18Q Barbie Perkins Cooper

Barbie Perkins Cooper

1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you?

I suppose the writing profession chose me – at an early age – in the third grade of elementary school. My first short story was published, all to the credit of my father and his tenacity and belief in me.

2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.)

Degree – only in the school of hard knocks. I attended college in my mid 30’s, but withdrew after my writing career began to kick off. Non-fiction and stories about things that really happen are what I enjoy writing about. For eighteen years, I worked in the hospitality industry. When that door closed, God opened a window for me to write and to branch out into the exciting world of travel writing.

3. When did you ‘know’ you were a writer?

This reality occurred to me only a few years ago when I recognized that family, friends, and those in academia were constantly asking me to improve their letters, business correspondence, speeches, etc. After critiquing these, I began submitting query letters and screenplays to agents, publishers, competitions and magazines. Building a marketing plan after polishing my resume, I realized I had many achievements and over 60 published stories, so I must be a writer, after all!

4. How would you describe your style of writing?

Disciplined. My writing style is disciplined, informative and sometimes humorous, or touching. I enjoy the writing process and find I am at my best when the words are flowing.

5. What is your writing process?

Many times I awaken at 3am, when all is quiet within the house I find the words and the writing process is much easier to flow. At 3am, there are no interruptions. My pups are asleep, hubby asleep and the phone doesn’t ring! Sometimes I will awaken with a thought to a project I’ve been working on and it continues to race in my mind. When I have these “Eureka” moments I drag myself out of bed to get the thoughts down. Otherwise, my writing process is early morning before going to the gym, and during the afternoon, and sometimes the late night. At other times, when deadlines are pushing, I write seven days a week. I work best with deadlines and always give myself a two week timeframe so I will meet all deadlines. Nothing is worse than a writer submitting late deadlines, or pushing the limit to where the writer doesn’t have time to proofread, or allow the project to get cold and fresh in the mind. Applying my rule of a “two week timeframe” permits me to have additional time to rethink and revise the project.

6. What was your path to publication

I’m laughing while answering this because my first published piece was in the third grade, as mentioned before. Nevertheless, my adult path to publication was in 1998 when I wrote for construction publications. Imagine, a woman arriving on construction sites with hard hat, tape recorder and camera in hand, interviewing construction workers, developers and taking photographs of the project. Everyone laughs when I tell them I worked as a construction writer for many years, only to decide to expand into other markets in late 2004. Now, I write for travel, hair and beauty, and a variety of other publications while pursuing to break into the world of screenwriting. I’ve won many awards as a screenwriter, and I’ve been close to the ‘option stage’ only to have that door close once again.

7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea?

My favorite self marketing idea would be my web site, brochures and business cards. I believe exposure is the key to success, and I strive to get my name out there. I am a bit selective about the markets I write for simply because I have a reputation to maintain and I strive to be professional. When working on a project, I do my best to make certain all of my T’s are crossed and all my facts are correct. I tell others to make certain their reputation is not jeopardized and to build a careful marketing plan. Writing is a business and although I detest the business aspect of a writing career, because it takes away from the thrill and the “Euphoria” of writing, marketing is the key.

8. What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer?

Without a doubt my biggest surprise as a writer was selection as a finalist for the Chesterfield Writers Film Project, Fade In competition and winning a Grand Goldie Film Award for screenplays. I felt as if I was dreaming, so I pinched myself to make certain I wasn’t. I was truly flabbergasted!

9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity?

Inspiration comes from many ways – a nice stroll on the beach, watching people, crowds, lovers, hearing the laughter of children. Observing life – the good and the bad. Sometimes I get inspiration from older people and how they react to one another. Other times, I am inspired by listening to the expressions of children. Music. The sounds of life. I love to take long walks with my dogs and while walking, I’m sifting thru the actions of the day or week. If I’m having difficulty with a piece, many times I will treat myself to a day at the beach. While there, I’m able to clear away the cobwebs and fill my mind with inspiration. Other times, I will clean the house, or work out. Inspiration is everywhere if only we, as writers, will allow it to flow inside and enliven us. When my father was alive, he inspired me. As a young child, I remember him telling me I could be anything I wanted to be and I should aspire to be a writer or a singer. Inspiration comes in many forms by listening to the sounds of life. Observing couples at restaurants – how do they react. Listening to the voices of children and what expressions they come up with. Listening, sitting quietly while watching the actions of what is occurring around us.

10. What is your proudest writer moment?

My proudest moment as a writer happened only a few years ago while my father was battling terminal esophageal cancer. He was interviewed for a local TV program and he quoted two lines of poetry he’d written, using his Winston Churchill voice. The announcer was mesmerized by his voice and energy during weakened moments of cancer recovery and he expressed to him, “so, you’re a writer!” My dad looked directly into the camera stating, “No, I’m no writer. My daughter – now she’s the writer!” My phone began ringing as acquaintances contacted me wanting to know what I wrote. Because I was ‘married to the Corporate World’ at that time, I’d missed the interview, so I had no idea what he shared on TV. When I saw the video, my heart melted and I knew if my father believed in me, then I must pursue his belief in me.

11. What’s the best advice you were given about writing?

The best advice I’ve been given is to write from the heart, letting the emotions and power of your words become your voice. Following that advice, I do my best to write from the heart, to educate, inform and inspire others. My dad told me many times to speak and write from the heart so my voice could be heard. I suppose I still follow his words of wisdom.

12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment?

My most embarrassing moment was once when I used an electric typewriter, mailing query letters to producers for screenplays. A letter I sent to a producer in the mid 1980’s was returned to me with a scribbled note stating, “Be careful of typos. [The typo was circled] Mistakes in your writing and in this industry can kill you.” A year later I invested in my first computer!

13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer?

Juggling time and money to make freelance writing a profitable career choice. That is truly a business challenge I struggle with. In this business it is either feast or famine. It has taken a while for me to realize that one person’s rejection is another person’s acceptance. Once I wrote an article for a construction publication only to have it rejected. The editor sent me an e-mail stating he was returning the article because it didn’t meet his needs. The very next day I received a phone call from another editor at the same publication stating he needed an invoice for my article. I inquired as to why. His reply, “I’ve sent your story to press and need to pay you.” I was shocked. When I informed him it was rejected the day before he stated he was the editor effective today and he wanted to publish the story, and he wanted more stories from me. I learned a valuable lesson on that day and always remind myself that when a story is rejected, it could meet the needs of another publication, or another editor.

14. What is your writer life philosophy?

My favorite philosophy as a writer is to live each day as if it is your last and don’t procrastinate. Write every day, and when the muse isn’t moving you, write a personal letter to a friend. Every time I apply this philosophy I find inspiration. Also, I tell other writers to believe in themselves and never allow life to bring them down. It isn’t easy – this life as a writer. We are isolated when we are writing, but we must do our best to allow our words to educate, inspire and inform others. Writing is my life. Words are my breath. Without the combination, I would be lifeless.

15. When you’re not writing what do you do for fun?

What I do for fun is to dance, sing, and work out. I find dancing and exercising energizing for me, and of course, I love to meet my friends for lunch or dinner and have a good time enjoying the sounds of life and laughter. I love spending time with my husband on our boat, docking in the middle of the Charleston harbor and listening to the ripples of the waves as they slap the boat. While cruising on the harbor, I love looking for dolphins and when finding them, my husband and I cut the motor off and watch them. Sometimes I’ll take a journal and write for inspiration but mostly, this is our time to kick back, spend quality time together and listen to the sounds of life’s little pleasures.

16. Who do you like to read?

I love a good mystery that keeps me guessing. Recently I read The Davinci Code, never expecting it to keep me turning the pages. I kept my nose and eyes in the book for less than a week, reading it passionately, amazed at how well it flowed, the story content (it is fiction!) and I found the writing style of Dan Brown truly something to admire. I also enjoy reading John Grisham’s books. I admire his story telling talents and I love how he brings his characters to life on the page. At night, I read non-fiction books on writing, currently reading a book about travel writing. In my spare time I love to read; nevertheless, with deadlines approaching, I find myself with little spare time lately. I must learn the gift of time management!

17. What’s your advice for new writers?

Read with a passion and listen to the sounds of life. Write as if there is no tomorrow and never send anything out without proofreading and editing with your eyes. My rule is to allow a piece to get cold for at least two days before sending it out. Then, I’ll read it once again – aloud, listening carefully to it. When I’m pleased with it – only then, do I send it to the editor, publisher, or my critique group. I encourage new writers to join a writers group – a good group – not one filled with gossip and only a social aspect. My best groups lately are online. If you join a writers group and do not receive the constructive criticism you are looking for, find another group.

18. What are you currently working on?

Currently I’m working on travel guides for a publication and I plan to break into hotel reviews. Since I have an extensive background in hospitality I am most comfortable with the industry. In my spare time, I am working on a narrative non-fiction story titled Chattahoochee Child, a story about life in a textile mill town named Bibb City during the flourishing times when textile mills were a major source of employment and industry for America. It is a story I have much passion about, filled with the bigotry of racial problems, child labor and slavery. As a child, I lived in a mill town, observing the indiscretions of how the workers were treated. Chattahoochee Child is truly a story close to my heart and I am passionate about sharing it, completing it, and seeing it published!

Barbie’s 18Q