MOTIVATION

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

I went to see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty last Friday.  It was a great movie.  The main character, Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) was a man whose life seemed to stand still after the loss of his father. Instead of living life to the fullest as his father would have wanted him to, Mitty lives his life through his action-filled, colorful imagination.  He gets so caught up in his ruminations that he is oblivious to what’s going on around him. 

Mitty’s courage to take a “leap of faith” doesn’t come about until he meets the woman of his dreams.  Her appearance in his life, a milestone birthday and a special message from an important colleague, motivates him to do things he would never have done in the past.  It forced him to think about how his life was progressing – or not progressing LOL.  The movie was inspirational and moving.  Mitty’s character was motivated to do more, because eventually he realizes that he wants to be more than he has become.  And it made me wonder, what motivates a person to write?

Let’s be realistic, I doubt that even the most seasoned writer knows what they want to say all the time.  Even the Rowling’s and Meyer’s of the world have had a moment when they’ve struggled with a scene or found it hard to give a certain character a voice. 

When you write are you compelled to write because something has motivated you to do so?  And if that is the case, what was it?

Is it the approaching New Year and your determination to have something tangible before you by a self-imposed deadline?  Did you see or experience something that inflamed your imagination and gave you ideas for an awesome article, short story or book?  Did a certain song trigger a memory, something that you haven’t thought of in years?  Have you come to the realization that you’ve run out of excuses?  Or are you just tired of saying “I’m writing a book” and yet you are still in the same place you were six months before?

Once we get there, once we’ve starting writing, how do we keep going?  How do we keep the creative juices flowing?  A friend of mine has decided to join a writer’s group.  She has already written her story, but she feels like there maybe something missing.  The story has been edited more than once and she has received a lot of positive feedback.  But she doesn’t understand the rejections she gets from agents and publishers.  It is her hope, that this group will help her see what’s missing or give her even more ideas for her book. She has been motivated to do more by take additional steps towards her future. 

Motivation can come in so many ways.  But it’s up to you to decide the best way to utilize it.  A muse, an emotion, an idea, a painting? What among them helps you create? Are you doing it for yourself or for someone else? Will your book be a gift to another?

I find that motivation can change throughout the writing process.  Our momentum can increase or decrease depending on how far along we’ve gotten. You may have become frustrated because nothing seems to sound right.  And the reams of paper you’ve gone through are embarrassing to admit to.

You may find it hard to stay motivated, because you’ve been writing for years, and you’ve had no luck.  How do you keep positive? How do you not give up? As a new writer, who has just started drinking from that well, I must say it definitely leaves a bad taste in your mouth. LOL!  But you know what, it’s too early in the game for me to give up and I hope you intend to do the same.  Motivate yourself to be the best writer you can be. Associate yourself with people who will motivate you and you them.  It’s hard to stay positive when you surround yourself with people who don’t want the best for you.

There’s a quote that I believe is fitting for today’s message:

“Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”    

-Golda Meir-

I hope this quote motivates you as much as it motivates me!

E ku odun tuntun

Happy New Year!

S-

*****

Thanks for visiting ‘Amachi is Hope.’ If you were inspired or felt a connection with today’s blog post (or any of my previous entries) please leave a comment. J

RESOLUTE IN 2014

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

On Saturday night, I attended my firm’s Christmas party.  I went there with low expectations.  I believed I would be walking into a corporate cocktail party. You know those “wine and cheese” gatherings; all fake smiles and boring conversation. Sort of like what I’ve experienced in the past.  Imagine my surprise and pleasure when my hubby and I walked in on a jamming live band, great food and drinks.

You would think that in such a relaxed atmosphere, that more people would have been willing to dance. But no, out of the hundred or so people that attended only fifteen of us danced at one time or another.  Wallflowers verses the courageous ones LOL.  As I was dragged onto the dance floor for the umpteenth time, I looked around at the people on the outside looking in.  And it made me think about the journey I’ve been on in 2013.

At one time or another, I was just like the wallflowers at the party.  Either too scared to take a step forward or too concerned about how others would perceive me. I’m proud to say that I was a risk taker in 2013.  I took chances that I would never have taken in the past.  I put myself forward, reached out and introduced myself and Amachi to the masses.  I created this blog, I’ve done author interviews on other blogs, and I even entered a writing contest or two.

Yes, I also had some setbacks (publisher and agent rejections) but what writer hasn’t had setbacks?  It is well known that the path to publishing is a tumultuous one.  Only the truly lucky are able to avoid the twist and turns.

There are only a few days left in the year and there’s still time left for the unexpected to happen to you.  You might get that “email” or “phone call” that will be taking you down a new and exciting road in 2014. You may have “finally” caught the eye of an agent or publisher.  Your short story or article is going to be published.  An illustrator, who you could never afford, has offered to do the cover of your book.  You may have even found the perfect editor to help you get on the road to publishing perfection.

What have you done family?  What experiences have you had in 2013.  I’ve been sharing my experiences with you and I would love to hear about yours.  Have you been published?  Have you experienced disappointments?  Have you finally found the courage to write the book of your dreams? I would love hear your story!

I am resolute.  I am determined.  In 2014 I will bring myself that much closer to publishing Amachi’s Hope.  Will I be published?  Well only the cards and god’s will (depending on which you believe in) will decide.  But I will not just stand by and wait for something to be handed to me.  I will take it for myself.

It is said that the meek will not inherit the earth.  Don’t be an outsider looking in.  Don’t let the world pass you by.  Step up, take chances, and let 2014 be the year of your awakening!  I hope that you will reach out to me and share your experiences in the New Year! 

Mari e laipe!

See you soon! 

S-

*****

Thanks for visiting ‘Amachi is Hope.’ If you were inspired or felt a connection with today’s blog post (or any of my previous entries) please leave a comment. J

I AM A WRITER

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

Angela is at a cocktail party. She runs into a bunch of former classmates from college.  Everyone’s tooting their horns, talking about all they’ve accomplished or what their spouses have accomplished through the years. Some not even bothered by the fact that they’ve ridden someone else’s coat tails to get to their current station in life.

“I’ve recently been promoted to Director of blah, blah, blah.”

“John is now head of surgery at the hospital of blah, blah, blah.”

“I am now head partner at BLAH, BLAH, and BLAH!”

I’m barely listening to what everyone’s saying because I know that the conversation will soon rest on me.  Soon I will have to share what I do for a living.  And after all these years, I’m still not sure what to say.

You see I am a writer. I am a writer but I’ve never introduced myself as such.  (At least not outside a writer’s venue.) I’ve published articles, short stories and I am proud to say that I’ve written and finished my first book.  You say, “What’s wrong with you?  If you’ve done all of that, why haven’t you introduced yourself as a writer?” That’s a good question.

I guess my issue is the fact that I haven’t “published” my book yet.  I feel like my journey won’t be truly complete until my book is on the shelf.  When I can walk up to the nearest Barnes and Noble or local book store and see my book proudly displayed in the window. Or my book has become "the" discussion piece at a writer’s conference. (Positive thinking LOL!) I know it may seem silly.  But there are those who feel that I have no right to say I’m a “writer” when my book has not been published.

Even now with publishing being a multi-million dollar industry, influenced by so many genres, my work is not considered “serious” literature.  ‘You are not a real writer,’ they say, ‘if you haven’t written works worthy of C.S. Lewis, Jane Austen, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Maya Angelou, Alexandre Dumas, or a James Baldwin.’  Goodness if I compared myself them and the many other great authors out there, I would never have found the courage to write anything.

And yet with everything I’ve done, when the conversation finally settled on me, I said, “Well I’m a legal secretary at a firm in D.C. but I’m currently working on getting my book published.”  I guess in comparison it may not seem like much to them. I get a lukewarm, “Wow Angela that’s great…” And then the next dreaded question, pops up its head. “So what is it about?” asks one of the women of the group. “Romance.” I respond.  Silence.  I could say more, I should say more, but this happens so often that I no longer have the energy to defend myself.  Pitiful isn’t it?

“Well that’s just great. I barely have time to read anymore and when I do I don’t want to read something that will require me to think!” She chuckles out loud.  Hold on.  Did she just imply that my work would not require her to think?! Ugh!

Suddenly, I hear the voice of one of my writing colleague’s in my head.  For years, she has been on me, pushing me to stand up for myself, to defend all the awesome work I’ve done.

‘Come on Angela, have you already forgotten what that critic said about your short story last year? ‘Angela Thompson is one of the most intelligent, expressive, and creative writers I’ve come across in a long while. I’m impatiently waiting to see what she will bring to the table next!’  You my dear Angela, should be doing more than tooting your horn, you should be running your train full throttle, with your horns blaring!’

Covering my mouth with my hand, I stifled a giggle.  My old classmates looked at me weirdly.  Once again, I missed what was being said.  “Actually, Melanie,” I spoke up bravely, “My work has been hailed by a number of critics and I’ve recently been approached by a publisher!”  Taken aback, Melanie surprised me when she responded, “I am proud of you Angela.  It takes a lot of gumption to do what you have done.  I could never have become a writer.  Maybe I should have paid more attention during Composition and Rhetoric!” Everyone laughed out loud. “Thanks Melanie, I appreciate that!”

I am a writer.  It’s time that I introduce myself as such.

***

I’m not as accomplished as Angela is, but I do agree that it can be hard to introduce yourself to strangers or to people who don’t truly know you as “A Writer.” I realize that it’s an issue that I need to get over.  When you dedicate years of your life towards one goal, the creation of a piece of literature that’s truly important to you, then why not introduce yourself as a writer?  If you have a blog, or you’ve self-published your book, doesn’t that make you a writer?

When we are born, we are given a name. Our name acknowledges, proves and gives credence to the fact that we exist and we are now a new member of the human race.  The same can be said when you call yourself a writer.  It gives power to all you have done and what you will continue to do.

Have you found yourself in a situation where you’re not quite sure how to introduce yourself when asked?  Are you in another field but you are ‘writing’ on the side?  Or are you a writer and everything else is secondary?  Regardless of the venue, I hope to find the courage to introduce myself as the writer I am.  And let the chips fall where they may.

Are you ready?

Mari e laipe!

See you soon! 

S-

*****

Thanks for visiting ‘Amachi is Hope.’ If you were inspired or felt a connection with today’s blog (or any of my previous entries) please leave a comment. J

LEGACY

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for

a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013)

It is with a heavy heart and great respect that I acknowledge the death of one of the greatest men in South African and African American history. Called home at the age of 95, Mr. Mandela accomplished after much sacrifice (27 years of imprisonment), the end of apartheid in South Africa.  A goal that seemed impossible; the country was ravaged with racism, hate and inequality.

Nelson Mandela. He was so many things to so many people. A father, son, husband, leader, politician, revolutionary, anti-apartheid activist, first black president of South Africa, the list is diverse. During his tenure as president he brought forth a new constitution for South Africa which was an essential part of the negotiations conducted to end apartheid. In addition, he was bestowed over 250 honors in his lifetime.  Among them was the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, “. . . for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa." 

One of my greatest regrets was not seeing him when he visited New York City and spoke at Yankee Stadium in 1990.  David Dinkins was mayor at the time and I was still in high school.  I cannot remember why I did not attend (it was likely impossible to get in or near the stadium) but I do remember a classmate saying how moved and emotional she was upon seeing him.  She could not stop her tears from falling. Imagine the power and energy that surrounded him.  It must have been immeasurable.

Nelson Mandela has left behind an awesome legacy. Not just to his family, but to the people of South Africa and to the world.  His death has forced us to re-evaluate our responsibility as people of color, as people period.  To understand that we have an obligation to teach our youth about the kind of people they should endeavor to become. To be the human race, not races divided. To acknowledge that there is nothing that they cannot achieve.  Strength, character and courage can be found within us all. Do not settle for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living! Amandla! Power! Recognize it!

Mari e laipe.

See you soon.  

S-

*****

Thanks for visiting ‘Amachi is Hope.’ If you were inspired or felt a connection with today’s blog (or any of my previous entries) please leave a comment. J

BLACK THEMED

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

Last Monday, I finally saw The Best Man Holiday.  As a big fan of The Best Man I must say that the second movie had me pulling out tissues, it was great! J Director Malcolm D. Lee of The Best Man, The Best Man Holiday and other well received movies, said the following regarding the new movie:

“. . . to call The Best Man Holiday a “race-themed” film is extremely limiting and downright ignorant and tiresome.  I think people are fed up with being categorized as separate and apart from what mainstream movies are categorized as. The notion that there’s a “black movie,” “urban movie,” or a “race-themed’ movie makes the film sound like it’s not for anyone but the people that look like the actors in the poster. It’s extremely limiting… I think it’s ignorant and it’s tiresome at this point. The movie was enjoyed by African-Americans, but it’s a movie that can be enjoyed by all races.”

Once again the term “othering” has reared its ugly head.  You remember that word, any action by which an individual or group becomes mentally classified in somebody’s mind as “not one of us”.  This movie has been placed in the category of movies for “black people” instead of being seen for what it really is.  An awesome story, about friends that share history and a connection that kept them linked through the years.  No matter what the race, we all share a common bond.  We are of the human race and as humans we are capable of experiencing the same, if not similar occurrences, events, or encounters throughout our lives.  We are born, we live our lives and then god calls us home.

Can we seriously sit here and say that because Malcolm lives in Harlem, New York and Alexei lives in Russia that they can’t break up with their girlfriends for the same reason? Can we actually say that Li Na in China and Afua in West Africa would never understand what it’s like to have a cheating boyfriend because they live in different parts of the world? Give me a break!

Unfortunately, if you’ve grown up with certain believes, it’s hard to break them.  “A place for everything and everything in its place.”  Categorizing is a habit. It’s sort of like all the drama that occurred with Ms. Deen early this year.  Many people were extremely offended by what she said, but I do believe that part of her attitude towards race is based on how she grew up.  If this was all you knew, and no one ever took the time to correct you, then you have no way of knowing that what you say may be offensive to others.  In her mind, race was placed in its own category.

There is a wall that will always separate us.  Within that wall you will always find issues with religion, culture, history, and so forth.  On top of this wall is race.  We look over it, we look past it, and we even look through it.  And yet people fail to realize that it’s one of the main reasons why we find it so hard to connect.   Why we sometimes find it difficult to relate to one another.

Drama, angst, betrayal, sex, and hilarity were prevalent in both Best Man movies. Each of us can think back to at least one time in our lives where we’ve experienced (or one of our friends has undergone) something similar to what happened in those movies.  Commonality is shared between us all whether we want to admit it or not. Food for thought fam!

Mari e laipe!

See you soon!

  

S-

*****

Thanks for visiting ‘Amachi is Hope.’ If you were inspired or felt a connection with today’s blog (or any of my previous entries) please leave a comment. J

EMOTIONS

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

Love, Hate, Fear, Happiness.  What does it take to write about emotions?  What does it take to be able to use words to express emotion? To get a reader to feel and understand a character’s pain, anxiety, joy, exhilaration you name it. Does one have to personally experience an emotion in order to write about?

 

I remember reading a story where one of the main characters was a writer.  The character was famous and had published many books.  In a review written by a critic in the story, the character was accused of being incapable of creating a true love scene.  He said that he did not think that the author had ever been in love.  He wondered if the character had ever experienced real heartbreak or had ever been separated from a great love.  He said the love scene was bland, lukewarm at best.  And until he truly experiences it: all encompassing, I can’t breathe without you, my life is over if you are not with me love, he will never be able to truly express it on paper. Goodness… Can you imagine a critic saying that about you? We pour our heart and emotions into writing. The last thing we need is to be told that we are lacking.

I’m not sure I completely agree with the critic’s view.  You can witness an individual’s pain.  You may have witnessed someone’s grief when they received bad news.  You can witness a person’s joy.  My friend was in the birthing room with her sister the day that her niece was born.  You can witness tension.  I did the day my son came home after getting in trouble at school. J

But I do agree that life experiences bring something more to a story; a way of connecting with a reader on a higher level.  Say you write a book about your experiences as a child of divorced parents. You’d want the reader to see the break up through your eyes.  To understand the anger, frustration or fear that a child would experience when their parents go their separate ways. God forbid one of them gets remarried. “What about me? I thought I was daddy’s little girl or daddy’s best man? Why do I have to talk to her? Why do I have to share my daddy with her? Doesn’t anyone care about how I feel? He’s having a new baby?!” Just from a few questions, you can feel, imagine and maybe even visualize the hurt, pain or frustration a young girl or boy would feel if she or he was placed in such a situation.

Writing about emotion and doing it right can be just as difficult as writing about a different culture.  You may feel like you’re swimming in Dungeness waters; walking on a path that’s unknown to you.  If you are writing about someone else’s experiences; how they felt when it happened, you want to do it justice.  No one wants to be told that their written recollection of someone else’s emotions or their idea of how a person should feel in a situation, is bland or lukewarm at best J

The better you get at building your skill, the more you understand that there are words that give that “extra punch” to a scene.  A shrug of a shoulder, a roll of an eye, a sigh, a clench of a fist.  Sometimes body gestures say just as much as words.  Then there are emotions that occur from within. “Carol could feel it. A flutter in her stomach; a tightening in her chest. She wrapped her arms around her torso; hoping to protect herself.  Carol sucked her teeth in disgust. Why did this have to happen every time she saw him? He’s married for goodness sake! It has been 10 years and nothing has changed.” From those few lines, the reader experiences the character’s nervousness, vulnerability, irritation and longing.  It’s obvious that she harbors feelings for another character, but she hates the way it makes her feel. J

Have you written an emotional scene in your book? Does it call out to the reader?  If you are not sure, ask someone you trust to read it over and have them give you their opinion.  I’ve done this with great results in the past.

Mari e laipe!

See you soon!  

S-

*****

Thanks for visiting ‘Amachi is Hope.’ If you were inspired or felt a connection with today’s blog (or any of my previous entries) please leave a comment. J

AMACHI'S HOPE - STATUS

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

Amachi’s journey continues! I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to do another interview; this time with the blog DiversifYA. www.diversifya.com/ DiversifYA is an awesome blog that addresses diversity in writing (YA and other genres) and the experiences that come with it.  They want to give writers the courage to write outside their comfort zone.  If you’ve already taken steps to do just that, they want to share your story. Most importantly DiversifYA wants people to know that there is more to the world than what you and I see and hear each day.  

Please check out my interview.  I would love hear your comments!
http://www.diversifya.com/cultural-and-ethnic/diversifya-sharon-mitchell/

Mari e laipe!

See you soon!

S-

*****

Thanks for visiting ‘Amachi is Hope.’ If you were inspired or felt a connection with today’s blog (or any of my previous entries) please leave a comment. J

MCoC IN SCI-FI/ FANTASY

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

My husband and I watched Will Smith’s After Earth earlier this week.  Though the movie was not what I expected, the one thing I really appreciated was that there was not just one, but two Main Characters of Color.  Will Smith and his son Jaden.  This was the first time I’ve seen, two leading men of color in a sci-fi movie and it made me wonder:  How often do you see a MCoC in a sci-fi or fantasy based movie?

Now I am not an obsessed follower of everything science-fiction and fantasy.  But the two actors that come to mind that have played a MCoC in a sci-fi or fantasy based movie are: Vin Diesel in Pitch Black, The Chronicles of Riddick, Babylon, A.D., and the upcoming Riddick. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was lead in The Scorpion King, and will be lead in the upcoming Hercules.

With women, the numbers seem nonexistent.  Besides Zoe Saldana’s recent role as Nyota Uhura in Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness, I would quicker find women of color in television roles.  Characters such as my girl Jasika Nicole as Astrid Farnsworth in Fringe (if you haven’t seen it, it’s a series worth watching), Gina Torres as Zoe Washburne in Firefly, and Michelle Rodriguez as Ana Lucia Cortez in Lost.

Most of the time, when you do find a character of color in a sci-fi/fantasy based movie they are playing a co-star or a guest role. They may die early in the movie or play a role that’s less than appealing. 

Recently, Beyoncé played a character of color but not as herself.  She was the mother-nature like queen in the Blue Sky Studios animated movie Epic. Her character died within the first few minutes of the movie. (Sigh) There was also Anika Noni Rose as Tiana in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog.  She played the voice of the princess in the movie and starts off as a young, struggling waitress with aspirations of becoming a restaurateur. Originally the character was created as chambermaid. This drew a lot criticism from African-American critics.  Another issue that caused criticism of the movie was that the black villain in the movie was a voodoo witchdoctor.  Thankfully her character survived in this movie. LOL.

I believe Will’s star power had a big hand in the creation of After Earth. It makes me wonder if anyone was brazen enough to tell him that he could not make himself and his son the main characters of the movie. I hope he understood the importance of this movie.  Not the movie itself, but what it meant to have two main characters of color that did not die within the first few minutes of the movie! LOL! There are not a lot of father son stars out there that are men of color (or mother daughter duos for that matter) but I hope this movie has opened the door to more movies such as these.  Smart move Mr. Smith, smart move!

** I should have also mentioned Halle Berry in Cloud Atlas. As lead female character of color, she played six different roles.

Mari e laipe!
See you soon!  

S-

*****

Thanks for visiting ‘Amachi is Hope.’ If you were inspired or felt a connection with today’s blog (or any of my previous entries) please leave a comment. J

COLLEAGUE OR COMPETITOR

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

Last Friday at 5:00 p.m., I was standing at the corner waiting for my bus to arrive.  Looking up, my eyes were drawn to the different names of companies that currently have offices in my vicinity.  Among them are law firms.  Most of these firms house attorneys that practice in the same or similar areas of the law.  Through my years in this field, I’ve noticed that attorneys tend to extend a certain level of professional courtesy when dealing with one another.  There are rules that are enforced by the court and some that are not.  But there are a few attorneys (though it’s not something you hear a lot about) who choose not to offer professional courtesy and decide that it would be easier to “step on a few toes” to get to the top.  This left me wondering: In the world of writing, are we colleagues or are we competitors?

I mean when you think about it, it’s impossible to know the actual number of authors in the world.  They are separated in so many different ways. Published, unpublished, fiction, non-fiction, romance, fantasy, you name it. Everyday someone new comes onto the scene, hoping to break through and become the next best thing.  They compete with authors who have been out there for a long time.  Some are famous, some are just waiting for the right opportunity, and some may not be discovered at all. (No negativity impliedJ)

In addition, they compete for the attention of publishers and literary agents hoping that their query will be the key to opening the door to a new career. Agents and publishers receive thousands of queries each year.  They sift through manuscripts written by individuals who are also interested in your genre of choice.  You may be competing with someone who’s more eloquent than you.  He/she may already have a foot hold with an agent they met at a recent writer’s conference. Let’s not even think about the person who has a literary agent reaching out to publishers on their behalf. Basically, whatever you write better be a cut above the rest.

With so many possible roadblocks out there, how can we be colleagues and not competitors?  With all the insanity going on, it is quite easy to forget our true purpose.  What is this purpose you ask?  When you look at the big picture, an author’s purpose is to entertain and/or educate a reader.  If you haven’t already figured it out, writers serve a great purpose in this world.

In the past, people who told stories were greatly respected. At a time when there was no such thing as television or radio, a minstrel, bard, griot, spinner of yarns, fabler, or even a troubadour shared or created (with embellishment and color) stories about our past. Generation to generation this skill was passed on (some even believed that this ability was inherited through the blood) until our ancestors began writing their stories on walls, or papyrus, using cuneiform, hieroglyphics or other forms of language to get their message across.

In the present, you have to wonder if the real purpose of writing has been lost.  Do we do it because we want to some how benefit the human race?  To amuse or teach a young child?  To help teenagers open a door to a new universe? To introduce a recluse to the world awaiting them outside their door? Or is it all about financial gain?

Don’t get me wrong, I would LOVE to be able to dedicate my time to writing and not the 9 to 5 that most of us face each day.  But would I lose something in the process? As colleagues, not competitors we want to be able to teach one another.  To give a helping hand to those of us who are struggling; to point each other in the right direction. The writing community is a big part of what makes us the writers we are or what we hope to become in the future. 

There is a lot of money to be made in literature.  But I hope that we (that being writers and the powers that be) don’t forget the true purpose of writing. Let’s work towards being colleagues on a higher level and competitors on a lesser level. J

Mari e laipe!

See you soon!

S-

*****

Thanks for visiting ‘Amachi is Hope.’ If you were inspired or felt a connection with today’s blog (or any of my previous entries) please leave a comment.J

THE BEGINNING

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

“Come on down and get a free turkey with any seventy-five dollar purchase!” said the booming voice. “Hurry, supplies are limited and Thanksgiving …” 

Olivia leaned forward and switched off the little, black AM/FM radio on the counter beside her. Getting up, she made herself walk away from the sturdy little table, chair and laptop that have been her closest friends for the last few years.  Reaching up towards the ceiling of her quaint apartment in Noho, Liv stretched long and hard. She strolled over to the living room window and pushed back the beige curtain that blocked her view to the active street below.  It was 2:00 a.m. on a Saturday night and the city was just as busy as it was at 5:00 p.m. that afternoon. 

Smiling to herself, Liv laughed out loud and hugged herself tightly. “The final period at the end of the last sentence has been written. It is done.” she whispered.  After three years, Olivia’s 450 page masterpiece (according to her) was finished.  All the characters in her head were brought to life on paper. Closing her eyes, she could clearly visualize what they would look like. If she concentrated, she could even hear how they would sound.  Her characters were given names and they originated from someplace outside this universe. She knew their personalities, fears, hopes and dreams.  And now (with much trepidation and not a little selfishness) she needed to share them with the world. 

***** 

Olivia remembered that night like it was yesterday. It has been six years to the day, since she finished her very first book. 

 

She was full of hope, anxiety and a touch of hubris.  Olivia believed that her story was one of a kind and when the publishing industry caught a whiff of it, she would be an overnight success. Olivia laughed when she thought of it. She wasn’t sure if it was confidence or conceit that pushed her on. Liv got up one day and decided that she had a story to tell. Slowly but surely she turned into a hermit.  Her life consisted of work, libraries, home and an occasional dinner with her parents.  This was only after her mom bombarded her with guilt. “We rarely see you anymore!” her mother would complain. 

Her cousin, Lorraine saw her writing as temporary. A stage in Liv's life that Lo did not take seriously. “Liv you are too young to be going through a midlife crisis, so what is this really all about? How are you going to meet the guy of your dreams if you are cooked up in here all the time?” She queried while looking around Liv's apartment with disdain. No matter where she looked or walked, there were stacks of books and paper everywhere.

Lo tried everything.  Blind dates, double dates, Liv never showed up for any of them.  After a while, Lo started to take offense.  Liv was so caught up in her writing that it was months before she realized that Lo had stopped calling.  She felt bad but relieved at the same time.  She had no time for dating nor was she interested.  Everyday a new idea would emerge.  On her way home from work, she’d jot them down in a cute fuchsia colored pad that she kept in her purse.  Once home, Liv’s ideas would flow from her fingertips and into the computer.  Liv’s family thought that her writing was bordering on insanity. To Liv it was an intense and special time in her life. 

***** 

It has been a little less than a year since her cousin Lorraine surprised her by taking her to the Afrofuturism Authors New Year’s Eve Gala.  The one person, who did not seem to believe in her, became her number one fan and supporter. That soiree changed her life.  Afterwards, she was asked to do interviews with a number of magazines. She made appearances on a few radio shows and received even more opportunities to show case her talents. But today her dreams were about to become a reality. Two publishers who specialize in speculative YA have shown an interest in her.  

Olivia's hands shook a little as she placed a copy of her manuscript into two overnight packages. Leaving her apartment, Liv flew down the stairs, out the door and into the brisk, autumn air. Taking a deep steadying breath, Liv walked towards a Fed Ex container just as the driver made his last pick-up for the evening.  Increasing her pace, she ran towards him and placed the envelopes in his hand. With a quick nod of his head, he drove off to his next destination leaving Liv standing at the curb. 

“Well, there’s no turning back now!” Liv said to herself.  Shaking off her fear of the unknown, Liv strolled back to her apartment and to her next adventure. 

***** 

We all have our beginnings.  How many times have you found yourself starting something new?  Or better yet, starting something all over again? A project, a race, your book? It doesn’t mean that you've failed.  It just means taking another path to reach your goal. If you read Olivia’s first story, you will know that she struggled long and hard before she reached this point. The light at the end of the tunnel may seem far away, but it is reachable.  

If this is your first time here and you would like to know more about Olivia, check out my entry, “Why do you write?” 

Mari e laipe!

See you soon!

S-

*****

Thanks for visiting ‘Amachi is Hope.’ If you were inspired or felt a connection with today’s blog (or any of my previous entries) please leave a comment. J

COURAGE

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

The Obamas met with Malala Yousafzai a few weeks ago.  Everything that she endured, the strength and heart that it took for her to walk that road to recovery, is the epitome of what it means to have courage.  It is obvious that the universe has a plan for her and I cannot wait to see what she will become.

When we witness such an emergence, such a will to endure, can we really sit by and say that we cannot write? I know it’s unfair to make such a comparison.  I mean this young lady was at death’s door and yet here she is.  The survivor within her forced her move forward.

In comparison to her experience, writing should be a piece of cake.  We should take our obstacles off the shelf, examine them, and then put them back. By doing so we will no longer give them the power to deter us from our goals.  We know that the obstacles will always be there, but we now have the courage to move pass them.

We all write for different reasons. There are those that write just for the fun of it. Those that write because they must. (God forbid you flunk your thesis). And those that write because it’s a passion, a calling, a yearning in their blood that cannot be ignored.

As I mentioned in one of my earlier blog entries, life can be a big deterrent when it comes to writing.  But it’s a poor excuse not to.  I have a friend that’s struggling right now.  And yet as bad as it is for her, there are some who have it worst. Homelessness, poverty, hunger, you name it.  Sometimes, I have to check myself when I get in one of my ‘shoulda, woulda, coulda’ moods.  You know the kind. It’s when you look at the direction your life has taken, wonder about the choices you've made and whether you should have done “something” differently in the past. 

Well if you have suffered or are suffering from the ‘Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda’ Syndrome; make your writing the key to pushing pass it.  Make writing a new stage in your life.  So when you look back at all that you have achieved, you will be proud to say that you had the courage to do it.  Be the person who had the courage to talk to that guy or girl. J Be the person who had the courage to start on a new career path.  Be the person who says “yes” instead of “no” all the time. Just be. Small steps are just as grand as big steps.

Even writing and maintain a blog takes courage.  It doesn’t matter if you’ve been doing it for years or you’ve just started.  You are sharing your opinions with people who may or may not care to hear it.

Perhaps you are at the end of your saga. You have no more revisions to be made, your query and synopsis have been finalized, and you’ve even created the perfect marketing tool to promote your book. You no longer have an excuse. Drop that package in the mail; email that agent or publisher.  If you’ve written something out of the ordinary, you may be just the person to clear the way for those that follow.  I hope that this post has given you something to chew on. J

Mari e laipe!

See you soon!  

S-

*****

Thanks for visiting ‘Amachi is Hope’. If you were inspired or felt a connection with today’s blog (or any of my previous entries) please leave a comment. J

MULTICULTURALISM AND “US”

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

What is multiculturalism?  There are a number of definitions for the word.  But the one I think is most fitting to this discussion is the one I found on Metapedia:  “… social ideology which asserts that all cultures, races and religions are equal and able to live with harmony within a single state.”  Wouldn’t it be nice if such a philosophy truly existed in our world? A combined effort to live as Martin Luther King would have wanted us to live?  Unfortunately, the ongoing conflict that occurs between us doesn’t seem to have an end in sight. But it’s not just a black and white thing.

I mean multicultural issues exist everywhere, you just don’t hear as much about them. It’s between some Puerto Ricans and Dominicans (growing up in NY, I’ve witness some tension). The Chinese and Japanese (for some it is considered an insult to confuse the two), and even between my own West Indian people (alot of people are guilty of placing islands in the West Indies under the umbrella of Jamaica without realizing how different they are: dialect, food, where they are located on the map J.) Why do so many of us suffer from othering?  Why must we exclude ourselves from others because they don’t fit into our idea of what society should be?

When Spike-Lee started the “Wannabee’s vs. Jiggaboo’s” drama in the movie School Daze in 1998, I would never have thought to look at the battle between good hair and bad hair as form of “othering” but it was.  Women who were of the same race were insulting one another on the quality of their hair. But in actuality (and this is my opinion), it was really about the battle between light and dark skinned women of color. Even now this mentality is stronger than ever. A lot of dark skinned women have been made to feel inferior because of the color of their skin.  See the Dark Girls documentary.

There was even “othering” on the television show LOST.  You fans remember the OTHERS?  Those seriously unstable people on the other side of the island? LOL! Though the word “OTHERS” in LOST had darker connotations, the idea behind it was the same; a separation of a group of people due to fear, ignorance, and/or lack of knowledge.

You even find issues with othering in publishing. I wholeheartedly agree with Tanita S. Davis of the blog [fiction, instead of lies] in regards to multicultural issues in publishing. She says and I quote:

… “People’s attitude about race and ethnicity in this country are as fractured as ever, and are reflected in the production of multicultural books. We don’t truly believe we’re all alike and sisters under the skin. We really do think – and it shows – that there are stories of “us” and then there are “others.” We need to stop othering, as a world, before we expect to see that from publishing. We need to get to know people from other cultures and skin colors, and truly accept that there is a commonality in the human experience.”….

Well said!  This is definitely food for thought.

 

Mari e laipe!

See you soon!

S-