JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Angelia Vernon Menchan, author of Zen Cooper: Grown Woman
(Honorable MENCHAN Media)
Zen Cooper has been gone from Center City for over three years. At age twenty, she has earned a degree from Howard University and plans to go home for a short stay before returning to Howard to become an assistant.
But there are Zen’s plans, and then there is life…
Her father Charlie has been away in Africa for three years, seeking wellness and her mother is still mired down in fear and a lack of confidence in who she is. Her grandmother, Willie Mae is determined to control what goes on around her, while unable to control herself.
More interesting is the new dancer who has shown up in town with plans of his own, that might include Zen, especially since Zen Cooper is a “grown woman” now.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “Zen Cooper: Grown Woman”?
Angelia Vernon Menchan: Zen was inspired, in many ways, by the girl I was – growing up in a less than stellar neighborhood and being known as a brainy, odd girl with very strong opinions.
More than that, I was inspired by the savvy, beautiful young sisters I know, including but not limited to my niece Charlie. The “Zens” of the world are amazing in what they overcome, and I love writing about that.
JP: What sets “Zen Cooper: Grown Woman” apart from other books in the same genre?
AVM: Zen Cooper isn’t afraid to tackle issues such as mental illness and colorism, which are often unspoken issues in the African American community. We whisper about it without dealing with it. Not only that, Zen is not caught up in where she is from because she knows where she can go.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to “Zen Cooper: Grown Woman” getting out to the public?
AVM: I am an avid marketer, and I treat my readers like family and friends. As such, they get the word out. I am also willing to place a free book in the hand of anyone who hasn’t read an Angelia Vernon Menchan book. If they love, it that translates to support.
I am confident that once some readers read my work they will read more and tell others about it. Every book is not for every reader. I focus on those who are interested.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish “Zen Cooper: Grown Woman”?
AVM: I write often. A forty-thousand word novel usually takes me about a month or two before the rewriting starts. I write fast, furiously and often. I waited until later in life to publish, so the stories are there waiting their turn!
JP: What’s next for Angelia Vernon Menchan?
AVM: “Zen Cooper: Grown Woman” is actually part two of a book I wrote almost three years ago, “Zen Cooper: Woman-Child: Ghetto Genius”. I am working on part three, “The Zen Life”.
I am also penning a mini-memoir, “How Being Broken Saved Me” coming January 19, 2014.
http://howbeingbrokensavedme.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/angelmenchan
http://www.facebook.com/Honorablemenchan
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angelia-Vernon-Menchan/423565004389778
“Thanks as always for talking to me. And to writers, I say WRITE ON!” ~ Angelia Vernon Menchan
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Okay Joey, you finally have someone that I already have a book shelf full of books and know she is a great author, I will be honest have not read all her books, because she has so many, but all the ones I have, are great and I will add this to my collection, I need to check my books and see which ones I do not have an add those on kindle, because most of the books I have by Angelia Menchan are paperbacks.
LOL! Finally! Yes, Angelia is very down-to-earth and very, very prolific. All of those books has to have something for almost any type of reader. To her continued success!
Thanks Joyce and Joey. I appreciate you both.