Are You Ready to Write?
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 want to take a moment in this newsletter to salute and honor all the wonderful, brave and adventurous writers who have taken my workshops. In my workshops I teach writing as a form of creative expression, self-discovery, healing, and bridge building with the world. Because I start at that place, with the desire for connection with others as my foundation, I attract to my workshops the most amazing people.
People like an 82-year-old physician who just recently retired from practicing medicine, who wanted to begin telling the story of her rich life, which spans the period of racial segregation to the inauguration of Barak Obama. When asked the secret to a long life she told us, “I don’t worry about people or things that have hurt me. I don’t have time for that.” Wise words.
People like a 23 year old who has traveled to India to meditate and study yoga in an ashram and who is way wise beyond her years, take my classes, and I learn from them all. Yes I am a teacher and yes I am a student.
I want to take this moment to thank all the writers who have endorsed me and the work I do in the classes by enrolling to not just take a class, but to be in community with me. In my classes we are exchanging stories, energy, ideas, hopes and dreams, very precious things. Believe me I am blessed each time I convene a new class. Thank you
Marita
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Recommended Books
I Want to Write: Notes From the Heart and Soul of a Writer’s Life by Marita Golden
An inspirational and practical e-book guide to the writer’s life, from how to keep writing to how to make money.
Strength in What Remainsby Tracy Kidder
A powerful biography of a survivor of the genocide in Burundi who works to heal his country.
God on Your Own by Joseph Dispenza
A compassionate yet challenging look at one man’s quest to create a rich spiritual life outside of organized religion.
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Resources
Some of the best stories anywhere can be found on www.narrativemagazine.com, fiction, nonfiction, poetry a great line up of writers who tell stories from all points of view, backgrounds and experiences; writing contests and a good way to stay connected to the best writing the web has to offer.
Check out Felicia Pride a young publishing /writing guru at www.feliciapride.com to keep abreast of what’s happening in publishing, hip/hop and the world of Young Adult writing.
The Tenth National Black Writer’s Conference convenes in Brooklyn, New York at Medgar Evers College Thursday, March 25 – Sunday, March 28th. Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison is the Honorary Chair this year.
Marita will be speaking at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia Tuesday, March 2 at 4 pm in the auditorium of the L. Douglas Wilder building and at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland on Thursday, March 4 at 7pm.
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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
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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
Tags: African American, Arts, Author, Black History Month, Frederick Douglass, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Writer, Zora Neale Hurston
Greetings! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
I just wanted to quickly say that i have read this book (Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder) that you are recommending and i just thought it was a magical read and just devoured it in one day. If you want a good read i certainly second that this book is certainly worth it. Thank you for your blog, i am an avid reader.
Chestnut Uggs I study at the journalism department so to ameliorate writing skills is my first duty.
moncler sweater Great post. Frederick Douglas did a lot in his time so we will never forget him.
Hi Marita ,Inspirational advice for writers like me who struggle to consistently put words on paper and create story arcs
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I very good site. Thank you
writing contests and a good way to stay connected to the best writing the web has to offer.
I like writing but I struggle with grammar since I study english as a child. It’s not my first language. I think it get in the way of conveying my message straight half the time.
Leslie
Hello ! Love your blog.
Great post. Frederick Douglas did a lot in his time so we will never forget him.
I study at the journalism department so to ameliorate writing skills is my first duty. Thank you for help!
I would love to write a novel or something, even a short story. But I don’t know where to start. I know it’s tough getting a manuscript out there and getting published but I can’t seem to take the first step. I love the idea of workshops and helping people get on with their writing and Black History Month should surely provide much inspiration.
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