Writing Life Tips

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!

This entry was posted on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 4:00 pm and is filed under Newsletter Archive. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.