A Conversation With J. California Cooper

For more than four decades, the inimitable playwright and author J. California Cooper has captivated readers with her award-winning homegrown stories of love, compassion and morality. The tales are often related through common folks with a panache of humor and a smack of hubris.

Today, Cooper is one of the grandes dames of African American literature, winning a string of awards, including the American Book Award, the James Baldwin Writing Award and the Literary Lion Award from the American Library Association. Cooper, the author of four novels and six collections of short stories, also has been named Black Playwright of the Year.

In her newest novel, 'Life is Short but Wide,' Cooper calls on some familiar themes and characters, such as villains and heroes, cheats and lovers, in modern-day memes that weave together a beguiling love story for the ages. She recently spoke with BV Bookshelf about what inspired her latest story, what motivates her work and what is next.

The College Survival Guide

A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.

Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.

Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.

Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.

MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.

Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age

Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.

Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.

Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.

Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!

What was the genesis of 'Short but Wide'?

I wanted to write about a love affair between older people. Everyone writes about beautiful people. All of their heroes and heroines are beautiful. In this book, there is a disabled woman, Myine, who has a beautiful affair with a man named Herman.

"So, the next few years passed smoothly, and quickly,'' reads an excerpt from the book. "Herman and Myine built such a happiness as to compare with any happiness on earth. A happiness that did not depend on money or looks. Using, or being used. They were happy, and content. Of course, everyone who happened to have a chance to be around either of them felt their joy in living.''

Your characters are so rich and textured. How do you develop them?

I study the Bible. There are 66 books in the Bible, mostly written by Paul. I've read most of them. I wouldn't say I've read it from front to back, but I've studied a great portion of it. I also look at people, and I live. My characters just show up in my mind one day. Then, coming up with the dialogue is the easiest thing in the world. They just talk. Of course, I have a lot of information to draw from. I read a lot, and I have an active imagination. I played with paper dolls until I was 18. Also, I pay attention to life. I'm a student of life. Not only do I write about people, I write about bugs and animals.

Are there days or times when you are more creative than others?

I like to write at 6:30 a.m. You feel like the world is fresh and clean. I write better in the rain than at any other time. My characters also come when I listen to Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto Nos. 3 and 4. While writing 'Life is Short but Wide,' I relied a lot on Rachmaninoff. I also relied on Erik Satie, the French composer and pianist. They were very inspirational.

What is it that you want people to gain from reading your books?

People have a short attention span. I write about the things I write about. New writers want to impress the world. I don't care about that. Life is fascinating. That is why it's such an honor and a privilege to watch it. I'm fascinated by it. That is what I want to share. I'm hoping to write about a little demon called Sinsum. That's what he wants you to do, sin some. He left heaven with Satan 5,000 years ago. He talks about the time of Cleopatra. He talks about Hitler and other different atrocities. He talks about peace and security coming to an end. He's a very interesting character. I can't wait to put him on the page.

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