Intimate Conversation with Charles H. Fuller, Jr.

Charles H. Fuller, Jr.  is the author of A Soldier’s Play and the 1982 recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Best American Play, New York Critics Circle Award, Edgar Allen Poe Award for Mystery Writing and the 1985 Academy Award Nominee for Best Screenplay for the motion picture ‘A Soldier’s Story.’  Mr. Fuller began writing plays in the mid-sixties and soon went on to co-found the Afro-American Arts Theatre in his native Philadelphia.  He is a member of the Writers Guild of America and Board Member of the Dramatists Guild Fund.  He continues to urge his audience to reject old images and stereotypes in order to accept more realistic Black characters.

After a long history in Theatre and Film, Snatch: The Adventures of David and Me in Old New York, is Mr. Fuller’s first venture into the world of children’s books.   Snatch: The Adventures of David & Me in Old New York is Volume 1 of a three volume series of young adult novels.  Charles H. Fuller, Jr. is presently working on AMERICAN STORY a new play commissioned by Cherry Lane Theatre in New York as part of their 2010-2011 season. Read Charles' full biography here.

BPM:  Why did you decide to self-publish SNATCH: The Adventures of David and Me in Old New York?CHF:  I wanted to get the book in the hands of children through the school systems and libraries. We felt that we could do a better job at that than a publishing house.

BPM:  How did you come up with the title, SNATCH?CHF:  The title was always ‘The Adventures of David and Me in Old New York’ but after the story was written my wife and I felt that since a character called Snatch, who kidnapped freemen and caught runaway slaves for money, was at the heart of the story we decided to title the story ‘SNATCH: The Adventures of David and Me in Old New York’

BPM:  What did you hope to accomplish with it, besides just writing a novel for children?CHF:  Firstly, to create a story that young people and people of all ages would enjoy even though it took place in the past. Secondly, exploit the history of the period and describe how black Americans lived, struggled, survived, helped one another and fought against slavery in the north during the era when slavery existed throughout much of the United States.

BPM:  What was your inspiration, as an author, for writing SNATCH? What compelled you to put the story down in tangible form?CHF:  My two sons were my inspiration. I also had the idea that black kids needed to have adventure stories in which they could see themselves as the heroes who have the power to change the world in which they live, if they choose to do so. At the time and since, many of the stories for our children have centered around great men and women whose lives they are asked to emulate. I decided I’d give my sons something that would be fun, inspirational and exciting – something to rival the best adventures in American

storytelling.

BPM:  What is it that makes SNATCH unique? How is it different from the other children’s books on the market?CHF:  Snatch has perils, thrills and uncertainty. It is still a story in which the history, as well as the tale itself is important. It has footnotes to give the reader information about the period in which it takes place. There is a Teacher’s Guide that accompanies the book because we felt very strongly that Teachers would use the story to teach history, language arts, math and social studies in the school system.

BPM:  If  kids could take away one thing from reading SNATCH, what would you hope that would be?CHF:  That it was an enjoyable story that they would encourage all their friends to read and then sit down and talk about, because they had learned something about our history in America they never knew before they read Snatch.

BPM:  How did you get your start in the arts? What motivated you to pursue a career in the theater?CHF:  I decided to become a writer because myself and my best friend Larry Neal found that in the high school we attended, there were no books written by African-Americans in our library.  Of course this was a long time ago, but the impetus was to correct what we felt was a major deficiency in the education we were getting in those days. 

My connection to theatre grew out of a job I had as a Housing Inspector. I worked in a mixed neighborhood -- blacks, Hispanics and whites -- largely poor people and I wrote sketches (short plays) that called on locals to lock their doors, watch their kids -- simple things that I felt could improve the neighborhood -- a woman came into the area and asked me to try to write a play that could be entered with a group of plays that McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey was considering for its 1968 season. I wrote 'The Village, A Party' they liked it, and that began my connection to the theatre.

BPM:  What do you like most about your profession?CHF:  I like the immediacy of a play in the theatre. It goes up, you know right away if it is working or not -- if it isn't you know immediately -- the audience tells you. If it does, that same audience applauds – what can be faster than that?

BPM:  What is your biggest challenge in business? How did you overcome it?CHF:  My biggest challenge was one felt collectively by the playwrights I grew up with in the theatre -- Ed Bullins, Richard Wesley, Aisha Rahman, Samm Art Williams, Amiri Baraka, Alice Childress, Ron Milner, Leslie Lee, Joe Walker, Lonnie Elder -- we all were trying to break through the racial barriers of the times and force our voices and  'who-we-are' onto the canvas that was America at the time.  We overcame the challenge that a deaf and largely blind country presented by persevering -- pushing until the nation stopped, saw and listened.

BPM:  You co-founded the Afro-American Arts Theater in Philadelphia in the 1960s.  Do you feel that with musicals such as FELA! and Broadway plays such as Fences, RACE, The Color Purple, and the revival of Raisin in the Sun is indicative of a movement on Broadway to tell more stories related to the black experience?CHF:  FELA! and RACE are new, but Fences, Raisin In The Sun, and The Color Purple have been with us for awhile, and I believe harkens back to another time.  Lynn Nottage's 'Ruined' is what's new. Katori Hall's 'Voodoo Love' is new. Susan Lori Parks, 'Book of Grace' is new. Tarell Alvin McCraney's 'The Brother/Sister Plays' is new. Branden Jacobs Jenkins, 'Neighbors' is new. And I believe their emergence and staying power should be supported. I don't believe there is any new desire on the part of theatre to showcase more blacks -- this moment can disappear as quickly as it arrived. WE need to support our playwrights with the same enthusiasm WE support our hip-hop artists -- or develop a desire among OUR young people to tell our stories on stage.

BPM:  You recently decided to publish your first young adult historical novel, SNATCH: The Adventures of David and Me in Old New York. This is a departure from the stage.  What brought about this decision and how have you found the book publishing world to differ from the theater?CHF:  I promised my two sons Charles, III and David Ira Fuller when they were 11 and 8, and I was living between New York and Philadelphia, that I would write a history story in which they would be the heroes. In the process, I wanted to describe the life of African-Americans in the North before the end of slavery.

I did the research, wrote the outline and -- (cut) -- my life as a playwright began, and I didn't get to it for more than forty years. But I had made a promise and I intended to keep it -- so, I did just that and they got their story at ages 45 and 42.  Their response was, 'It's about time!' The book publishing business is very hard and requires a lot of hard work.  I can honestly say, the reason I am doing it myself is that everyone I spoke to before doing it, said it couldn't be done. And there is a chance that they may be right -- but 'fail' is not an English word I ever understood.

BPM:   You are the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize for your play, A Soldier’s Story, which is obviously a major accomplishment and honor. What advice would you give someone just starting out as a playwright or author?CHF:  Read a lot, write a lot and persevere.  Human life is built around stories we tell each other about ourselves -- we never tire of it, so there is always something to write about and there will always be an audience for whatever it is as long as it’s about us. We are nothing if not narcissistic.

BPM:  What message do you hope readers will take away from SNATCH?CHF:  I hope whoever reads it enjoys the adventure and delights in the way it’s told. Also I hope that people will begin to understand that the world of 'freemen and women' in the North before the end of slavery was no bed of roses.  Despite our difficulties, we always cherished one another, helped one another and whenever there was a chance we could disrupt those who were out to harm us, we did everything in our power to do so -- from child to adult.  Finally, I hope young people will learn that they have the power to act on behalf of us all -- to save a life -- to save a community with just the power of their determination.

BPM:  What are three things all leaders possess?CHF:  I can't imagine three things all leaders possess -- one thing I think they possess is the power to convince us that following them will lead us to a state -- real or imagined -- that is better than the one in which we exist when they arrive. They can't suggest that we can get to that better place on our own -- the term leader always implies followers.

BPM:   How do you feel that your work has impacted people?CHF:  I'm not sure how it’s impacted my audiences. I've always tried to make sure we defined ourselves and not be lazy enough to believe that someone else can do it for us -- or to do it better than we can, or that whatever the stereotype is, it's not even close to who we really are. Our humanity is largely overlooked whenever we're examined by others. I hope my work has helped to change some of  that.

Visit the official website of SNATCH to learn more about Charles H. Fuller, Jr.:   http://www.davidandmeinnyc.com/home.html

 

DAVID AND ME PUBLISHING INC.P.O. Box 30443

Philadelphia, PA – 19103

http://www.davidandmeinnyc.com/

Email: dandmepublishing@aol.com

For interviews with Charles H. Fuller, Jr. or to request a review copy of  SNATCH: The Adventures of David and Me in Old New York,  please contact Dawn Roberts at  215.704.2615  or  Dawn@KDComm.com

New Inspirational Read for Young Girls: No Longer Daddy's Little Girl

Born in Memphis, TN, Aarica Jihan Blackett is a visual artist and the author of the book No Longer Daddy’s Little Girl.  The inspiration for writing No Longer Daddy’s Little Girl came to her while in the middle of rebuilding her relationship with her father while in college. She wanted to share her experience and lessons learned to other young girls who were going through similar experiences of growing up without a father. Aarica is also the founder and artist of her company Art Pieces of a Dream, which is the company that encompasses all of her visual artistic products.

Aarica earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a minor in French from Spelman College in 2008. She is an active Big Sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization of Atlanta, and she is a board member of the Express Yourself School of the Arts organization. 

Visit the author at her website for more information: http://www.nolongerdaddyslittlegirl.com/.  To contact the author, please email her at aarica.blackett@gmail.com


The new book, No Longer Daddy’s Little Girl, gives young girls who are growing up without a father in the household a new sense of perspective and responsibility for their own future.

In 2008, 51% of African-American households in the United States were fatherless. The odds are stacked against children in single mother households from the onset.  Children raised in these homes are:

• 63% more likely to commit suicide than their dual parent counterparts
• 71% more likely to drop out of high school than their dual parent counterparts
• 111% more likely to become pregnant as a teenager than their dual parent counterparts
• 164% more likely to be a single parent than their dual parent counterparts

 Is this the only future that fatherless daughters have to strive for?
This book, No Longer Daddy’s Little Girl, will encourage young girls to take responsibility for their future by respecting themselves, their bodies, and their family. With the growing number of fatherless African-American households in the United States the author, Aarica J. Blackett, sees it as her responsibility to reach out and help where possible.

 This book has three attributes that will make readers take notice:
 • written for young girls by a young woman
• shares the experiences of other young women in this situation
• reads like a conversation as opposed to a dissertation so that the intended audience can readily digest the information

The author’s father abandoned her and her brother for six years while he tended to the needs of his new wife and new son. No Longer Daddy’s Little Girl is the author’s opportunity to share the diverse lessons she has learned.  These lessons touch everything from forming healthy relationships with men to managing her emotions when her father made his reappearance. The combined experiences of the author and other young college women will empower all young readers to love themselves and triumph through adversity.
 

The book No Longer Daddy’s Little Girl is available for purchase on the book’s website, http://www.nolongerdaddyslittlegirl.com/.

BPM:  Who are your mentors? Where do you find your inspiration?
A:: I have been blessed to have a great number of mentors in my life. My mentors usually are strong individuals who have creative mindsets. I love to see people make their passion their purpose in life to help others. My inspiration from this book truly came from my grandparents. They taught me the importance of forgiveness and the impact that it will have on one’s life.

BPM:   A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time. Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers...
A:: …that you are certainly not alone in this world. Everyone has a story to tell and everyone is looking to hear someone’s story. Share your experiences with others in order to help them in their situation.


BPM:  What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write your book?
A:: After being fed up with being caught in the middle of trying to convince my mother of my loyalty to her and attempting to rebuild a relationship with my father, emotions just came out of me from every point of my body. As tears were rushing down my face and anger filled my veins, I started writing down everything that I was feeling. Every thought, every tear, every scream, every pain was written down in my journal that night. The next day, I returned to my journal in order to comprehend the thoughts that were running on my head. As I was reading, I realized that I had a story to tell. Too many young girls go through this, and no one is there to tell their story from one young girl to another.


BPM:  Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?A:: I want young girls in any and all situations to know that despite the negative statistics that face you, you have the strength inside you to fight it. Be the exception to the statistic! In addition to that, forgiveness is a very important lesson with this book. It is important to forgive people in life because it provides closure and builds your character. It takes too much energy to hold a grudge against someone, especially when you can forgive and move on.


BPM:  What do you think makes your book different from others on the same subject?
A:: This book has a very unique take on this prevalent topic of daughters growing up without fathers. This book has three attributes that will make readers stand up and take notice:
 · written for young girls by a young woman (written at the age of 20 years old)
· shares the experiences of other young women in this situation
· reads like a conversation as opposed to a dissertation so that the intended audience can readily digest the information


BPM:  The cover of the book is very bright and different. Where did you ever find this image?
A:: Well besides writing, I am also a visual artist. I paint positive images of African American women. The cover art was inspired by the art work of Picasso. I wanted to convey the feeling of change over time, as well multiple emotions being captured within one person. To see some other pieces of my artwork, visit my website at http://www.artpiecesofadream.com/.


BPM:  How can our readers reach you online?
A:: The book is available for purchase on the book’s website, http://www.nolongerdaddyslittlegirl.com/, as well as on Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com. Readers can email me at Aarica.blackett@gmail.com.
 
Contact Info:
Aarica J. BlackettEmail: aarica.blackett@gmail.com
Book Website: http://www.nolongerdaddyslittlegirl.com/
Art Website: http://www.artpiecesofadream.com/

No Longer Daddy's Little Girl, Authorhttp://www.nolongerdaddyslittlegirl.com/

Blackface by Q. B. Wells
Travel with Black and experience Blackface!

To protect his mother, teenager Demitris Zachery a.k.a Black must runaway from his home. Forced to mingle with the worst elements and conditions of urban life, he meets Face, Penny and Zero-together they fend for the American Dream. Inevitably, experience provokes Black to observe his friends, his lifestyle and his own aspirations. In his journey of self-discovery, Black must learn how to survive on the streets of Chicago, alter his life decisions or perish in the confusion of life.  Evocative, elegantly crafted and fast paced, Blackface challenges the reader and promises to be one an engaging read.

Read the full excerpt here:http://www.freado.com/read/6568/blackface-a-novel



Excerpt/Chapter One: Blackface

Black slouched his face in the bathroom sink and listened to the water drip down his earlobes as he waited for the rust to clear from the faucet. You ain’t never been nothing in the past and you won’t be nothing in the future; no good nigger, the thoughts from his mother reverberated through his mind.

Black threw his navy book bag against the rear of the tub and sat on the lid of the toilet, staring at the sink until the water overflowed and dampened his school supplies-I shouldn’t even go to school.

He stared into the mirror, picked up a bridle pad. Pouring a few drops of Palmolive, he wiped his face fierce, as if scrubbing a stain from the carpet. White suds foamed atop his fat forehead and his eyes burned, he closed them to splash water over his face. Black dreamed of lighter colored eyes, smoother light skin on his face, but nothing had changed in his physical appearance.

Reaching beneath the sink, Black grabbed a luffa, splashed bleach onto the surface and scrubbed his cheeks. His dark neck and broad shoulders heated as his eyes tiered from the fumes. Forced to rinse his face, he looked at the discoloration he caused, the skinny scars from the busted pimples of a grotesque face. He brushed his fingertips over his bumpy skin as if reading brail. The filthy black skin stenched and he resembled a homeless man. The red bone kids that have golden skin complexions all look better he thought. He grabbed the top of his head, just look at this nappy hair. It hasn’t been cut in weeks and everybody at school is going to heat me up, talking bought what I already know, I look like a big black guerilla.

No matter what, he couldn’t scrub off the part of himself that he hated the most. And he did hate his irritating black face, like an itch that he couldn’t reach in the middle of his back. But, like an itch in the middle of his back, if he could get to it- He’d scratch that itch, then scratch and re-scratch some more, until the itch ignited into a flaming sensation. Like mercury mixing in his bloodstream blood would bleed down the middle of his back. That would feel good Black thought as he spotted a book of matches.

Could the tar black skin burn off? "Clinton Ray," Ms. Dean, yelled, "You been in that bathroom too long, you better be ready for school." "I’m not going to school today." "Why not, do you feel sick or something?" "No." "Well then nigger, if you not sick, you better take your tail to that school." "I can’t go. I have knots in my hair and they going talk about me, just look at it." "So what, haven’t I told you that you go to school to learn?" "Yes." "Well then, why you worried about what they think about your hair?" "I don’t know. I just am." "Well boy, I don’t have any money to get you a haircut this week. You’ll get one next week."

Black opened the bathroom door prepared for school. His Chicago Bulls t-shirt reeked of bleach; his hair in thick knots, his face bumpy, and the backpack still damp as if caught in a morning shower. Staring at his mother in her robe, Black pleaded.

"They still gone say my shoes is talking, my pants is flooding and that I can’t buy a belt." Raising her hand, "Clinton Ray, if you don’t get out this house and go to school…"

"If I go, I’m just going to end up smashing one of them in the face for talking about me." Clinton walked toward the door and waited. "You just want to be a no good nigger. Let one of them school people call me and make me take off work today to come get you. I’m going to smash you in your face way harder than one of them little school boys."

 "I’ll hit them back." The room doubled as Ms. Dean backslapped Black’s face and he regained single vision. "I do not want to hear another word." Without another word, Black slammed the door and ran down the apartment stairs, weeping all the way to school. As he walked to the street he daydreamed of the past recalled illustrations of his mothers love.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.


Blackface by BPM:  B. Wells  is NOW available!http://www.artofficialmedia.com/urban-media-store.html


Author Biography
Q.B. Wells is the author of Blackface and Doughboy. Currently he is the editor of http://www.urbaniamag.com/ and the C.E.O of Art Official Media LLC. He resides in Baltimore where he enjoys meeting readers, teaching writing courses and spending time with family.

To contact BPM:  B. Wells for an interview, event or book signing @ qbwells@artofficialmedia.com.
Stay connected with the latest information on publishing, book marketing and writing @ www.twitter.com/qbwells  Stay in touch with Q.B. Wells and interact as he talks about books, publishing and life.