 Robert Fleming, Author of The African American Writer's Hand-book
Carole: What's your name?
Robert: Robert Fleming
Carole: How do you think of yourself in connection to your community? How does community affect your writing?
Robert: I think I have some responsibility to the community, politically, morally, and even literary. That has always informed my work. The community has always nourished me. It has sustained me through rough times.
Carole: Who has been your writing influence?
Robert: Too numerous to mention. I have worked through many influences to get my style. It's like a jazz trumpeter, who has toiled through several apprenticeships to get where he is.
Carole: What are your working habits?
Robert: Write and read in the am, before noon. Walk about. In the evening, I read over what I wrote and make adjustments.
Carole: Was it important to do the AA handbook?
Robert: At the time, there was nothing out there like that. It was the first. I wanted to write a writers' handbook pertaining to black writers. I wanted to give crucial information, data about writers, agents, publishers, as well as some of the history of the black writers past. I had fun researching some of the old school writers, but you know I found out that some of the struggles and challenges were shared by us. The fact that the thin line between commercial and trash was perplexing to them ... that was interesting. Langston, Zora, James Weldon Johnson, even Frank Yerby fought with that question.
Carole: What has been the reception of the writers and the stores?
Robert: Even when the AA handbook came out, the stores didn't know what to do with it. They did not know how to promote the book. I did everything I could to bolster it but it did only light sales. It's funny. In recent years, now the book has found a market and sales have picked up.
Carole: Has the book kept pace with the writers and the current market?
Robert: I don't know. The book was not designed to predict trends or fads. The publishing industry is very fickle. It goes through turns and twists. And that's ok. The busy writer has to find a style, a voice, and his own audience. If he does that, then he's ok and if he doesn't, then he should take up plumbing or bus driving.
Carole: Are you proud of the book?
Robert: Oh yes, I'm very proud. I think it served a purpose and still does. I know it's quite an impressive achievement. It has facts and solutions that still stand the test of time.
Carole: Will you be updating the book?
Robert: I don't know. I would love to do that but the publishing house is owned by another crew. The Europeans. Also, the book didn't have the numbers that would justify a tune-up. But still, I would love to update the book with new facts, new writers, and personalities.
Carole: What is the name of your latest work, and what is the story about? What is the theme?
Robert: I'm in the process of writing a Cole Riley novel, Guilty As Sin. It's about a house jacking where five convicts invade a home and take the family prisoner. It's about the nature of evil.
Carole: Why did you choose this particular genre?
Robert: Maybe because I was a crime reporter for a New York newspaper. I've always had a fascination with crime, evildoers, and redemption. And justice and all it involves.
Carole: How did the inspiration for this book come to you?
Robert: From the stories and experiences I've had in this city.
Carole: Why do you love your main character?
Robert: I hate him and all he conjures up.
Carole: What societal or emotional issues are working against your characters?
Robert: Poverty, sexism, racism, intolerance, sadism, and evil.
Carole: Does your book have a villain?
Robert: He embodies the Antichrist. He destroys everything he touches.
Carole: Are you very political?
Robert: I reckon so.
Carole: How does your spirituality affect your work?
Robert: I know right from wrong. I know the gray areas. I try to explore those frontiers.
Carole: How long did it take you to finish this book? What spiritual journeys did you have to work through in order to finish it?
Robert: It's taken me about six months. It's made me confront evil. This is the sixth Cole Riley novel I've written. But I've never gone over the top like this. It's fun yet scary.
Carole: What do you think is the power of art in our society? Does art have any drawbacks for your personally or in society?
Robert: Art is a sideshow. Politics is the main course. Even culture has taken second place. There is a tyranny of religion and it is affecting everything. It's intolerant, narrow, all-powerful, and a cousin of evil. Artists are almost freaks. They really don't matter anymore because there are so many diversions.
Carole: What would you tell other writers or artists out there?
Robert: Keep your head down and work. Work like your life depends on it. Write, paint, play music, or art like it is breath itself. We don't have time to waste.
Carole: Where do you see yourself in the framework of modern writers?
Robert: I guess I have made a slight difference. I really can't see myself in the fog of this modern, hyped-up world.
Carole: Have you had any reader feedback about your book? What have the critics said about it? Is there anything that has surprised you about the audience for your book?
Robert: My new book, Fever in the Blood, is just coming out. And criticism has been good so far. Since my stroke two years ago, I've written four books. Some good, some so-so. I'm working away. I want to be a better writer.
Carole: God Bless you in your endeavours, Robert and thanks so much for writing the book.
(c) 2006 by Carole McDonnell
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