Lecture Notes: Interview with Charmaine Wilkerson

Overview

• Interviewee: Charmaine Wilkerson
• Book Discussed: Black Cake
• Recognition: Book of the Month selection, Jenna Today Show, Book Reporter Bets On selection.

Book Summary: Black Cake

• Plot: Multi-generational story shifting between past and present.
• Main Characters: Byron and Benny – siblings with a strained relationship.
• Inciting Incident: Their mother's death reveals a hidden past.
• Unique Element: The inheritance of a black cake and a USB drive with a lengthy recording.
• Themes:
  • Family secrets and identity.
  • The power of untold stories.
  • Brother-sister dynamics.

Character Development

• Byron and Benny: Characterized by estrangement yet deep familial ties.
• Eleanor (Mother): Her story reveals family secrets, influencing the siblings’ self-perception.
• Original Concept: Started with the idea of two strong female friends, later evolved into brother and sister dynamics.

Writing Process

• Approach: Wilkerson writes in scenes and follows emotions, akin to stream of consciousness.
• Character Revelation: Characters and stories developed organically.
• Swimmers: Inspiration from her parents' Caribbean background and her own marathon running.

Storytelling Techniques

• Narrative Device: Use of recordings as a storytelling instrument.
• Flash Fiction Influence: Short, intense scenes that focus on emotion and ideas.
• Chapter Titles: Each chapter starts with a name or word introducing new elements or characters.

Themes and Motifs

• Identity and Perception: Exploration of self-identity versus external perception.
• Power of Stories: How stories shape identity and relationships.
• Cultural and Personal Background: Influence of Wilkerson's diverse living experiences on her writing.

Black Cake and Cultural Significance

• Symbolism: Black cake as a metaphor for heritage and untold stories.
• Personal Connection: Wilkerson's familial tradition of black cake making.
• Recipe Sharing: Discussion of the lengthy process involved in making a traditional black cake.

Writing Style and Challenges

• Flash Fiction: Wilkerson’s experience with flash fiction contributed to her concise storytelling.
• Structure: Initially, the novel was more fragmented, and editing helped structure the narrative.

Future Projects

• Current Focus: Working on other writing projects, planning future books.
• Reading: Catching up on books from previous years.

Adaptation

• Hulu Series: Black Cake in development as a Hulu Original Series.
• Involvement: Wilkerson will have creative input, but the project is led by experienced filmmakers.

Closing Remarks

• Personal Reflection: Wilkerson’s writing reflects exploration of identity and familial relationships.
• Audience Engagement: Encouragement to engage with the book, acknowledging individual reading experiences.