Have a Voice!!!

by Donnice Peterson

When I first started nurturing my love for writing I struggled to find my voice within my work. I had this misconception that there was a certain way a "writer" is supposed sound. I thought writers had to use big words, be totally unbiased yet somewhat humorous, and be the ultimate authority on their topic. This may be true in a sense, but ultimately a writer must sound like herself.

Les Edgerton the author of  Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing says: "Don’t write to impress, fellow scribes. Write to connect with your readers. Your writer’s voice builds a better bridge to your readers. It’s your fingerprint, it’s your individual writing style, and it gives your writing soul". 


Edgarton's advice spoke volumes to me. For one thing, it made writing much less daunting. Trying so hard to sound like someone else made me less confident in my work because I never felt like I was getting it right. Gratefully, one of my mentors brought to my attention that my writing had great potential, but she could not identify my voice. She told me the more my writing sounded like me the more my reader could grow to love my work. I realized that I wanted my readers to pick up one of my pieces and instantly say, this sounds like Donnice without even looking at my byline.  


Your voice is what builds your brand. Your voice is what makes your readers fall in love--or not--with your work. In my work, you will hear a goofy, sarcastic, passionate young lady who is hungry for a prosperous future without any reservation--that's my voice. What's your voice?

Research, Research, and More Research!

by Donnice Peterson

As Nana's intern I have the opportunity to draft pitches of possible articles I may want to write about. I go on different websites such as nymag.com, thegrio.com, and fashionista.com to name a few and I read the day's stories so that my pitches can be relevant. The different writing styles and how the writers choose facts to support their work is very interesting, and sometimes even funny (the comments that readers leave are even funnier). Nonetheless, I've learned that in order for the writers to have a successful article or post they need a solid argument and solid proof.

When I intially started writing my pitches I would look at different articles, form my opinion and go from there. I thought that an interesting point of view would grab my readers and make a great article. To my surprise I was wrong. Sort of. Yes, readers want an interesting read, however, you have to get the facts right to make a convincing argument.

I recently read an article on nymag.com about how Carmelo Anthony "maneuvered the system to get exactly the coach he wants," leaving the Knicks "doomed" according to the writer. This was a very controversial topic for me because 1)I am very defensive when people speak of my team's future (#TeamKnicks), and 2)where does the author get off thinking that Carmelo has "maneuvered the system"? But after I read the article, I must say the author puts his facts together so well that he had me second-guessing Carmelo's intentions.

The article started off with the stats on former Knicks Lakers coach Phil Jackson and how he has taken many teams to victory. It also stated that the last time he considered being a coach for the Knicks was in 1999! Supposedly after each season the Knicks have been crying out for Jackson's help. And to their relief he is now considering the offer. But here's the kicker--the Knicks' previous coach Mike D'Antoni resigned and Mike Woodson took his place.

Why did D'Antoni resign? He resigned because, after working with Carmelo, he decided he would rather work anywhere else in the world than with that team. That was fine for Carmelo because he liked Woodson and worked harder under his coaching, and with Carmelo being one of the top players on the Knicks his efforts are needed for the team to succeed. However, the Knicks did not make it past the first round in the playoffs. Woodson got the team far, but Jackson might have gotten them the win. Yet, because Carmelo "likes" Woodson he may be staying which can possibly lead the team to another loss :(.

Clearly the author of this article did his research!!! He had so many valid facts that could support his position. Had he just said Carmelo "maneuvered the system" without any support his article would have been ripped to pieces (by me). But because of his research I could clearly see his point of view and understand why he would feel that way. The time he put into researching and building his case is what made the article successful (to me). He knew that people would be opposed to his view so he carefully laid down the facts so that he could be understood.

I now understand the importance of research. In my previous post I stated "passion is key"; well once you have identified your passion, I know now you have to be prepared to do much research to back it up.

No "I" in Writing

Over the weekend, my intern Donnice asked me what my blog was about. Lol. I gave her a variation of the line that's under the blog's title--"It's about 'my adventures in promoting Powder Necklace'."--before admitting that I'm trying to pull it all together better. "All" meaning the Facebook, the Twitter, the Pinterest, theFancy (my favorite one right now), the YouTube, and all the cool new platforms and experiences I read about on Mashable that I wish I had more time to tuck into. Not to mention this blog.

One of the real adventures I've discovered in promoting my first book, is much of it has nothing to do with explicit promotion. It's bigger than this one book or me. It's about the discipline of writing, and protecting the writer's ability to keep writing. That protection extends to supporting programs that support tomorrow's writers, contributing to writer friends' Kickstarter/GoFundMe/IndieGogo campaigns, taking the time to read drafts and drafts of other writers' manuscripts (THANK YOU to all who have labored through my drafts!), going to readings, and advocacy.

Speaking specifically of "advocacy", I wish I could say I do more than "like" the odd Facebook status or re-tweet a friend's 140-character petition, but I realize I need to, particularly when it comes to our libraries.

When I can get it together to leave the house early enough, I spend time before work writing at the library near my job. I've done this for the past two years, enjoying the benefit of free wi-fi, and air conditioning/a warm space--and observing one of the results of the push to get the homeless/mentally ill off the streets into temporary shelters, without finding a lasting solution as far as adequate housing and mental healthcare. The homeless/mentally ill hang tough at and near my library, guarding chairs in the outdoor seated area, or waiting patiently in line for the doors to open at the sister library across the street at 8:30a every morning, irrespective of the weather. 

When the doors open, they fall into seats and alternately proceed to read, sleep, clean up in the bathroom, surf the net, or just exhibit "crazy" behavior. One spring morning, I decided to have my "room of one's own" moment on the picturesque library steps, under an awning of blossoming trees. As I pulled my laptop open, a woman across the way pointed at me. I initially pointed to myself, using my hands to ask "you talking to me?" I checked my seat. Nothing weird on it or around it. I looked up--no pigeons. Then I ignored her, waiting for the angelic "ah" of my computer's on state; but she advanced, continuing to point.

"You sit there." She said a few times, until I realized I didn't want to wait to see what she would do if I did indeed continue to sit there. So I got up and scooted to the stacks across the street. I handed my bag over for inspection by a security guard before passing the check-out line and an old "read" poster of Daniel Radcliffe. Then I took my seat amongst a mix of people alternately tap-tapping at their laptops, guys playing computer games on old library machines, students sifting through stacks of research tomes, and homeless people. On one occasion, I was writing in the library after work, when I noticed a sketchy couple disappear into the bathroom together for a while, lovers-quarrelling in loud whispers when they finally emerged.

After sending a few tweets about my crazy/funny library experiences, my personal chuckle turned to panic. 

Between the old school check-out process, ancient library computers, and the homeless peeps, it became clear to me that we could lose the library. If libraries continue to remain a relic of my '80s childhood, and a de facto shelter, they could be the next casualty in the endless war to cut programs and services that benefit those who don't have libraries in their homes, or can't afford a venti latte at Starbucks. 

As I reread this, I feel like the woman in the park was warning me. "You sit there," she was saying, and watch what happens--or get up.    

Passion is Key!

by Donnice Peterson

Writing hasn’t always been my friend. All through high school, I HATED writing. However, when I entered my freshman year of college I realized I did enjoy writing--I just was not confident about my ability.

I made it my business to mold my craft of writing. I refused to let my insecurities thwart my chances of being the writer that I knew I had potential to be.  That is when I sought people who are professionals in the field of writing and who took the time to help me along my journey.

Through my short journey, one of the things I came to understand was that people don’t wake up being great writers. They continuously work at their craft; modifying their work to be better than the previous day.

I look at some of my favorite authors like Hill Harper and one thing I can truly identify is the passion he has for what he is doing. Each one of his books is based on topics he is passionate about. His book Letters to a Young Brother focuses on strengthening and building up young men. He believes imparting positive advice and inspiration into young men allows them to make the right decisions for a prosperous life. When you read his work you can feel what he felt when writing and how ardent he is about it. 

Passion is key for a successful writer. Hill Harper was able to get across how strongly he felt to his readers, one of the reasons I think his book is a bestseller. There has to be an undying fire that keeps the writer going, and it has to be transparent in their writing.

Hill Harper didn’t wake up and write a bestseller--he had to work at it. However, his passion is what kept him going.  Passion is what pushes the writer on those days where they think they cannot go any further. Passion is what makes not only the writer love their work but their readers as well.

As I grow and mature with my writing, I realize that I would not mind making a career out of it. Writing has become something I love and something that is a part of me. I live by the saying “if you can find something you love to do without getting paid, that is what you should make a career out of”.  This is what writing is to me and will continue to be.


[image courtesy of Flickr]

Meet My New Intern...

Hey Guys!

My name is Donnice Peterson I am an 18 year old incoming sophomore at Delaware State University. I am currently studying Public Relations and Advertising, in which I hope to make a future career out of. I  have a growing passion for writing, and I will continue to let it mature. One day I hope to freelance write for several magazines, preferably Ebony. My heart belongs to God, Family, Friends, and Fashion. And each day I incorporate my love for each thing into my work.

As Nana's intern I will learn how to successfully pitch a story to an editor, fact-check a story, use social media to promote a small business, and learn the ins and out of managing a small business. Each aspect of my internship will potentially help mold me as a writer and future editor. While learning I will also be assisting Nana by transcribing interviews, sending pitches to editors, creating blog posts, researching new social media sites for authors and much more. This will help me gain experience in this field while also serving as an assistant for Nana. I truly appreciate the experience and hope to grow along with Nana and her endeavors.