who loved and knew everything about sports, so I would write about that as well. (Still Do.) As I got older, whatever issues of awareness or unjust incidents that incited passion from our people moved me to pick up a pen and throw down.

LC: When did you consider yourself  a writer?

I don’t know if I consider myself that even at this juncture, even though I completed novel number one. I always felt that classification as a writer is something accrued over time, an accomplishment of collective works. Couple that with the fact I’m still learning the craft of writing... I have a ways to go to define myself as a writer. I express thoughts, I guess.

LC: Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?

 One word: EMOTION. If it’s not moving, then I won’t write or speak about it.  I gotta FEEL the story, or it won’t be done.
The problem that exists with this approach is that this style can be draining, so much so that it takes a considerable amount of time recuperating for the next project. That’s what I’m going through right now. So much of my heart went into this first novel that I’m honestly asking myself if I can do something that measures up emotionally.

LC: Do you have a specific writing style?

Not really, but if I had to fit a category I would hope to be labeled as a sensitive man expressing thoughts and truths with heartfelt emotion and authenticity. It all comes from within, Lisa. 

LC: What genre are you most comfortable writing?

You’re gonna get a kick out of this one. Though “Six Days In January” will be considered mainstream fiction, I feel REAL COMFORTABLE expressing romantic thoughts bordering on Erotica. For fear of acceptance, I restrained this special part of my soul for so long. I was so scared to let go. Now, as I feel unleashed, I find great joy in writing steamy love scenes,  romantic fantasies and amorous passages, for it reveals an aspect of my spirit that only a few people know about. (I’M A FREAK!!! - Off the Record..) I think I do a good job with some of the scenes in the novel. At least, I hope I did.

LC: How did you come up with the title of your book?

In January of 1998 I completed the first draft. Originally entitled “Two Sides”, I was sitting in the office of my colleague Timothy Chapelle, an excellent writer in his own right. I didn’t feel comfortable with it, and as while voicing my displeasure I blurted out “It takes place over Six Days In January..” .... Just like that. and he thought of the quote for the intro. Two cats just shootin’ the breeze at work, Lisa.

LC: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?

Some of the events depicted in the novel actually happened to me, yet I fictionalized them enough to add flavor and intrigue. Though I will say this: There’s one scene in middle of the book I told EXACTLY how it happened. It was one of the most emotional nights of my life and I  relived the experience by purchasing the CD and playing a song, over and over. I want the reader to feel the pain I felt that night. To feel the story period. And if the reader does this, then I’ve done my job.
I really hope every enjoys “Six Days In January”, for it comes from the heart of a man still struggling  with this love thing. 

LC: So, how much of the novel is realistic?

“Six Days In January” is about 40% true. It definitely rings a lot of me, and thoughts restrained for oh so long.
It speaks about that guy women always label as “nice” and “sensitive”, yet always seem to avoid until they’ve matured or endured abuse at the hands of someone indecent. However this is a guy warring with hurt and bitterness because of accumulative rejections received over time.  Wanting to maintain a positive balance and be the man he’s capable of being, he does some serious soul-searching in order to finds resolutions. Pretty interesting story that’s never been told before and it’s very close to home.

LC: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I only hope that the women who seek “images first” (good looks, financial security, material possessions.) in their quest for the ideal mate read this novel and start coveting things that should matter, namely substance, integrity and character.  A person shouldn’t have to have a together resume of “Things Accomplished” prior to your acquaintance, that’s superficial. Lawd knows, I’m still tryin’ to get it together, and writing a novel doesn’t change that.
Additionally, I hope our Queens realize that men have some “horrors stories” to tell as well; I heard some pretty messed up experiences while gathering research. And if we voice them, don’t label us as weak, or wimpy. Your assumption may not be accurate. If we, as men hold everything in, it manifests itself in the negative treatment of you.  Such abuse is something I don’t encourage or condone,  but can definitely understand how and why it happens at times.
The brothas? We need to start opening up and taking a chance with our hearts; women do it repeatedly. And there’s nothing wrong with exposing sensitivity or our own vulnerability, for doing this with the right person might help you turn liabilities to strengths. Speaking as an everyday person warring with my own insecurities, a lot of us need to take a look in the mirror and check ourselves.
Right now, Men are on one side of the fence, arms folded, calling out our women on being too demanding, image-conscious and haughty. And women are on the other side, hands on hips, bitter and embattled and showing apathy and negativity towards us. We gotta bridge that chasm that exists.

What do you do to set the mood for writing??

I COULDN’T WAIT TO ANSWER THIS ONE!!! Music is the universal language of expression, and believe me, I utilize it to the utmost. Like right now, I have Michael Jackson’s “Lady In My Life” in my ears. The fusion of lyrics and rhythm flows through me when I hear certain grooves, setting an appropriate ambiance to express thought.. Like Now: as MJ’s singing “Ooh Girl, Lemme Keep you Warm, You are the Lady in My Life...” a certain sensation is taking over me. Mmmm, I love it.
Can I tell you how I wrote one love scene for the novel? I came into work one Saturday Evening (At present, I don’t own a computer at home.), fixed myself  a screwdriver, killed the office lights, put on Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You CD”, and envisioned myself with a special someone, teasing her, pleasing her and appeasing her. Needless to say,  placing those musings by  on paper via computer light aroused me  so much that a cold shower  was in order. (HA! HA!)

LC: How do feel overall about self-publishing?

I think it’s a perfect vehicle to introduce voices and talents that agents and publishing houses ignore. It has its benefits in that you have total control of your project. You make all the decisions as to what your audience reads, and you’re not under the constraints or deadlines of an editor or publishing house.
The detriment to this avenue is that you Have to do EVERYTHING. You’re the agent, publicist and distributor as well as the author. Even the detriments are positive, for in the diverse responsibilities you learn more about the literary industry.
Another vehicle akin to self-publishing by way of Print On Demand/Electronic Book, the method I’m utilizing at present. When you explore these publishing companies, you realize there are many types of packages which they allow/assist you in the promotional capacity. Plus, you book is in print forever.
A major drawback I’m realizing is that many bookstores haven’t warmed to the concept, in large part because once the order the book from these houses, they can’t return them if they fail to generate interest. Kind of hoping my novel doesn’t have that problem. We’ll see.

LC: Do you feel that the boom in African-American writers is a fad, or another renaissance?

A Renaissance, easily. As long as people have stories to tell, the books will be produced. The only problem is that when purchasing is discerning whether the product is a quality work, or just some hype-up piece of junk.

LC: What are the strengths and weaknesses of promotion for self-published authors?

That’s tricky, Lisa. You hope that “Word Of Mouth” carries your work a long way, and the “Grass Roots, Door-to-Door, Store-to-Store” method can prove successful, especially here in the New York market. But only if your project holds up.
And that can be tough for a male writer attempting to accomplish what I’ve set out to do, for  African-American readers has grown accustomed to certain writing styles and hearing from certain authors. I’ve actually had people tell me “It’s not an Eric Jerome Dickey, Omar Tyree, E. Lynn Harris or Marcus Major novel, so I’m not interested.”  I liken the challenge to someone on the basketball courts tellin’ me “I have no game.” If you play the sport, you know what that does to you. And being I’m a big Jordan fan, I know I have something to prove. 
I’m fortunate to have found a dynamite publicist in Dannette Evans of Red Box Communications who believes in me, and together we’re in attack mode.           

LC: Would you encourage or mentor someone to become self-publish?

Yes, most definitely!! I have a helpful nature, so I would love to aid/mentor someone to yearns to write. But, I wanna learn about the craft more before do this.

LC: If you had it to do all over again, would you change anything?

No. NOT EVER.  Despite all the nights I’ve slept on my office floor, endured failed relationships,  shed tears when thinking of  agonizing memories at the hands of women and myself, received rejection letters from agents telling me in so many words “my writing style was too different for a man and it won’t sell.”, the usual share of “haters”. But, I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat, for the road traveled has forged in me a drive never possessed. It has given me courage, persistence, determination and confidence in knowing I can get the job done.
I liken this to when Michael Jordan won his first basketball championship, back in 1991. He and the Chicago Bulls endured three playoff failures to the Detroit Pistons, each time his team narrowing the competitive gap between the two teams, yet always coming up short in 1988, 89 & 90. Those trials by fire built character in the Bulls and finally, in 1991, they broke through, and went from there.
I have a videotape of Jordan’s ordeal I used to watch when motivation was at its lowest. I thought about some bad experiences and how I wanted emotional closure of things that tormented me for so long. I remember how the Pistons’ segment ends with the narration “The nightmare is finally over and for the first time, the Bulls are moving on..” With the completion of my first novel, I followed suit.

LC: Tell us your latest news ?  

Well by the time this interview hits your website, I will have returned from Orlando Florida, and the 2001 Romance Slam Jam. (to take place March 1-4, 2001 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort in Florida) I’ll be making my introduction to the world of African-American Literature, as I am participating in the conference as a workshop moderator, awards presenter, and a co-panelist in a discussion: Brothers Speak Out on Romance and the Industry. I’m fortunate to debut with two authors of enormous talent: Robert Fleming (The African-American Writers Handbook) and D.J. Coleman (I Shall Overcome & How I Made It Over.)

LC: What are your current projects??

Besides promoting “Six Days”, I’m still outlining novel number two. I have permission to tell the tale, but it has to be better technically than the first work, without any slippage in emotional content. I’ll probably take some writing classes, and lean on my mentors for support. I hope they understand.

LC: How does your family and/or friends feel about your book or writing venture in general?

My friends have given me unconditional support, almost more than I possibly imagined. Some of the uplifting pep talks have moved me to tears, Lisa, because it gets so frustrating at times, hoping people believe in your dream. 
My immediate family is so proud. The day after I found out the book was available (February 6, 2001), my brother Jeff went bragging to everyone at a local restaurant about the novel. If you could only see the embarrassment on my face. Pops has predicted major things for me. but it’s funny: MY MOTHER HAS NO IDEA HOW THINGS HAVE EVOLVED. AFTER ORLANDO, I’LL PRESENT HER WITH A COPY.  
Perhaps the greatest show of support comes from my daughter Maranda telling everyone she “wants to be a writer, just like daddy.” That chokes me up every time.

LC: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

The New York Romance Writers: Deirdre Savoy, Donna Hill, Gwynne Forster, Loure’ Bussey  and Rochelle Alers have all had my back. And that means so much. Plus Charene Thornton at Zedivaswisdom.com, The Black Writers Alliance and Timbooktu. Rhonda Gibson, from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and her book group and hopefully, yours as well.

LC: Is there any additional information you would like to share with your readers?

Though I’ve been hurt before and caused some pain in my own right, (something I’m not proud of) I’m still one that believes that Love conquers all. Not Money. Not Riches. Love. God is Love, and sprinkle in a little respect, and we got something.