13 Phrases #5: ain hd

How could I not feature myself? Read on.

1. By day, I am a: writer. No matter the job or gig of the moment, my journal is in tote. My 9 to 5 title is never as important as the title He bestowed upon me. I’m not a writer by trade, but by gift. Amen.

2. I write best when: I’m moved, and the types of moments that move me are unlimited.

3. When I find it difficult to complete a piece, I: trash it or walk away from it until I’m moved to pick it back up. As a writer, I’ve learned that my creativity has no boundaries. I’m no longer afraid to release a piece into space when I’m not inspired to complete it. I realize that another will come.

4. Three things that help me recover from Writer’s Block are: listening to music, reading or doing absolutely nothing at all. I try not to claim writer’s block. A major component of a writer’s life is sitting back and observing, so when the words aren’t flowing, I realize that a period of observation is in order.

5. I started writing because: I wanted to be a rapper.

6. I continued to write because: the rhythms and thoughts in my head needed to be released.

7. I will always write because: I’m supposed to.

8. If I weren’t a writer, I would probably be: a visual artist or dancer. There’s always a way to tell a story or make a statement.

9. The Authors who influence and inspire my work are: those who push boundaries and shun traditional literary academia when exercising their right to write.

10. The most important goal I have as a writer is: to inspire thought. I want my poems to scream “Fire!”

11. People who read my work are most likely to: hug their neighbor, embrace a stranger, extend a hand to someone in need, start a rebellion or engage in self-reflection.

12. My most significant piece to date is: “Hypnotized,” a piece I wrote when I was 15 about society’s unreasonable fear of black men.

13. There’s nothing more important than: positive energy. When you have and surround yourself with that, everything else falls into place.

Email: ain.h.d{at}hotmail.com
Website: http://www.ainhd.com
Buy: http://www.amazon.com/If-Lifes-Rotten-Write-Core/dp/0557003067

RIP Ernie Barnes

Like many people of my generation, I first learned of Ernie Barnes by watching reruns of "Good Times." Even then, I wasn't aware of the artist behind all of the beautiful pieces that JJ Evans claimed in each episode. Only after I started paying attention of the creative minds who blessed our lives with expression, did I uncover the name.

Ernie Barnes passed away today. And although I'm sure he's now enjoying his slice of paradise, I weep over the fact that his name may not be immortalized among the most "elite" of art connoisseurs. Such is the tragedy of black art.

So, in everything in me, today, I lift his name. RIP, beautiful. Thank you for your contributions.

Writing in Web 2.0

As a writer, I've grown comfortable relying in the basic materials: pen, pad, and Microsoft Word. Now, with Twitter, the ever-growing blogosphere and other social networking sites, the Web has become not only a place where artists can showcase their work, but actually connect with established supporters, potential fans, and other artists. It used to be a pain scouring through websites of literary journals to whom I could submit my work with hopes that a poem would be placed and my name would appear on the coveted pages of Google. Now, all it takes is a couple clicks of a mouse, taps of the keyboard and minimal knowledge of keywords and you can spread yourself across the world.

Instead of mulling over where and how I could be seen/read, the question has become "What can I put out there to make myself stand out as an upcoming writer and be taken seriously in the literary world respectively?"

Whether it's coming up with interesting blog topics or trying to figure out how much information I should actually share on Twitter, the Web 2.0 revolution has almost created as much stress as it has good. Now I'm faced with the matter of maintaining my image as a talented writer, and allowing the world to see that, even as a poet, I'm not always deep and analytical as people would assume (when reading my work). It's a blessing and a curse. I'm able to reach the masses with little/no funds, yet taking advantage of the web robs people of the mystique that people have about artists whose personalities have generally been left to decode between pages, on canvas and other nonverbal mediums.

Either way it goes, I'm happy that I'm an artist in an age where my words can be stretched around the globe with a few clicks. The challenge is now figuring out how to make the most of these socializing opportunities.

Freelance Project. RE: Baltimore's HIV Callout

Back in February, I was given the esteemed duty to write a press release for a March event in Baltimore. The event: An HIV/AIDS testing event hosted by the United Sisters Mentoring Program. As the market is saturated with freelance writers, it's rare to come by great projects when you're not looking for them. Fortunately, this release fell into my lap and gave me an opportunity to use my powers for good ;-) and connect with a positive sister, Grace Wiggins, who's doing amazing things in her community.

Grace sent me a couple of photos that I wanted to share with you all. I thought the graffiti wall was a great touch on an already cool and necessary event.

"60 people were tested and the panel discussion was healing. The guest speakers also found it delightful, as they rarely get to hear from the younger Generation. BIG UP to Callout Supporters ("With no village the children starve"). The performances were live and guest speaker Jill Cloud was keeping it real 101% of the time. I can honestly say that we learned a lot and had fun doing it," shared Grace.

And of course, Ms. Wiggins had kind words for yours truly.

"Thank you for composing hot press release for such a needed event. The HIV Callout was awesome and very much needed by the city of B'more. Your words helped us get a 3-minute spot on FOX 45. Girl... 3 WHOLE Minutes, which is like forever in T.V. time. It was so exciting. I have come to appreciate the power of [written] expression and those who have a gift for it."

A big you're welcome and thank YOU to Grace for organizing something so important.

Peek: "[If] Life's Rotten, Write to the Core."

If you haven't purchased your copy of [If] Life's Rotten, Write to the Core yet, take a look at the sneak peek on Issuu. Please enjoy.

Open publication - Free publishing - More politics