A Hidden Gem: Dael Orlandersmith

I just finished reading a great American play entitled, Yellowman (2002), which is written by actress/writer Dael Orlandersmith. The play was nominated for the 2002 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, which was the same year that Suzan-Lori Parks became the first African-American woman to win a Pulitzer Prize in Drama for Topdog/Underdog (2001). Before picking up the book at the library, I had never of Orlandersmith. Ever. I was browsing through the book aisle and saw a thin yellow spine that read, "Yellowman." Interesting title, I thought. Then, I became even more interested when I saw the photograph of  the playwright: a Black woman sporting braids. I find myself being drawn to Black female writers because I feel they understand me. It's like, finally, I see myself on those pages...but I digress. I first picked up Yellowman in 2008. Interestingly, I didn't read the play when I first checked it out from the library (I have that habit; I checkout a bunch of books, and read only a few). Last month, I checked out the book again. This time I read it, and I loved it. It was a fast read. It almost went too fast, but I enjoyed reading every bit of it. I love the language in Orlandersmith's play--it's poetic and lyrical. I could feel the heat of South Carolina. I could feel the humidity cloak my body and the dust fall on my skin like rain drops. Orlandersmith's writing and content reminds me of Alice Walker. The richness. The beauty. The womanness. It's so awesome when you discover a  writer that interests you and pulls you in. It's like meeting someone who captivates you. You're under his spell. Finding a writer that intellectually stimulates you is like finding a needle in a haystack: hard! Because I liked Yellowman so much, I am now reading Beauty's Daughter; Monster; The Gimmick: Three Plays (2002). Hopefully, those plays are as good as Yellowman. I'll let you know if I liked them. By the way, are there any writers that you have discovered recently?

Say It Ain't So, Tin House!

Darn, another rejection and dreams of stardom are flushed down the toilet, once again. The blow came in an e-mail with the words, "Your submission to Tin House," in the subject line. Uh-oh, I thought. About three weeks earlier, I had received an email confirming that my submission was received, and for the last couple of weeks I was daydreaming about seeing my poem published in the crisp pages of Tin House...and then my whole life would change. I would be discovered by a New York literary agent and then I would have a book deal and BAM I'm a household name! Please note: I am being extremely sarcastic and completely delusional. But when I saw that email from Tin House, I knew the deal...defeat...another one bites the dust. Usually, when you receive a response too soon, especially when it comes from a literary publication, it's not a good sign. So, I braced myself for the inevitable and opened the email. Yep, it's what I expected. One of those impersonal rejection letters. Or should I say note of brevity where you are a nameless soul:

Dear Writer,
Thank you for your submission to Tin House. Unfortunately, we must pass at this time. Best of luck placing your work elsewhere.

Sincerely,
Tin House Editors
2010-06-03 13:25:39 (GMT -7:00)

As a result of my Tin House rejection, I'm thinking about submitting my work to another publication, preferably Callaloo, but I'm not sure. I know everyone says that a writer should simultaneously submit their work to various publications, but I never do that, which is not the most efficient route to become published. I have to understand that just because a literary magazine passes on my work, it doesn't necessarily mean that my work is crap. It might mean that my style of writing or content is not "suitable" to the publication's aesthetic. Or at least that is what I have to tell myself. I know that ZZ Packer, author of Drinking Coffee Elsewhere (2004), mentioned that she had submitted a number of stories to The New Yorker before her story, "Drinking Coffee Elsewhere," made its debut in 2000. So, I got to keep writing and keep hope alive. If your work has been rejected, please don't feel discouraged. In fact, give a shout out to the publication that rejected your work. Don't be mad--you're just earning your writer's stripes.

Dreams of a Doubtful Writer

I am asking myself the hard question, "How do I plan to jump start my writing career?" And to be honest, I don't have a writing career, yet. I'm still a struggling writer that no one has heard of except friends, family, and classmates. I don't even know if I have enough credentials to call myself a writer, but I am one (I've been one ever since I was in elementary school). I dream of penning a book that becomes a best-seller. I want to earn tons of money and travel the world promoting my book. I want to be interviewed by the best journalists and have my photograph donning the front cover of Poets & Writers. At least, that is what I want, but will it happen? Right now, I'd be satisfied with having one of my works be published in a major literary magazine, but I don't know if this is achievable. Right now, I know that I need to write more, but I feel blocked. Like the blank page is a challenge. A test. And I don't want to fail. To put it bluntly, I'm a very practical person, and sometimes the idea of being a fiction writer seems too lofty. To write a well-written piece of work takes a lot of time and effort. And in spite of your hard work, there are no guarantees, and it is this realization that is preventing me to write. For example, I really want to turn in a manuscript to The New Yorker, but there is a huge part of me that feels it is a waste of my time, but we never know unless we try, right?

Discovering your Writer Self

Attending the right graduate program can alter your life and writing style. Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part, but I think grad school gives you a wide range of skills. After reading a post entitled, "it feels like changing fortune," by fellow classmate Dave Kiefer, I agree with him when he writes how attending the University of Baltimore has significantly improved his writing. Before attending UB, I never wrote my stories by hand--I wrote every story directly into the computer. As a novice, I thought it was bad if you didn't know what your story was about before writing it. However, as I began to study the writing habits of writers that I admire such as Toni Morrison, I learned that many of them write their stories on a piece of paper or pad. At UB, I learned that writing is a process and an exciting journey. Discovering the story is the best part of writing. I used to think it was crazy when I heard writers tell journalists, "The story just came to me." But I can honestly say, this is true. A writer shouldn't cocooned himself in his dank, lonely writing den because the best material comes from the outside world. I find myself incorporating conversations I overheard and things I saw on TV into my writing. Writing is cultural; so why not embed society, media, and real life into your writing? With writing we are creating worlds, and those worlds should somewhat resemble "real" life. Not just fictional life.

A Writer's Tweets

It was so funny. It just hit me today--you need to use your Twitter account. I'll admit I wasn't a huge fan of the new social media. I thought it was silly and a waste of time. However, after taking my electronic publishing class at the University of Baltimore, I found out that utilizing social media is a great way to market yourself as a writer. As mentioned in a previous post entitled, "It's all about Twitter, folks!," two classmates and I did a group presentation on Twitter. From the research, I learned that many celebrities and companies have Twitter accounts including Oprah, The New York Times--everyone! With Twitter, you can tweet about upcoming events. You can insert links into your tweets so people can view articles and/or blog posts. Also, create hash tags so people can find your tweets using keywords. So, here is my Twitter account: http://twitter.com/mbanks6. Also, for all you Tweeters, have you found Twitter useful? Let me know. Also, you can post a link to your Twitter account!

A New Chapter...

Yesterday night, I attended the University of Baltimore's MFA Creative Writing & Publishing Arts Book Celebration. For that night, graduating students from the program showcased their books that they designed and printed (some made theirs by hand). The books looked great. The prices ranged from $5-$30. I purchased Adam Robinson's poetry collection entitled, Say, Poem. Students also read excerpts from their books which ranged from poetry, novel excerpts, novellas, short stories, to memoir. As I was watching my fellow classmates give their final readings as grad students, I thought about how in one year, it will be my turn. I will stand in front of my peers, colleagues, family, and friends, and share my child to the world. Then, I wondered what in the world will I do after graduation? Teach? Write? If I could have any wish, I would love to be a "professional" writer...I want to get paid to write...I know that a lot of writers who dedicate their lives to the craft and do not have a "day" job often apply for grants and fellowships...but I wonder, is that realistic? Is that even doable? If you're a full-time writer without a day job, can you give me pointers?

My New Addiction, Part II

As I mentioned in a previous post entitled, "My New Addiction," blogging has opened up my universe; I have found an emerging passion. It is cool to be able to voice your thoughts and opinions--and bam--you have an audience. After installing, Google Analytics, I found out that this blog has been viewed by folks in Hawaii, California, and even India! Call me a nerd, but I was tickled to see those statistics. Blogging is a new form of communication. I call it "the call and response." I write a post, you read it, and you respond--there is interaction. I also love to read other writers' blogs. My favorites are Blue Mosaic Me: The Writing Blog of Jackson Bliss and Alligator Legs. I like "Blue Mosaic Me" because Jackson Bliss, a Ph.D. Literature and Creative Writing student at the University of Southern California, blogs about the conversations he has with faculty including Aimee Bender, TC Boyle, and Percival Everett. He types verbatim both acceptance and rejection letters he has received from editors and literary agents. He shares the correspondence he has written to authors, literary agents and editors; he includes their responses (my favorite is the one from Junot Diaz; click here to read it). The other site I enjoy is Alligator Legs. I like how she blogs about the New York literary and arts scene. Plus, she chronicles her writing aspirations in New York City. Are there any writing blogs that you love?

The Countdown

School is coming to an end. It's like being back in grade school when you're counting down the days...that leaves me with question, "What will I do with my extra time?" I have a couple of things on the list which includes working on my short stories, reading, and perusing the library. And oh yeah, of course blogging. Before, I couldn't tell what traffic I was getting for this blog, but I uploaded Google Analytics and now I know. Thank you to all my Baltimore visitors, ya'll have been showing me love, and to all those from other locales. Thanks! I hope to keep giving you a reason to come back! Also, check out my other blog, The Writing Zone. For that blog, you can read about the writing process and post your comments. You even can become a subscriber (shameless plug, I know, but hey, you got to market yourself, right?).

A Dream Deferred?

The waiting game is what I call it. What am I referring to? The months and months you wait to hear whether your work will be published in a literary magazine. It's like waiting to hear whether you've got accepted into the school of your dreams. Honestly, I don't ever think I have a real chance of getting published, but it's nice to believe you have a shot. During your waiting period, you ask yourself, "What if?" What if your work does get published? I remember when my story, "Elvis,"became published. I received the news on the last day of July via email. It was for The Baltimore Urbanite, New Voices: Emerging Writers Issue, August 2009. I was so ecstatic. Lights, camera, action! I thought being published meant things were going to happen. Maybe someone would contact me...recognize me...phone calls...none of the above...but it is a starting point. So, I just got to keep trekking along and maybe things will start to happen. At least, I hope. Anyway, can you recall your first published story? Did you have high expectations? Did anything come from it?

Creativity and Electronic Publishing

It was cool to see the variety and range of the final projects for my Electronic Publishing course at the University of Baltimore. There weren't too many people who used Twitter (shout out to Tania's Twitter Text Poetry, click here to view). I really liked Courtney's creative use of Facebook--that was so innovative. Create a Facebook account for fictional characters. Basically, everyone did a nice job. Three people did e-books, which are supposed to be the wave of the future. Call me old-school, but I still prefer a traditional book. The E-books were well-designed and were in PDF versions. I wonder how E-books will change the concept of book design. A couple of people used video with images, words, and audio. One person even shot a series of web shows about two fictional characters (click here to check it out). In retrospect, I learned a lot by taking Electronic Publishing. It's funny because I didn't want to take the class at first because I told myself I'm not tech savvy, but truthfully you don't have to be that tech savvy--maybe a little--but not a whole lot. Good job on the final projects, everyone!

Get your Blog on!

Yesterday, in my Electronic Publishing course, there was a group panel: Rose Huber (blogger), Erika Shernoff (non-profit marketing director), and Adam Robinson (blogger and publisher). The panelists gave great insight about their experiences with blogs and electronic marketing. It was cool to see that blogging can actually mean something other than how many people visited your sight, that if you're lucky and persistent that maybe a career can spring from it. For example, both Rose and Adam mentioned receiving free stuff; I would love for publishers to send me books that they want reviewed (knock on wood). But knowing me, I would feel funny endorsing something that I didn't believe in. Anyway, I was very impressed with Adam Robinson's indie book publishing house, Publishing Genius (a few weeks ago, I wrote a post about his press, click here to read it). I hope to one day have my own publishing house, but it takes time, money, and energy. Distribution and marketing are essential to having a successful publishing house. If no one knows about your company or the books that you're selling, it's like you don't exist. Also, it was pretty cool to see how Rose's post, "The Ultimate Vegan Cuisine," was the top google search. So, as you can see, the Internet levels the playing field in a way. Just get the word out about your blog, and hopefully people will become interested, and then you can become a famous blogger, right?

The Last Hurrah!

On May 7th, 2010, students in the MFA Creative Writing & Publishing Arts program at the University of Baltimore will showcase and display their final books on the fifth floor of the Student Center. This year, I know a handful of the graduates, so I'm excited to see their work. Last year, I attended the reading, and it was awe-inspiring to see how the books looked professional and attractive. At the University of Baltimore, students have to produce their own books, which means they can either get them printed using a commercial printer or they can hand-make them. I'm telling you now, I doubt I'll be making my final books by hand--too much work. Lord willingly, I will showcase my book to the world next year or should I say to a roomful of people. I am excited about that--my three years wrapped up in the completion of my final book. I already have an idea of how I want my book to look. It's hard to imagine that I will have wrote, designed, and printed my own book without the help of a publishing house. Anyway, I can't wait to see everyone's books! And hopefully, I can afford them (smile).

My new addiction

The end is coming, and I am excited! May 11th will be my last day of class--Hallelujah! But I will admit, I have learned a lot this semester. For example, blogs! I never knew I would like blogging so much. I like communicating to an audience other than myself (I write all the time, but I only show a fraction of my work to the public). Blogging is cool because you control the content that you want on your blog. You can inform the audience about things you find important and the things that interest you. I never knew I would like blogging so much. Before taking electronic publishing, the word, "blog," intimidated me. I thought I had to be a computer whizz to master the art of blogging. Now, I see all I need is a computer with Internet, and I am good to go!

Hey, can I have my book regular?

I wonder with all of this technology, what will happen to the book? Will technology replace the physical book? What will that mean for brick and mortar bookstores? What does that mean for book design? It's hard to believe that books will become relics of the past. There are some things that we must preserve and the book, the traditional book, the one that is held in your hands, and have actual pages you can turn, and you can place your cheesy bookmark in, and write on its physical pages for posterity, must be preserved. I know for myself, I don't want to read a book on a book reader. I want to be able to smell the book, look at its cover, finger through the pages, and after I'm done reading it, I want to place it on my bookshelf and admire its beauty. Having said that, E-books are the new wave of the future, but they shouldn't replace traditional books. Not all new things are better. Long live the printed book!

The Fame Game

You've sent out your manuscript to your favorite literary magazine. You imagine yourself reading the email, "Congratulations, we have selected your story for our publication..." And to top it off, you get paid a couple of hundreds, and before you know it, you become a household name...okay, I'm getting carried away. But honestly, who doesn't wish that one of the above scenarios wouldn't happen? What prompted these fantasies? I have submitted a collection of prose poetry entitled, "Black Codes," for Tin House's issue about class in America. I guess, I'll find out, if my submission made it by August. If not, the game continues. If so, YAY! I gotta be like Jesse and keep hope alive. What is your motto that motivates you to keep writing?

Confessions of a New Blogger

Blog statistics. The first thing I do when I turn on my computer is to checkout my dashboard to view the stats of my two websites, The Writing Zone and The Diary of a Black Prophet. Some days, my stats are so dismal. There are days when no one has visited my sites, and I think to myself, What is the point of maintaining a blog that no one reads? But on the flip side, there are days when you have a couple of clicks, and you become excited. So, I guess, I'll hang in there. Maybe one day, I will have daily traffic of hundreds of visitors on my websites. Wishful thinking? You never know.

P.S. For those of you that have blogs or websites, what do you do to attract visitors to your sites? And most importantly, how do you get them to come back? Help a novice blogger in training (smile).

The end is almost here

The semester is almost over. It's like the countdown to freedom, but I'll admit there is nothing like getting up in the morning with purpose. I like to feel productive, although school can be stressful. Right now, I have a couple of major assignments due: Pedagogy presentation, Electronic Publishing final project, and an experimental writing assignment, but by the second week of May, it should be a wrap! But when I'm an old woman, I'll remember my days at UB--the days when I would stay until the closing of the Design Studio Lab to design work, taking the shuttle that drops me off at Penn Station, and definitely making those books by hand--and how many people can say that they handmade their books? Not many.

What's behind the doors, MFAers?

The deadline is looming. You feel antsy. You've had this feeling before. The fear of what's on the other side of the door...is it wealth and stardom? Your name on The New York Times Bestseller? Or is it a bag of regrets and broken dreams? A nice little note with the word, "Sucker," scrawled across it? What am I talking about you might ask? Graduation. In 2007, when I graduate from college, I just knew my Bachelor's degree was going to get me a job ASAP! Wrong. As a result, I learned that you have to plan early. I'm beginning to think about the transition from school to the workforce. What should I do with my MFA? Teach? Write? Purse owning my own publishing house? Who knows? So that leads me to my next question, what are your plans after earning your MFA?

Easy as 1, 2, 3?

Today, I tested my website's usability and navigational tools. I used my parents as the sample pool. It was interesting to see how they navigated my blog. They are traditional readers, meaning their reading paths are linear; they didn't go to the archives and "play around;" instead, they just scrolled down the blog. My father does not have much experience with computers, so he needed help to navigate to older posts. My mother is a bit more tech-savvy; she was able to locate items on my sidebar, while my father was unable to find them without my guidance. Now, it would be interesting to see how a younger testing pool would have "behaved" on my site. I wonder if they would have "noticed" the sidebar more? Would they have clicked on the posts and the links? Who knows?

So you want to write, right?

Am I kidding myself? Who in his right mind wants to be a writer? Being a writer means keeping up the fight even when you hear the word, no, no, and no continuously. It's about submitting your work to journals, and journals, and journals just to get a cute little note that says, "Thanks for submitting to our journal, but blah, blah, blah." It's about people thinking to themselves, "That chick needs to get real and get herself a real job!" It's about being in debt to pursue your dreams which involves selling your book that no one has ever heard of. It's about dreaming about being on Oprah looking fabulous, darling, but damn, Oprah is supposed to be off the air in a year! Anyway. What can I say to all these roadblocks? Am I supposed to fold like a jackknife or will I stand tall like a oak tree? Time tells all, kiddo.

Who am I?

In a previous blog that I wrote on my website, The Writing Zone, I spoke about the importance of journaling. I have been writing in a journal since I was in the seventh grade. My first entries were a couple of lines that went like, "My day went fill in the blank. I did such and such. The end." At the time, there was no reflection, just bland objective facts that didn't delve into my psyche. Now, I see journal writing as a form of medication, of self-healing. For those of you, who feel like they don't know if they coming or going, freewrite in a journal. I found that writing in a new journal is the equivalent of starting a new chapter in your life. With every new journal, you have created a blank slate for yourself. For those of you who journal, tell me about your experience.

Poets, read all about it!

As I was browsing New Pages, I saw a submission posting that may be of interest to many of you poets and music lovers. Apparently, there will be a new book entitled, 21st Century Howlers: A New Generation Jazz and Blues Anthology edited by Tyehimba Jess, Duriel E. Harris and Patricia Smith, and they are looking for jazz and blues inspired poems. Below is an excerpt from slumz.boxden.com that explains in detail the project. Please note that the link has the old deadline; the new deadline is listed below:

CALL FOR POEMS

In the past ten to twenty years, a new generation of poets has emerged that seeks to expand and deepen the call-and-response tradition of Jazz and Blues music into the 21st century. Many of these poets may have not experienced a time when Blues or Jazz were the country’s common vernacular were played with any heavy rotation on their local radio stations.

As we quickly approach the centennial of Jazz and Blues, this anthology seeks to gather the voices of a new generation of Howlers: those poets whose work embodies or addresses the musical traditions of Jazz and Blues,and who began actively publishing no earlier than 1995.

Editors are particularly interested in innovative approaches, reinterpretations, and engagements with the contemporary socio-historical moment and/or Jazz and Blues scene. Each poet featured in the anthology will provide a short commentary or anecdote on the ways Blues and/or Jazz have affected their writing.

E-mails should contain a cover letter and submission as one attachment in Microsoft Word. Previously published work must be acknowledged in the cover letter. Submissions will be taken on an ongoing basis until September 1, 2010 (this is the updated deadline; website has the old deadline). Please e-mail your submissions to 21stHowlers@gmail.com.

13 Ways of Looking at that Blackbird

You know what I missed most about Creativity: Ways of Seeing? The commonplace journals. At first, I didn't understand the concept. To me, at the time, it seemed like I was coloring--doing what children do in elementary school. I couldn't see the connection between the journals and writing, and then one day it clicked. I realized the journals were a place to think outside the box. A place to explore ideas. If I could be free in my journal, then I could be free in my writing.

P.S. Do you remember reading Wallace Stevens, "13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird?" I'm not going to lie, I was a bit tired of hearing that poem, but after a while I begin to look forward to hearing it read by everyone. I am now one with the blackbird.

A Star is Born (psike)

Check me out on this new online publication called, The Indiestry Magazine. I was featured in the Writer's Block Issue. My friend, Sherna Johnson, is one of the founders for the online magazine. For the issue, I discuss how I made nine hardback books for the final project for Literary Publications. I also have a post of my short story, Elvis, which first appeared as a web-exclusive story for The Baltimore Urbanite, Emerging Writers Issue, 2009. I really love how the images were embedded into the story.

Also, the magazine is accepting work from visual artists including photographers, painters, fashion designers, artists, interior designers, etc. for their next issue entitled; the deadline is Wed. May 12, 2010. Submit you work to execs@theindiestry.com.

It's all about Twitter, folks

I've completed the presentation about Twitter. I hope it was helpful. Who knew Twitter was so popular? Even the celebrities are in on it, but I must admit it's pretty cool to see a celebrity Tweet the most mundane thing. It makes them appear real. Anyway, here are a couple of links that I used for the presentation:

You Tube video about Twitter

Twitterholic.com

Twitter

Beth's blog, Mastering Murphy

Site from Beth's blog, Twitter and Pictures

Site from Beth's Blog, The Wizard of Oz

Got words?

For the last couple of days, it has been nice in Baltimore. I like the nice weather, but when it's nice outside, it's hard to feel motivated to write--at least it is for me. Instead of thinking about a story, I'd rather stroll outside in the sun. But, real writers write even when they rather do something else. Speaking about procrastination, how do you overcome the writing slump that all writers experience?

Are you Afraid of the Dark?

Last week, I made a short film for my Electronic Publishing class. I'll admit, at first I was not happy with the assignment. I was thinking what can I film? I'm not a director. My first idea was to make an illustration for my short story, "Elvis," but when I was walking to work, it dawned on me that I should make a scary short film. I told myself I would film it at night in the dog park. It would sorta be like The Blair Witch Project. I made up the script on the spot. I told myself, I would let the story come to me, and it did. It's entitled, "Me and Bob." I edited the video using iMovie. It was actually fun polishing the narrative and adding the transitions and sound effects. Check it out! And no, I'm not crazy.

Read all about her!

As mentioned in a previous post, I am a huge fan of Toni Cade Bambara's Gorilla, My Love (1972). Here's a little info on Bambara: Toni Cade Bambara's birth name was Miltona Mirkin Cade. She was born on March 25, 1939 in New York City to Helen Brent Henderson Cade Brehon. For the first ten years of Bambara's life, she grew up in Harlem, New York. In 1959, Bambara published her first story, "Sweet Town," in Vendome Magazine and received the John Golden Award for fiction. In that same year, Bambara earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts and English from Queens College. In 1965, Bambara further her education at City College earning a Master's degree in American Studies. She changed her name to Bambara when she discovered the signature in a sketchbook found in her great-grandmother's trunk. Sadly, in 1995, Bambara died at age 56 due to cancer. Needless to say, Bambara has blessed us with her work and I am thankful for having the chance to read her stories. Thank you, Ms. Bambara. Your work has inspired me.

Who is she? She's an author?

Why are some writers not given the due they are deserved? Not to sound like a raving lunatic, but it seems like women of color are definitely not given the attention they deserve. Why is there even an African-American section in the bookstores? Are stories written by African-Americans considered not main-stream? When you are a female and a person of color, it seems like the publishing industry want to put a label on you, as if you fit a type. I know there are some great Black female writers that I will never read because they aren't promoted:their books aren't displayed in the front tables of Barnes and Nobles, their books don't appear in the fiction section. Instead of placing writers' work in racial categories, how about we place writing in the following categories: nice try, average, good, and excellent. Maybe I'm getting carried away, but it is food for thought. Any opinions?

Short stories are alive!

There are a list of authors that have written compelling short story collections. Here are my favorites:

Junot Diaz's Drown (1997) is awesome. I love how Diaz follows his instincts as a writer; his work is so unique and refreshing. I love how he uses Spanglish in his work, and how he feels comfortable to write unconventional stories like, "Boyfriend," and "How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie."

Another favorite of mine is Edwidge Danticat's Krik? Krak! (1996). I loved this collection. The first story, "Children of the Sea," is spell-bounding. Reading Danticat's stories, you feel that you are in Haiti. Sometimes you can smell the air, feel the breeze on your skin; sometimes you are afraid for the characters and you find yourself holding your breath. Danticat is a true storyteller.

And last but not least is Toni Cade Bambara's Gorilla, My Love (1972). No doubt, I think this is my favorite collection because I love how Bambara tackles social issues without beating us over the head with them. My favorite story is "The Lesson." The characters are funny and witty in spite of their hardships. If you are a writer or reader who loves voice and character-driven stories, then you should definitely put this book on your list!

If you have any favorite short story collections, please share them. Tell us why you enjoy this collection and what you learned from the author.

Do you have what it takes?

What does it take to be a published writer? You must be patient. It takes forever to hear back from literary magazines; on average, it takes a couple of months. Do your homework. Don't send an experimental story to a publication that usually publishes traditional work. Treat your writing like a profession. Treating writing as your profession means that you conduct research. You know the books that have been newly-released. You are subscribed to Poets & Writers (a year subscription, 6 issues, is $14.95). You write constantly, even when you rather watch television shows like The Jersey Shore. Become a member of a writing group in your area. Attend free readings. And most of all...READ!

The Price of the Writing Ticket

Ever since I've subscribed to Poets & Writers, and also maybe it's because I'm in a MFA Creative Writing program, I have been receiving various promotional material for writing conferences: AWP, Nebraska Summer Writers Conference, and The Writers Institute at Miami Dade College. And, I'll admit a lot of the programs look enticing. Like last week, I received one from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the university that produces the literary journal, Prairie Schooner. The summer conference will have great faculty and interesting panel discussions. The only dilemma is Mr. Green. And when I say Mr. Green, I ain't talking about colors in the Crayon box. I estimated a plane ticket, accommodations, and registration would cost close to $1,000. Now, I guess there are people that can spend $1,000 in one week and don't blink an eye; I am not one of them. So, I guess my summer educational pursuits will be hitting the library and reading from the greats. Cost? Free.

A Look inside Ellison's Mind

In a previous post, I discussed the releasing of Ralph Ellison's posthumous book, Three Days Before the Shooting... (2010). As I was researching the literary executors of Ellison's estate, I found out that Adam Bradley planned to release a book entitled Ralph Ellison In Progress, which will be released in May 2010. In this book, Bradley examines Ellison's work including manuscripts, notes, and journal entries. You can check out Amazon.com to look inside the book. I'm actually excited to see what Ellison's writing process was; I find that learning the writing habits of other writers make you a better a writer. For example, I learned that Toni Morrison writes her drafts by hand, which I found interesting and informative. Reading about your favorite author's writing process let's you see how writing is generated. Writing is a complicated process that involves hard work and patience.

The Power of Guene's Words

Last Monday, I was in the Langsdale Library scoping out its "Leisure Reading" section when I came across a book entitled Some Dreams for Fools. Interesting title, I thought. Anything that has the word, dream, in it, I gravitate towards it. Maybe because dreams allude to many things: imagination, disappointment, hope...I read the back of the book, and I read it's about Paris. Cool. The fact that the book cover was well designed, didn't hurt either. I might give it a I try, I tell myself.

To determine whether something is worth reading, I always read the first page: It's freezing in this bled, the wind makes your eyes water and I have to run in place to get warm. I tell myself that I'm not living in the right place, that the climate around here isn't for me, because in the end, climate's the only thing that counts and this morning the crazy French cold paralyzes me. I am sold. Later when I get home, I read on the back flap, that the author, Faiza Guene, the child of Algerian immigrants, who grew up in a housing projects outside of Paris, is only 24! I was shocked. Can you imagine being an international bestselling author and you aren't even 25? Can you imagine living in a society where you are marginalized, not thinking you will ever get heard, and your story is told to the entire world? Amazing.

A Ruined Masterpiece?

Ralph Ellison's Three Days Before the Shooting... was released earlier this year by Random House. This book is an extended version of Juneteenth which was published posthumously in 1999. According to the February 2010 Ebony article entitled, "Visible Again," written by Monique Fields, literary executors John Callahan and Adam Bradley assembled the book together by piecing together "handwritten notes, typewritten pages, and computer files." It took Callahan and Bradley roughly 14 years to arrange the novel. Having said all of that, I wonder if it's ethical to "try" to figure out what an author intended for his manuscript. Truthfully, I think Ellison would be disappointed that his work that was not completed became published. It took Ellison roughly 7 years to complete Invisible Man; he was a very meticulous writer who wanted to fine-tuned every sentence. But in defense of Callahan and Bradley, Ellison's widow, Fanny, asked them to assemble the manuscript into an actual book. What do you think about this situation?

To Whom much is Given, Much is Expected

What duty does a fiction writer have? For some writers, writing is an act of self-indulgence, and for others it is an act of defiance. For myself, I see writing as a tool for change. Writing has the ability to transform minds' and the culture of our society. Look at Upton Sinclair's The Jungle (1906) and Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852). Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man (1952) fostered meaningful dialogue about race in the United States. Words have the power to heal, reform, and rebuild communities. So to answer my own question, writers have a huge responsibility.

Thank you for the Love, Ms. Clifton

I was shocked to discover that Lucille Clifton, former Maryland Poet Laureate, passed away on February 13, 2010. I learned about Clifton's passing yesterday in an email. I guess the big news around the time of Clifton's death was the historic snowstorm in Baltimore, MD. I am bummed that I will never have a chance to meet Ms. Clifton, but her work is here to stay.

I'll admit I was introduced to Clifton's work rather late. It was in 2007. My father handed me a news article from The Baltimore Sun, which profiled Clifton, because she won the 2007 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize; she became the first African-American woman to win the award. It was inspiring to see an African-American woman be praised for her literary contributions, and that's why I say, "Thank you, Ms. Clifton."

Tale from the Streets of Harlem

My favorite book of all time is Ann Petry's The Street. It was published in 1946, and Petry became the first African-American author to sell over a million books. If you want to feel like you're a witness to the characters' lives, then I suggest that you pick up this book ASAP. The beginning of the novel grabs you:

There was a cold November wind blowing through 116th Street. It rattled the tops of garbage cans, sucked window shades out through the top of opened windows and set them flapping back against the windows; and it drove most of the people off the street in the block between Seventh and Eighth Avenues except for a few hurried pedestrians who bent double in an effort to offer the least possible exposed surface to its violent assault.

The Art of Fiction Writing

To be a writer is a commitment. Sometimes, when you are alone and writing, you ask yourself whether the work is worth it. Writing is an interesting profession, especially fiction writing. Often you have to have produced a final product, in order to get a verdict. It is possible to have worked on a novel for five years, and not have it be picked up by a literary agent, let alone sold to a publishing house. Although being a writer is hard, it can also be rewarding. So, I'll keep writing and, maybe one day I'll see my book in a bookstore.

Roots: 33 Years Later

Yesterday I watched two documentaries about Roots, the television mini-series that aired in January 1977. The documentaries are Crossing Over: How Roots Captivated an Entire Nation (2007) and Roots: One Year Later (1978). In Crossing Over, I found it surprising when the white producer, David Wolper, said that Alex Haley, the Black author of Roots (1976), did not want any Black writers to contribute to the television adaptation, because Haley felt that Black writers would begin to tell their stories instead of his. I found Haley's statement to be a bit shocking. Was that a form of reverse discrimination? Or was Haley justified? If Black writers had contributed to the television adaptation, would Roots have been different? Would it lose its universal appeal? Let's discuss.

I Wish Upon a Writing Star

Every writer has his favorite dream publication that he would die to get published in. Truthfully, I'd be grateful to have my work featured in any notable literary magazine, but I'd be lying if I said I don't have a wish list. Here are mine: The New Yorker and Ploughshares. Give a shout out to your dream publications. You know, dreams do come true.

Welcome to Heartbreak Motel

For all of you emerging writers, you need to be prepared to have your heart broken at least a hundred times. You will receive short impersonal rejections letters that refer to you as "Dear Writer." The letters usually begin with, "Thank you for submitting your work to our publication, but..."

It can be demoralizing to hear multiple nos in a row, but that is life as a writer. You can't let rejections put a damper on your writing.

When your work is rejected, I suggest that you do the following:

1. Objectively look at your work. Is it really your best? Could it be improved?
2. Next, look at the style of the publication. Does the publication usually publish literary fiction, experimental, character-driven narratives? Try submitting your work to publications that value and appreciate literary aesthetics that are similar to your work.
3. And the most important rule, keep writing!

Where's the Love? Part II

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. It's the day where lovers profess their undying love to one another or it's the day that you feel like crap, because you don't have anyone to call honey.

Anyway, what is your favorite story or novel about love? I know that Oprah is in love with Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937), a novel written by Zora Neale Hurston, a Southern black writer and anthropologist. I remember when I first read that book in high school, I was lost in the sauce. For me, the dialect was hard to understand.

For those of you who have read the book, do you think the love between Janie and Teacake was real? Or was Teacake just the likeable bad boy who would have eventually broken Janie's heart? Tell me what you think.

How to Market Yourself as a Writer

If you want to know how to market yourself as I writer, I recommend that you check out Kalisha Buckhanon's website, www.kalisha.com. Buckhanon has written two successful books, Upstate (2006) and Conception (2008). She received her MFA at the New School and was taught by Sapphire, the author of Push. I love the sleek and contemporary look of her website--the sans-serif font and the black, red, and white color scheme are great aesthetic choices. Buckhanon uses her website as platform to promote herself as a writer, speaker, and educator. The website has links to Buckhanon's videos on You Tube, which include Buckhanon reading an excerpt from her book, Conception, and giving sound and useful advice to writers.

Another website that is worth checking out is Marita Golden's website, www.maritagolden.com. Golden is best known for her fiction, non-fiction, and anthologies. She wrote the memoir, Migrations of the Heart: An Autobiography (1983). She is also the founder of The Hurston/Wright Foundation. I'll admit, I'm not a big fan of the greenish-blue background, but other than that, the website is a great model as to what a writer's website should accomplish: inform the audience about upcoming events, information about your work, and the services you provide other than writing.

Okay, now I'm going to talk about a website that isn't that effective. Can you guess? Junot Diaz's website, www.junotdiaz.com. Gasp. I know there will be some people out there who are mad that I wrote that, but it's the truth. For those of you who aren't familiar, Diaz won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize in Literature for The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (2007). And I'm by no means, a hater. I stood in a long line to get my book signed by Diaz, and I can honestly say he seems humble and down-to-earth. Having said that, I think Diaz' website doesn't reflect how dynamic a writer he is. Diaz's work is fun, experimental, and daring, yet his website doesn't reflect that. Even though I found Diaz's site to be a bit dull, I will say that if you want to know where to meet Diaz, there is a list of upcoming events. Other than that, I didn't learn anything new about him on his website, but hey, no one's website is perfect, right?

Where's the Love?

What happened to short stories that explore the wide range of that crazy thing called love? Love is such a complicated emotion-- sometimes you feel angry, happy, invincible, vulnerable, and everything in-between. Yesterday at Barnes and Noble, I stumbled across a book called The History of Love (2005) written by Nicole Krauss. The arrangement of the narrative is experimental. Apparently, the book is a best-seller; it has been translated in 13 languages and shortlisted for the 2006 Orange Prize. This thought just occurred to me. If you could give a title to your current or last relationship what would it be?

To Know Me is To Love Me

Hello, world. My name is Dreamer Girl, but I go by Mary in my real life. I started this blog for a course at my school. I'll admit, when I heard we had to create a blog, I was not excited, but I guess with time, I'll get the hang of it. I want this blog to be a forum where we can discuss literature, the arts, and other topics of interest. I hope I haven't bored you to death. So tell me about yourself. Peace, love, and good reading.