"The Book Binder"

It wasn't until the end of my high school career that I decided I really liked to read. One day the proverbial light bulb went off in my head and I recognized the influence of such writers as Ernest K Gann, Lloyd C Douglas, James Michener and Stephen King. Now there is a mottled group.

Gann (THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY) took me on incredible aviation adventures while fueling my fear of flying. Douglas (THE ROBE) made me feel emotional over things in the past. James Michener (HAWAII) showed me a story could have links down through the years. Stephen King (CARRIE) scared me silly while still making me want more of the same.

All of these writers touched me in some way and made me want to read more. When I eventually picked up THE LORDS OF DISCIPLINE by Pat Conroy, I became a dedicated reader who always had a book on hand. He, more than any other author, let me know how powerful words could be. He also created a need in me to put my thoughts down on paper.

It was after I married that I started keeping a journal of my thought, as well as putting some of my family stories down on paper. These "journals" led to the collection of stories that are continued in my first book JOURNEY OF A GENTLE SOUTHERN MAN. The second collection CHANCES AND CHOICES came out a couple of years later. Now my third collection HALFWAY HOME will be released in the spring of 2005.

Even with two books out and a third one on the way, I never really felt like a writer. It was just something I did for fun and my own enjoyment. But lately a couple of incidents have really hit me in the face.

A few days ago a woman came up to me and started talking. She said a friend of hers had loaned her my first book, JOURNEY OF A GENTLE SOUTHERN MAN. She said on Sunday afternoon her husband had gone to play golf so she picked up my book and started reading. For the next three hours or so she said she laughed, she cried, and then she laughed some more.

What was even more amazing was the fact she could name characters in the stories, or even point out certain lines that affected her. I was amazed and overwhelmed - and appreciative. She thanked me and thanked me, and told me how she planned to get CHANCES AND CHOICES and read it through also.

The second incident occurred when I was signing books at the Mulberry Street Arts and Crafts Festival. This is an annual event which is part of the Macon, Georgia "Cherry Blossom Festival." I had a booth with Rick Maier (BONE DUST) and Jackie White (DISTANT HEARTS).

A lady came into the booth and asked if I had a new book out this year. I told her about HALFWAY HOME coming out next spring. She then proceeded to tell me that her husband had died a few weeks ago. The last gift he had given her was a copy of my book JOURNEY OF A GENTLE SOUTHERN MAN. He was that, she said, a gentle, southern man.

She thanked me for writing the book and said she would treasure it forever because it was the last gift from him, and that it so stood for who and what he was. I was humbled by her words.

It is finally dawning on me that "maybe" I can write things that touch and affect people. That is a big MAYBE but I am inspired to try to be even better. I don't think I will ever be another Pat Conroy, but maybe just being the first Jackie K Cooper is enough.

Words and books bind us together in a unique way. The reader and the writer become part of each other's worlds. Who could ever want more than that!

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

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