Meet Alexander Cooper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexander Cooper.

Hi Alexander, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a writer, my journey started in grade school. I had an early love of language and did well in English. It wasn’t long before I had the drive to write stories like the ones I read.

I am privileged to say that my flame was consistently stoked in various ways; essays, short stories, songs, poetry, and finally screenwriting. I also believe it was profoundly beneficial to receive outside encouragement, but it was never something I required; my passion was fueling enough.

I made a few forays into writing play scripts in high school after discovering a love of theater. From there, that love spread to the film format and has never stopped. The fire is strong and the ideas constantly flow. I have a huge imagination and I realize it through my writing. The challenge I face now is getting my work seen by the right people.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As many of the readers and those featured in this magazine well know, it is a long path devoid of shortcuts. The process does not happen overnight; it grows with the self. There are many falls, cuts, scrapes, and bruises to find what truly resonates within you, as well as finding the voice to present that self to an audience.

I personally have struggled with impostor syndrome, dead ends, fear, uncertainty, and doubt, as well as allowing opportunities to pass me by. But I believe my work would not possess such depth without those lessons. Learning the hard way has built a lot of character for me.

That is not to say that struggling is the best or only way forward; it is just my path and I have found the value in it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in songwriting, poetry, and scriptwriting. I am most proud of my songwriting because I see it as such a great challenge. To be able to craft a compelling, grand image (or a mundane moment) in such a short space is magical to me.

Conversely, I am also most proud of my screenwriting because with that, I can bring longer stories to life and have the freedom to spread my wings a bit further than in a song or poem. It’s like sprinting versus a marathon.

What sets me apart from others is a question I always ask myself. As of now, strive for honesty of voice. Even if I write a sci-fi story, I always desire to find the human element that allows my audience to experience what I feel. I want to bring you into my world for a moment to communicate an idea or emotion and share that space with you.

I try to strike the balance between writing what I know with letting my imagination run wild. Distilling that, perhaps what I am really after is realistic escapism.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I have too many to mention, but as of now, I’d say spending afternoons with my Grandmother. It was always such an adventure, even if we were just going to K Mart. Every time I want comfort, I think of loving hugs, warm car rides, listening to the oldies radio station, and the hope that if I was good enough, I might get some candy or a hot wheel.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@wheresthefrybread
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohpossumcounty
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clouddancer
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/theclouddancer