February is Black History Month. What better time to think about writing your story? In February we officially honor African American trailblazers. Prominent among those honored are writers. Writers like Frederick Douglass, born into slavery, a man who put language at his command. Douglass used words as an orator and a writer to change his personal history and in support of societal change for us all.  We honor Zora Neale Hurston, best-known as the author of the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. But Hurston was also an anthropologist, whose groundbreaking field work in the American South, Haiti and the Caribbean shaped the future of anthropology. We look at and interpret history, the past and the present in a much more complex and rich way, because of the contributions of Douglass and Hurston. To paraphrase lines from a poem by the  Persian bard Rumi, they went in the direction where there was no direction, and there they found themselves and all of us at the end of their journey.

If you write, your story could make history too. I invite you to consider my February I Want to Write workshop, which will open doors to new levels of creativity no matter your passion or primary endeavor.

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Thank You

I’m always reading and currently I’m finishing On The Line, Serena Williams’ autobiography. The world’s number one women’s tennis player tells a fascinating and compelling story of her rise. Like all good stories, at it’s center is a strong main character who gets us on her side rooting for her. I found it especially interesting that despite her God-given talent, drive, training and enormous ambition, Serena talks in the book of regularly using affirmations and positive self-talk to keep her focused and winning and playing her best. She also writes about how she focuses much more on herself and her game when she is facing an opponent than figuring out the other player’s weaknesses or strengths. At one point she says “The more I play the better I play.”Productive writers do all the things Serena talks about in her book. They think positively, focus on themselves and not what other writers are doing and they write a lot, in order to become better writers. I’m sure Serena would endorse my suggestions for flipping that annoying negative self-talk about what you can or can’t do as a writer into a positive conversation. We’re heading into the end of the year and thinking about a new year with new possibilities. What better time to revise that tape playing in your head?

~ I don’t have the talent to write becomes
I have all the skill, and creativity I need to tell my story

~ It will take too long, it will be to difficult to complete this writing project becomes
I have infinite patience with the realization of my writing goals and I will overcome anything I perceive as an obstacle to my success

~ I don’t have the material or spiritual support I need to write becomes
All the people, ideas and resources to support my writing life are made manifest in my life

Marita

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Marita Golden Honored with a Street Sign

Marita Golden was honored recently as part of the unveiling of the Columbia Heights Heritage Trail in Washington, DC.  Marita is cited on this sign for her literary achievements. The sign is located at 14th and Harvard Street, NW which is where Marita grew up.

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Articles – Interviews & More

A Black Woman Writer in Israel: My Own Piece of the Middle East
Marita talks with E. Ethelbert Miller about her trip as a literary and cultural ambassador to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Grandmothers Unplugged: The pleasures and perils of being a grandmother

“Eye of My Heart,” a book of essays by 27 grandmothers whose experiences are as varied as their grandchildren, teaches us that this role brings with it a whole new set of rewards, challenges, and questions. Among the contributors Marita Golden writes an essay inspired by her 4 year old grandson, called “Angel Baby.”

Get a glimpse into the world of the modern grandmother as Marita is interviewed by the book’s editor, Barbara Graham.

Marita Golden’s Writing Life

An interview with Marita about how she became a writer and her latest books.

You Grow Girl! As Chris Rock Airs the Secrets of the Salon, Black Women Untangle Feelings about ‘Good Hair’

Marita is featured in this article discussing how she embraces the beauty of her natural hair.

On Web, A Most Novel Approach: With Promotion Money Tight, Authors Take to Online Sites to Toot Their Own Horns

Marita suggests reading this article for tips on how to guerrilla market your book.

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Tell Your Story True: A 2-Day Memoir/Autobiography Intensive

In this workshop you will learn how to honor the truth of your unique personal story and master techniques that make it memorable. Have you ever wondered:

• How to find the courage to tell the story of your life?
• How you can defeat the fear of criticism and rejection that blocks your authentic writers’ voice?
• What writing techniques are most effective for telling your story?

Then this is the workshop for you. These and other often asked questions will be answered through in-class writing exercises, close reading of published work and analysis of participants’ in-progress memoirs. You will gain the confidence and the tools you need to write about your life with power and conviction.

~ Sat. January 30 & Sun. January 31, 2010

Apply Today!

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I Want to Write!

If you are having difficulty getting your words from your head and heart onto the page then  this is the workshop for you. This workshop is for writers of any genre: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or journalism. This workshop will:- guide you through writer’s block
- help you complete projects you began

This popular 2-day workshop has helped hundreds of writers get un-blocked and take the leap into their story and start writing. Beginning and veteran writers create a supportive community and learn techniques to write through fear, anxiety and self-censorship.

~ Sat. February 27 & Sun. February 28, 2010

Apply Today!

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Imagi-Nation: A 2-Day Fiction Writing Intensive

If you are writing a novel or short story then this is the workshop for you. This workshop will teach you:

• how to create fascinating characters
• how to build tensions, conflict, and effective pacing
• what the elements of an interesting plot are

This fiction writing “bootcamp” will show you how to plunge your characters into the deep end of the ocean of your imagination, and create a plot that surprises and satisfies the reader.

~ Sat. March 20 & Sun. March 21, 2010

Apply Today!

I’ve been asked quite a lot this summer if I’ve purchased a Kindle, the electronic reading device sold by Amazon that’s all the rage. While I remain old school in my reading habits, preferring the feel of paper to molded plastic, I think the Kindle is a great idea. In fact the Kindle is an idea whose time has come and one of these days I WILL buy one. As long as people are reading books be it on a cell phone, a computer screen or an electronic book, I’m happy. We live our lives through stories and all the new technology is an adaptation of inventive genius to our instinctive need for narrative. Yes, newspapers are folding and bookstores are closing but books are as popular as ever, that’s what the Kindle proves to me! Marita

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I Want to Write! Workshop/Retreat

Release the writer in you! Let Marita Golden – bestselling author and master teacher – show you how to get your words from your head and heart onto the page. This two-day workshop offers a nurturing, safe space where writers at all levels from beginning to published find and create a supportive community. Participants learn techniques to write through fear, anxiety and self-censorship. ~ October 2/3 2009 Classes fill quickly, so apply early.
Apply Today!

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Imagi-Nation: A 2-Day Fiction Writing Intensive

This fiction writing “bootcamp” will show you how to plunge your characters into the deep end of the ocean of your imagination, and create a plot that surprises and satisfies the reader. ~ Sat. October 31 & Sun. November 1, 2009 ~ Sat. February 27 & Sun. February 28, 2010
Apply Today!

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Tell Your Story True: A 2-Day Memoir/Autobiography Intensive

In this workshop you will learn how to honor the truth of your unique personal story and master techniques that make it memorable. Have you ever wondered:

• How to find the courage to tell the story of your life?
• How you can defeat the fear of criticism and rejection that blocks your authentic writers’ voice?
• What writing techniques are most effective for telling your story?

Then this is the workshop for you. These and other often asked questions will be answered through in-class writing exercises, close reading of published work and analysis of participants’ in-progress memoirs. You will gain the confidence and the tools you need to write about your life with power and conviction. ~ Sat. October 24 & Sun. October 25, 2009 ~ Sat. January 30 & Sun. January 31, 2010
Apply Today!

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Marita Golden’s Upcoming Events

One Maryland One Book Kick-Off Program – An Evening with Marita Golden Join Marita Golden as she discusses the literary and historical significance of the book Song Yet Sung by James McBride. Date:Wednesday, September 9, 2009 Time: 7:00pm Location: White Oak Library – Silver Spring, MD

A Black Woman Writer in Israel: My Own Piece of the Middle East Marita Golden will discuss her trip to Israel and the complex society she found, that defies most of what we think we know from media images and reports. Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 Time: 6:30pm Location: MLK Library – Washington, DC

Congressional Black Caucus Author Pavilion Marita Golden will moderate the panel Back Writers as Cultural Activists & Gatekeepers of History featuring authors David Levering Lewis, Howard Dodson, Annette Gordon-Reed and Ralph Eubanks Date: Thursday, September 24, 2009 Time: 4:00pm Location: Washington, DC

Baltimore Book Festival Marita Golden will be on a panel with Barbara Graham discussing Eye of My Heart: 27 Writers Reveal the Hidden Pleasures and Perils of Being a Grandmother Date: Friday, September 25, 2009 Time: 2:00pm Location: Baltimore, MD

Capital Bookfest Marita Golden will be reading and discussing her book It’s All Love: Black Writers on Soul Mates, Family and Friends. Date: Saturday, October 3, 2009 Time: 2:40pm Location: Largo, MD

A Black Woman Writer in Israel: My Own Piece of the Middle East Marita will discuss her trip to Israel and the complex society she found, that defies most of what we think we know from media images and reports. Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2009 Time: 6:30pm Location: Enoch Pratt Free Library (Central Library) – Baltimore, MD

22nd Annual Literary Luncheon Series Marita Golden will be reading and discussing her book It’s All Love: Black Writers on Soul Mates, Family and Friends. Date: Thursday, October 22, 2009 Time: 11:30am Location: Strathmore Mansion, MD

An Afternoon with Marita Golden Marita Golden will be reading and discussing her book It’s All Love: Black Writers on Soul Mates, Family and Friends. Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009 Time: 12:00pm Location: Newark Public Library, NJ

Writing is as much an act of consciousness as it an act of imagination or will. It is the mental mind-set, the consciousness you possess that produces the writing. What is your mental attitude? Do you really have a writing mind? One of my favorite New-Age writers is Wayne Dyer. Inspired by his new book, Excuses No More, I have some affirmations to offer those of you still working to create a writer’s mind. Say the affirmations that touch you most deeply several times during your periods of meditation, contemplation or prayer. Write them down as a reminder, post them on your wall or bulletin board. Integrate them into your life. Often we literally battle the emotions and feelings that sabotage the writers mind. That struggle is recurrent and quite normal. However, you have the capacity to train your mind to automatically move beyond the “it’s impossible” thoughts that plague you. To create a writing mind “flip” your negative thoughts of what is impossible into affirmations of what is possible.

• I don’t have time to write becomes
• There is sufficient time in my life to write. I use that time wisely.

• I’m afraid of what I will discover, or what will happen if I write becomes
• I possess all the courage and wisdom required to accept and understand what my writing reveals.

For more affirmations and writing life tips follow Marita Golden on Facebook and Twitter.

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I Want to Write! Workshop/Retreat

Release the writer in you! Let Marita Golden – bestselling author and master teacher – show you how to get your words from your head and heart onto the page. This two-day workshop offers a nurturing, safe space where writers at all levels from beginning to published find and create a supportive community. Participants learn techniques to write through fear, anxiety and self-censorship. ~ July 17/18 2009 ~ August 7/8 2009 Classes fill quickly, so apply early.

Apply Today!

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Upcoming Events

47th Annual Cape Cod Writers Center 2009 Double Conference Marita will be a keynote speaker at the conference. Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 Time: 7:30pm Location: Craigville, MA A Black Woman Writer in Israel Marita will discuss her trip to Israel and the complex society she found, that defies most of what we think we know from media images and reports. Date: October 7, 2009 Time: 6:30pm Location: Central Library 400 Cathedral Street Baltimore, MD 21201

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Israel Trip

Marita visited Israel in May and would like to share some of the highlights from her trip. Marita:

• spoke at a memorial to honor Professor Shaindy Rudoff who started the Graduate Program in Creative Writing at Bar Illan University in Jerusalem.
• visited the Western Wall, commonly called the Wailing Wall.
• visited the University of Tel Aviv where the students were reading Lorraine Hansberry, Ntozake Shange, Baldwin and all the icons of African-American and American Literature. These students are now also reading Marita Golden!

View pictures from Marita’s trip

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Writing Life Tips

Yes, you do have enough time to write!

• Write for half an hour before you get out of bed, or before you go to sleep.
• Write on the subway going to work.
• Write only on weekends if that’s all you can do.
• Create your own “writing rules of the road.” It’s your life, so you can write when you want. As long as you write.
• Forget the romantic image of the 8 hour a day writing life if you don’t have that kind of time!
• Tailor your writing life to suit your life:

The point to remember is that you can create your own space and time to make the writing happen.

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I Want to Write! Workshop/Retreat

Release the writer in you! Let Marita Golden – bestselling author and master teacher – show you how to get your words from your head and heart onto the page. This two-day workshop offers a nurturing, safe space where writers at all levels from beginning to published find and create a supportive community. Participants learn techniques to write through fear, anxiety and self-censorship. ~ July 17/18 2009 ~ August 7/8 2009 Classes fill quickly, so apply early.