One of my biggest offenses as a writer in '09 (and before), was over-researching journals and over-thinking writing projects. I created unnecessary stress by constantly considering what I should write to fit the criteria and expectations of editors. I spent more time brainstorming topics, planning execution and reading publications than I did writing. Deplorable. In spite of all the time I spent defining myself as an artist, I approached my art as a science and undervalued my spirit of creativity. Art is not science. Art is the expression of artists' observation and imagination.
From here, I'm dedicated to writing on the subjects that move me and penning pieces that I deem relevant and worthy. I'm staying prayerful that following my heart will attract the suiters who find monetary value in my work. But writing for the purpose of selling myself has only left spaces that could have been filled with my art. No more writing for the wrong purpose.
Now, by no means am I claiming that '09 was a non-productive year. I've written a significant number of poems for my second collection, got knee-deep into the revision of my first novel, and started the second. From the standpoint of marketing and promotions, I've also made leeway by going somewhat hard. However, I've gotta go harder.
It's been a good year of growth, realizations and creative frustration. No regrets. But it's time to correct my mistakes and create room for new ones.
Baltimore in December w/United Sisters
This past weekend, I flew out to Baltimore, MD for a snowy weekend with the Executive Director of the United Sisters Mentoring Program, Grace Kolawole Wiggins. Grace has been a dedicated client since the top of the year. I've been blessed to be called upon to write press releases for exciting events, such as the USMP HIV Call-Out and Fuel for the Arts. Unfortunately, with miles and states between us, I was unable to support these events in the physical. However, I got a chance to chop it up with Grace regarding the future of USMP during my visit. As someone who's professional life is supported by a strong web presence, the vision of USMP as an E-Mentoring program has an allure that other organizations don't. By basing the program online, the organization strives to keep in tune with the ever-evolving use of technology. Dope.
While in B-More, I had a chance to visit Mund Park, the spot where Fuel for the Arts was held (in partnership with an art collective, Steady Baltimore). During the event, Steady Baltimore crew did live graffiti. An element from the cause will always stand on Greenmount Ave. We took a few shots at the park, surrounded by the historic row homes of the city and stark white sastrugi.
As one of the faces of USMP, I enjoyed a photoshoot directed by Grace and executed by a talented artist, Stefan Ways. I'm sure we got some great shots to be used for the site and other materials that I can't disclose. I'm looking forward to seeing a few flicks and sharing soon.
My last day of Baltimore was one with a touristy agenda. With the snow cleared and a great guide in my new pal Adrian of Steady Baltimore, I headed to Fells Point. We had a nutritional lunch at a vegetarian spot, Liquid Earth and copped some nice albums at a hole-the-wall vinyl shop, Own Guru Records. The area was doted with plenty of unique and eclectic shops for every taste.
I'm so glad to have finally made it to B-More meet Grace face-to-face and build upon the foundation that we started to cement in January '09. As a freelancer, it's difficult to come across faithful clients who value your work. I'm grateful to have found that dynamic in Grace and United Sisters Mentoring Program. As Grace bounced ideas off of me over the weekend, I've come to admire the passion in this woman's work. It's going to be exciting to see the USMP mission unfold.
Muchos besos, Baltimore!
While in B-More, I had a chance to visit Mund Park, the spot where Fuel for the Arts was held (in partnership with an art collective, Steady Baltimore). During the event, Steady Baltimore crew did live graffiti. An element from the cause will always stand on Greenmount Ave. We took a few shots at the park, surrounded by the historic row homes of the city and stark white sastrugi.
As one of the faces of USMP, I enjoyed a photoshoot directed by Grace and executed by a talented artist, Stefan Ways. I'm sure we got some great shots to be used for the site and other materials that I can't disclose. I'm looking forward to seeing a few flicks and sharing soon.
My last day of Baltimore was one with a touristy agenda. With the snow cleared and a great guide in my new pal Adrian of Steady Baltimore, I headed to Fells Point. We had a nutritional lunch at a vegetarian spot, Liquid Earth and copped some nice albums at a hole-the-wall vinyl shop, Own Guru Records. The area was doted with plenty of unique and eclectic shops for every taste.
I'm so glad to have finally made it to B-More meet Grace face-to-face and build upon the foundation that we started to cement in January '09. As a freelancer, it's difficult to come across faithful clients who value your work. I'm grateful to have found that dynamic in Grace and United Sisters Mentoring Program. As Grace bounced ideas off of me over the weekend, I've come to admire the passion in this woman's work. It's going to be exciting to see the USMP mission unfold.
Muchos besos, Baltimore!
Crouch Quadruplets Head to Yale
What a beautiful day it had to be for the parents of the Crouch quadruplets when they all received the news that they've been accepted to Yale University. Unfortunately, academic discrimination still exists. Still, we have shockingly low numbers of men of color graduating from 4-year universities. So when a family of beautiful, brown-skinned youth make it into one of the most prestigious schools in the country, it's news to celebrate.Cheers to the Crouch family. I speak for a community when I say that I'm proud of you!
Microjournaling FTW
I've decided to modify the Twitter phenomena and apply it to my own journaling habits. I'm very guilty of taking my thoughts and overexposing myself on paper. Now, obviously I'm free to be as vulgar and tactless as I please when I'm writing for myself, but as I grow, looking back, there are times when I don't recognize myself. I'm starting to take a different approach to my diary writing by jotting quick summaries of my thoughts of the moment. No more analyzing myself with drawn out passages of chatter. Twitter's got it right, you can say plenty in 160 characters or less. This may not work for everyone, but I've found that the result is a string of decent to excellent writing prompts that can be used for later. I'm still writing to the core, but I'm documenting the flesh of the matter. I started yesterday. I'll share a few ;-)
12.15.09
9am: Wishing I woke up in a different time zone.
9:45am: I should be writing the day away in some isolated room with a fireplace and a teapot.
11:00am: By coming in contact with so many souls, I'm sure to have several monumental heartbreaks.
11:20am: I'm writing a poem at work. I love stealing by supervisor's time like she steals by skills by underpaying me.
1:05pm: I miss the sun. Whoever stole the sky's shine, should return it... stat.
(I'm sure that two poems will come of these.)
12.15.09
9am: Wishing I woke up in a different time zone.
9:45am: I should be writing the day away in some isolated room with a fireplace and a teapot.
11:00am: By coming in contact with so many souls, I'm sure to have several monumental heartbreaks.
11:20am: I'm writing a poem at work. I love stealing by supervisor's time like she steals by skills by underpaying me.
1:05pm: I miss the sun. Whoever stole the sky's shine, should return it... stat.
(I'm sure that two poems will come of these.)
Writing Words from Dan Jenkins.
WordHustler posts some great interviews and features regarding writing and surviving as a literary creative. Today, I happened upon an interview with sportswriter and novelist, Dan Jenkins. I decided to share a few nuggets that I grabbed from the text that I found helpful (in one way or another).
The biggest change in book publishing, as far as I can tell, is everybody wants a blockbuster written by a guaranteed best-seller or a celebrity, even if the book isn’t worth a sh*t. Taste no longer counts.
Be well-read and learn from what you read. Study the ones you consider to be the masters.
Finally, if you want to write, WRITE. Don’t just talk about it. Get a job on a newspaper, if there are any left.
Never start a piece with a quote. Learn to establish your voice without using “I.” Give credit all your sources. Listen. Listen. Listen. And don’t try to force-feed an anecdote into a piece when it doesn’t belong just because YOU are fascinated with it. Save it for when it DOES work.
Read the entire interview here. And if you're a fellow writer, I'd suggest joining the site. It has been a decent resource when I have the motivation to visit.
The biggest change in book publishing, as far as I can tell, is everybody wants a blockbuster written by a guaranteed best-seller or a celebrity, even if the book isn’t worth a sh*t. Taste no longer counts.
Be well-read and learn from what you read. Study the ones you consider to be the masters.
Finally, if you want to write, WRITE. Don’t just talk about it. Get a job on a newspaper, if there are any left.
Never start a piece with a quote. Learn to establish your voice without using “I.” Give credit all your sources. Listen. Listen. Listen. And don’t try to force-feed an anecdote into a piece when it doesn’t belong just because YOU are fascinated with it. Save it for when it DOES work.
Read the entire interview here. And if you're a fellow writer, I'd suggest joining the site. It has been a decent resource when I have the motivation to visit.
Drop Your Resolution.
Another year is coming to an end and people are beginning to map out new resolutions. Not I. I've found the best way to disappoint yourself in the eve of a new year is to realize you haven't yet managed to conquer resolutions set for the current one. This leads to a sort of self-pity and guilt that I've yet to understand. I have always resolved to tackle the things I need to change upon concluding that they must change. I live in the now, not the "I'll certainly do this later on." Postponing goals simply because the year is fresh is not the way to win. If you want to lose 10 pounds, start working on it now. If you want to spend more time on your craft, set aside time each day and do so. Resolve to starting and implementing a plan ASAP. Do not use January 1st as a crutch to continue in the same manner as you have been. The New Year's Resolution is a tool of procrastination. Let's be better today.
Flash Haiku One.
I asked my Twitter friends to give me a word to serve as the inspiration for flash Haiku. My dear love, Erica, gave me the word Anamorphic. I'm assuming she aimed to stump me. The result:
Anamorphic dream
Rounds out my reality
Fate handles the rest.
*Takes bow*
Anamorphic dream
Rounds out my reality
Fate handles the rest.
*Takes bow*
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