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.

The Foolishness of Belief

Yesterday I had the blessing to sit on a panel at the National Black Writers Conference, and the week before that, the honor to join authors Ayesha Harruna Attah and NoViolet Bulawayo in a conversation that was recorded for SaharaTV. In both sessions, and at many readings, lectures, panels and events I've attended or participated in, the same question came up: "What steps do you advise the aspiring writer take to enter the profession?"

It's a great question I don't think any writer really has the official answer to. One can advise all day long about joining a writing group or honing your craft or networking with the literary community -- good advice, by the way -- but i've decided what it really boils down to is the foolishness of belief.

When I examine my desire and ambition to become a published writer, I can only marvel at my own foolishness. I consider myself to be gifted when it comes to stringing words together in a pleasant way, but who am/was I to think my words deserved to be in print? Now that I have a little better understanding of the publishing industry and how it works, I can understand (sort of) why agent after agent rejected me for all those years before I ultimately got signed and sold my manuscript.

(from right to left) National Black Writers Conference Honorees Ishmael Reed, Dr. Howard Dodson, Ngugi Wa Thiong'o, student winner of poetry prize, poet Sonia Sanchez, student winner of fiction prize, board & staff members, South Africa's Poet Laureate Keorapetse Kgositsil, and NY1's Cheryl Wills

I am not a celebrity with instant name recognition or a massive following. Nor am I "connected" to anyone in the literary world. All I have are the stories in my mind and heart. And my belief in myself to write the stories I want to read; stories I believe others will be blessed by in some way shape or form.

So, in answer to the million dollar question about what steps to take to become a professional writer, the only advice I have is be foolish enough to believe you're good enough, that what you have to say matters. It starts there. Then, of course, you must focus on meeting the height of your belief.

For some it may take one letter to an agent who totally gets your voice, followed shortly thereafter by a substantial deal with a prominent publisher, sold film rights, etc. For one or two it will happen in some yet to be heard of way involving a yet to be invented app/social publishing tool for writers/etc. For most it will take a variation/combination of years of diligent study, getting into a prestigious MFA program, fastidious and constant honing of your craft, zealous and relentless networking, membership in multiple writing groups, voracious reading, building your social media followers numbers, etc.

Even if you are able to check every box twice, a literary agent and/or publisher may never sign you. You may have to self-publish and sell your books out the trunk of your car like Terry McMillan and E. Lynn Harris did. Through it all, whatever your path ends up becoming, you have to believe.

Faith is the only "formula" I know of that works. It will get you through the countless rejections you may face, the bad/mixed reviews your (finally!) published/self-published work will get, the sparse attendance at your readings, no one at your exhibitors table (the exhibitors table you spent $25 to $400 to reserve!), and slow sales. You need it when you're pitching and pushing month after month, year after year...

You may feel foolish at times, and question why you're even bothering, but in the end, when you come out on the other side of fulfillment no one will have to tell you it was worth it.

Happy April Fool's Day!

Watch American Idol or Start Book #3?

Forgive the February silence. It's been a crazy busy couple of weeks, but I am PSYCHED, RELIEVED, and ELATED to report I've finished my second novel. Now I'm in begging mode, foisting the manscript on a select sample group of kind souls who've agreed to read the thing and help me carve out the bits that don't need to be there anymore.

It's strange being finished. For the last three and a half years, I've traveled everywhere with my laptop, taking an hourlong bus ride to work (rather than a 35 minute train commute), and stealing what moments before work I could at the library so I could write uninterrupted for a blip of time. And now the community I've built (the bus drivers, the security guards who checked my bag on the way in and out of the library, the homeless people who rest up in the warmth and safety of the library...) is no longer part of my morning routine. I can sleep a little later, and read books again; watch every single American Idol audition episode as well as all of my other reality TV favorites without guilt.

Anyway, I was propelled to write today because it's Ghana's 55th Anniversary of Independence from British colonial rule (at least it was a few hours ago), and today the date coincided with Super Tuesday. The convergence of these momentous government-related events has me thinking about what you should do with Independence when you have it. What exactly is the responsibility of Independence?

Now that I've finished my second book, I wonder: should I be taking a mini-break -- or should I pound out the projects in my head, giving voice to the cast of characters alternately singing and soliloquizing in my mind? What about watching all of my DVR'd episode of '80's cartoon Jem and the Holograms? How mini is "mini"? Can I even afford a break at this stage of my career as an author?

My guess is that these are the questions you have in the rudimentary stages of Independence. I've been "independent" from writing Book #2 for 22 days now. Ghana has been Independent for 55 years; America for 236 years. The hope of course is that as my count of years progresses, I'll have figured out those answers for myself and moved on to new questions.

As a Ghanaian, I'm often a witness or participant in conversations about Ghana's level of progress since its globally celebrated Independence in 1957. What has the nation done with Independence? In my new book, I grappled with the question. As the first sub-Saharan African nation to wrestle Independence from the colonizer, Ghana was a benchmark for its neighbors and other colonies around the world, as 17 African nations became Independent three short years later.

But the growing pains of Independence quickly surfaced as euphoria devolved into disillusionment with internal and external forces creating a volatile climate of violence and paranoia that ultimately led to the coup of 1966 that ousted Nkrumah. Four more (successful) coups followed making 1992 (the year I was in Form Four at Mfantsiman Girls' Secondary School in Ghana) the first time Ghana had undergone a democratic election since 1981. Ghana continues to be held up as an example in Africa as we've had three peaceful exchanges of power since the 1992 elections, and the discovery of oil could translate into the chance to improve the economy for all. But again, as we have this chance at financial Independence, what is the best course to take?

I also look at America and what it has done with Independence. Over two hundred years after Washington wrestled independence from the ubiquitous Brits, what has it done? Like its former colonizer, it set about creating colonies or commonwealths of its own, even as it built itself on the backs of forced and indentured labor. Is Independence, once won, about encroaching on the Independence of others? Is that the only way to be successful?

I come back to: what is the responsibility of Independence? As an independent, Christian, Ghanaian-American woman, what am I supposed to be doing? What is my real responsibility to my faith, my family, my countries, myself? I guess the point of Independence is I have the freedom to turn these questions over in my mind, and the liberty to seek out the answers. There will inevitably be missteps and growing pains. That's just part of Independence. Ironically, dependence is part of Independence too, as we need the wisdom, lessons, and mentoring of those who have gone before us to partially inform our own success.

Anyhoo, I continue to muse on the above. Happy Ghanaian Independence Day, people!

I Hope You Can Make It!!

Here's what's coming up!

February 15th, 6p
HER WORD AS WITNESS Q&A with Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts (she wrote the NY Times-lauded Harlem is Nowhere) and me; moderated by Marva Allen.
Skylight Gallery
3rd fl
1368 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11216
718-636-6949
www.restorationplaza.org


March 31st, 11:45a-1:15p
“Migration and Cultural Memory in the Literature of Black Writers” panel discussion
THE ELEVENTH NATIONAL BLACK WRITERS CONFERENCE
Founders Auditorium on the campus of Medgar Evers College
1650 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11225
718-804-8883
www.nationalblackwritersconference.org
Honorees include Ishmael Reed, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Nikki Giovanni, and Dr. Howard Dodson

"Kindess is Always Fashionable" - Amelia Barr/Rachel Roy

Buy Rachel Roy's "Kindness" clutch to benefit Ghana-based charity OrphanAID Africa & receive a free copy of Powder Necklace


Happy NEW Year!! I know it's way too late to be asking about Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year's plans, but nonetheless, I hope you had a great set of holidays including Martin Luther King, Jr day! Mine were super relaxed and recharging, and now I can't believe we're actually 19 days into 2012.

Several months ago, I learned that designer Rachel Roy had created a clutch to benefit the charity OrphanAID Africa. This non-profit is dear to my heart because it works to address the issue of Ghanaian families who can't afford to take care of their kids. In Ghana, and in many so-called developing nations, poor families find themselves in a position where they feel they have no other option but to send their children to wealthier relatives/employers to work as servants (house girls, house boys, garden boys, etc). In some cases, these children are sent to orphanages. OrphanAID Africa supports families at this breaking point, offering financial assistance, job training, and other tools to help keep children at home with their families.

Actress Selma Blair has the "Kindness" clutch

In Powder Necklace, my character Enyo is an acknowledgment of this phenomenon, and in my upcoming book Maids and Mothers, I explore this issue more deeply. Perhaps I identify with this phenomenon so closely because I was sent to Ghana as a pre-teen. I was sent for different reasons, and pretty much pampered by my family; left alone to sulk about my desire to return to the States, but it still struck me deeply to see adolescents and teens working as household staff. As I've gotten older, it continues to bug me. I hate to think of money separating children from their parents and vice-versa.

Hilary Swank totes the clutch

To that end, I ordered a few of the Rachel Roy clutches--100% of the net profits went to OrphanAID--and decided to sell each with a free copy of my book. The clutches are $49; about 10" long, and divided into a small and big compartment inside that can fit a wallet, keys, lip gloss, and other similarly sized things. There's also an inscription inside that reads "For my kids in Ghana. [heart] Rachel Roy." If you're feeling the premise of OrphanAID Africa / admire Rachel Roy's work / need a cute spring/summer clutch / been meaning to pick up a copy of my book, you can satisfy all of the above on my website till the clutches run out.

Rachel Roy with the clutch she designed to benefit OrphanAID Africa