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.