SJF: How did you discover SDMWA?
JCC: I found out about San Diego Writers, Ink (SDWI) while taking a Memoir Workshop put on by the San Diego Public Library. The workshop, led by Marni Freedman, happened to be one of the modules from Marni’s Certificate program. I was encouraged to come to an open house and it rocked my world. That led me to joining the San Diego Memoir Writers Association, during Fall, 2016.
SJF: Tell us about your experience in the 3rd San Diego Memoir Showcase, and how your memoir piece was featured in Volume 1 of “Shaking The Tree: brazen. short. memoir.” (STT) and now you have a piece in the upcoming STT Volume 2.
JCC: After completing a couple of the certificate program workshops, with Marni’s encouragement and help, I entered the 2017 Memoir Showcase and thanks to my writing coach, Tracy Jones, was chosen as one of the writers to be read that year. It was an extremely humbling experience and a great honor to have been chosen to share the stage with an awesome group of writers and actors. My entry for Volume 2, is another part of the overall upcoming book, “Harlem In Havana, Sex, Sin & Sawdust.”
SJF: Share some information about your memoir, including highlights/memories of your growing up in and living the carnival life.
JCC: I was born into the traveling carnival world of the Royal American Shows, considered the largest in the business from the mid-1930s through the late 1990s. When I wasn’t in school, from 1941 to 1949, I would travel with them. During the summer of 1958, my senior year in high school, I got a chance to go on the road with them one last time. My memoir is about that summer and about growing up on the show during the early years.
SJF: How does your life as a musician influence your writing? What musical bands/groups do you perform with presently?
JCC: Being the offspring of entertainers and continually being thrust into an on-stage kind of scenario for most of my working adult life, has made it an easy transition. I am currently playing with the American Flyboys Band, a 16-piece swing and jazz band, the Latin Magic Quartet and a Gypsy Jazz band called, The Zinchiladas.
SJF: Describe how writing has led to your finding your way to self-help and inspiring others.
JCC: You’ll have to ask me that question after I’ve completed my book.
SJF: Please tell us about taking Marni’s Memoir Certificate Class at SDWI and what you got out of the experience.
JCC: Since writing was not on my list of career titles, I had no serious interest in writing a memoir. Questions from some of my Grandkids about where and how I grew up, caused a need for me to get serious about doing a research project. This turned into someone asking if I had considered writing a memoir. I tried taking classes through San Diego Community College’s, Continuing Education program and got nowhere. Then in 2017, I participated in a Memoir Workshop put on by the San Diego Public Library that was led by Marni. With her encouragement, I signed up for the certificate program. Being a part of the San Diego Writers Ink family and SDMWA has become an awesome and motivating experience for me.
SJF: What are you currently working on?
JCC: With the help of my youngest daughter, most of my research on my memoir is done. We’ve conducted interviews and gathered historic photographs in conjunction with a video documentary project she is working on, which by the way is also titled, Harlem In Havana. Where hers involves her Grandfather, the entrepreneur and the musical side of the Show, mine speaks to the dark side of the Midway and my walk through the sawdust.
SJF: What are some of your favorite memoirs (or movies based on memoirs)?
JCC: Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah and Becoming, by Michelle Obama
SJF: Any advice for new writers?
JCC: Unless you have a Bachelors in English literature, photographic memory and a whole lot of time on your hands, writing can be frustrating at times. That being said – just write, don’t worry about spelling or punctuations, leave the editing until later. If you fear what the family will think about what you might write about? Remember, it’s your story, your truth. Invite them to contribute to your research, but don’t let their fear, hate or shame become yours. Memoir writing can be rewarding and healing for both you and your readers, so write.
SJF: Where can we find your blog/website?
JCC: I’m still in the process of creating a blog
SJF: Many thanks, John!
Learn more about John C. Cunningham
Visit his facebook page
Learn more about Susan J. Farese