The I In You Series-IMAGE

What Do You Want To Show?

​The hardest thing in this process pathway from getting what is in your head to and in the world outside of it, is converting thought into image. Since the onus of what is in your head, hiding in your imagination, is up to you. 

IT IS UP TO YOU.

​As a minority writer, you control the narrative, the story that you want to tell. No one else. Do not allow the world around you to adjust your lens. Let no one distract for what it is you want to show! What you have to tell, what is on the inside of you, can only be told by you. As James Baldwin said:  “Fire the imaginary White man that sits on your shoulder!”

​Don’t fall into troupes—they are only formulas! In the hand of any good scientist or alchemist, a formula is a tool. It is meant to be used, reconstructed and re-evaluated to suit the needs to those who have the wherewithal to change what they see in front of them. 

​Do not be discouraged by those who can’t see what you are creating. Do not be dismayed by those who cannot support what you are creating! They are not your concern! What you must be concerned with is what you want to show the world! What is on the inside of your head? What part of that do you want to share with the world? Is there more you to come? If so, keep going. 

See you next week!

The Flow: Make The Way Straight

I want you to take charge of your writing space. I want you to be completely cognizant of the space you create! The Flow–your access to this creative energy–is going to be dependent on how serious you are about creating it and maintaining it! One of thing to remember about maintaining such a space is that the magic you desire to create in it is up to you (again, this is a reference from King’s On Writing)!

There is a ruthlessness to writing, my Oracles! That ruthlessness is based in how tenacious you are about writing, and your success related to it! This dedicated space, deciding to dedicate a space, is YOURS! Do what you must in it and for it. If you need music to write? Get a playlist. If you write best in the morning, set an alarm. If you need to be warm to write, get that (a blanket, sheet, hoodie, etc)! You cannot let writing just happen to you our upon you! Sometimes, you must make that happen!

Be prepared to write when inspiration hits, as some say ‘when the iron is hot’. Also, be prepared to makes those irons hot.

Encouragement Pages-06/17/2020

What are you waiting for?

There is a need within you to write, so why on Earth are you ignoring it? You have worlds within you waiting to be shown and explored!

Be brave and explore them…one word at a time.

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris

Encouragement Pages-02/24/2020

I love Project Runway and the wisdom of Timothy Gunn. His catch phrase is ‘Make it work!’ There is a truth and power to this; it is gospel. However, there is a power in realizing what no longer works.

You have to be able to recognize when something no longer works. When something needs to be revisited after time has passed. There is no harm in making something work–later.

Be mindful of the work, dearest ones. If it hurts to keep going, there is no rule saying you cannot stop. It is, sometimes, in the pauses or silences when the work can speak the loudest.

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris

Encouragement Pages-08/22/2019

Look it up!

Writers are these weird people with thee strangest walking around information!

Example: The pH of blood is 7.35.

Yes, that’s a real fact. But, I digress.

Writers need to remain curious! Things that intrigue you, scare you, turn you on, look them up! Your research base as a writer needs to be ever expanding!

This includes words you don’t know—vocabulary is still your meat and potatoes. Remember that.

Good luck!

I believe in you!

In Love & Ink,

JBHarris

Writer’s Corner: Savan Robbins

The lovely Savan Robbins is an enigma wrapped with immaculate eyebrows. From the humorous to the erotic, she has a little bit of something for everyone. In her hectic schedule, she took time out to speak to our admin about what makes her tick. As well as what keeps her pen, and cursor moving.

When asked about the beginning of her writing resume, she admits she’s been writing since she was about 12. “I started with short stories, mostly dramas or horror type works, then later evolved into romance and more erotic type work (in conjunction with other genres) as an adult.”

Like all writers, Savan has her own writing schedule–crafted to her needs. She says her greatest challenge is overcoming life obstacles and just finding time to write. “It’s a never-ending challenge at this point. But in time, it gets easier.”

Take this critical piece of writing from Savan, given as only a writer can deliver it:

“My writing schedule is essentially write when you can. For some, having a specific schedule works. For others, life can get in the way and other things will be more important at times. So my advice with this is: if you’re the type of person who can make a schedule and stick to it, do that. If you can’t, just write whenever the mood strikes you. There is no right or wrong way to write. Just do whatever works best for you.”

From this rich advice, we delved deeper. It’s always easy to think the people whom call themselves writers never have an issue or problem, well, writing! When asked about this, Savan admits writing isn’t easy. As a matter of fact, she says it this way: “If you’re doing it right it’s hard.” When given the space to expound upon that, she says writing a book no one will read is easy; writing a book for others is hard.

Savan gives this additional gem:

“It’s more than just good grammar or stringing phrases together that make sense; it’s thinking about ideas, research and editing, finding covers, marketing, reading (and not absorbing) negative reviews…there are so many parts that go into selling a book to the masses that people don’t even think about. But if you are willing to do what it takes to make your dream happen, it will be the most fulfilling thing you’ll ever do.”

With the majority of her work published exclusively to Amazon, Savan says her greatest joy with writing is when readers let her know that they enjoyed the story or really connected with something she wrote and it resonated with them.

When asked about current and future projects, Savan is focusing more on editing at the moment. However, fear not Savan fans! She says there are some paranormal romance projects and some contemporary works she has in the works. Savan also said that she has some novellas brewing which should be published later on in this summer.

With all the gems given during the course of time together, Savan was asked if she had any other advice for new writers or those whom want to start writing again. As she has for the entire interview, she gives this last jewel.

“Just keep writing. If you get negative feedback about your writing, step outside your feelings – because writers are sensitive about criticism even if we say we’re not – and see if it truly applies to your work. Then figure out how to make it better. There are thousands of craft books and free and paid tools to perfect your writing. The only thing that will hold anyone back from being a great writer is their own ego. The sky is the limit…”

Indeed it is, Savan. See you on the Best-Sellers list!

Savan Robbins is a writer extraordinaire who is conquering the world one word and one page at a time. From romance to common sense soup for the soul, she’s got you covered.
You can find her for editing needs at theblurbdiva.com or check out her author page at savanrobbins.com.

From The Crates

LEAVING:

(c) October 2015 JPHarris

The voices are aging. The forebarers that lit the path through the igniting of thought are leaving towards the same light that sent them.

In contemplation, I find myself going to these people: my mother Bessie Bush, Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou. It was my mother whom introduced me to the worlds books hold, and the solace they provide. In my darkest moments, she would ask me, “Are you still writing?” I would answer her as my situation dictated. I recognize there will be a day where I will no longer have benefit of her voice on the other end of a phone. Despite past contention, she has been graced to be my mother. I will need her until the Lord will need her Home. I thank her for being my mother when it would be easier not to be.

Anyone that knows me understands my love for the other 2 aforementioned women. With the nation losing our grandmother Oracle in Maya, I grappled with that sense of loss-I have enjoyed her work since age 9 when my mother gave me her copy of I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS. All we, yes we, have left of her, is what she left: her letter and voice.

Toni Morrison is 84. The same age as my grandmother whom would be 86 this year. I found Toni Morrison in high school and was rapt with her tone and description of anything. I knew then, this gift of words and being a writer, was indeed a craft. Indeed a craft. There will too be a day where the world will only have her letter…and voice.

The Word of God says “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” In this space, I commit these intangibles back to Him seeing as He is the giver of all good gifts. In that process, in the beginning of the becoming and faith in its end, I believe a portion of my legacy will be left to treasure in letter and voice.

See mom, I am still writing.

Writing Schedules

Time is a double edged sword to a writer. It can be a tool of creativity or weapon of mass destruction. Just as I mentioned earlier this month, writing is a discipline! It will always be art, but it will definitely remain a discipline. Let know one fool you, dearest one.

But with all things, you must make time for it, place an intention towards what you desire to do in that slotted time, as well. This may sound like an scary thought, but it isn’t I promise.

Every writer is different. Every process to write and create is different. But one thing is certain. A writer is a writer because they write. There is no shortcut to the words or their mastery. In order to be a writer, you must write.

Shonda Rimes says that if you can make time to write something ten minutes a day, that is magnificent. Jay-Z wrote rhymes on paper bags and shoved them in his pockets while he was trappin. Stephen King, while working as an English teacher before Carrie was published, came home from work and wrote for two hours every night. Anne Rice has a calendar in her writing room and she puts he number of pages she does every day she writes on that calendar.

The goal is, if it’s possible, write something everyday. Do something that relates to writing, your writing, Whether that be freewrite, write, or research.

As you grow in your talent and desire to write, you will develop your own schedule. For me, I try and write a little everyday. I have a set day during the week where if I’m working on a story where I write for at least two hours. But–that’s my schedule. If I don’t make that time to write, I don’t beat myself up about it.

Writing schedules encourage writing to take place. They encourage creativity and continued flow ideas. Here are some helpful hints to make this process better:

  • Construction of your writing schedule must be determined by your own individual standard.
  • Make your schedule such that you can revise it or make it as flexible as you need it to be.
  • Try your best to adhere to the schedule you make.

Your writing schedule is your map. It allows you to uncover the work you are doing, and be faithful to its completion. Don’t fear the process. It’s the process that strengthens your voice, your confidence and your need to continue writing.

Just like your vocabulary, your pen and paper, the cloud to save documents, your writing schedule is a tool. Don’t shun its power, it’s need and your desire to write. It helps when you have a rough week to know you have something to look forward to, a day to create a better world, even if it’s inside your head.

 

Jennifer P. Harris

Editor/Founder-Shekinah Glory Writing Services

Writing Is A Discipline

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According to the Second Oxford dictionary, there are 171, 476 words in the English language. Those words are made up of only 26 letters. It is, will be, the desire to manipulate these letters–bending them to will and imagination, this is the game, beloveds. This is the challenge, this is the game, this is the discipline.

In committing to writing, the manipulating the world with words and letters, it cannot be overstated that the focus writing involves is unlike anything else. In sitting down with paper, pen or computer, you agree to allow your imagination to unfold and flow until its cessation. Until its cessation. There is a laser-like need had be writers to know how it all ends. To know what the characters, the line, the scene–the words–we have to know what it all means, how it will sound and how to bend it towards our will.

Writing, the curious alchemy, is a muscle. In developing this muscle, or any muscle, requires time and focus. The strength of that muscle, even its stamina, comes from its use. Maya Angelou said that you can’t use up creativity! However, no talent is strengthened or stretched without discipline–that enhanced focus to improving a situation or circumstance.

Honor this talent you have, this propensity to create worlds and their inhabitants! Embrace the journey writing offers you, what the talent gives back to you, and how far you may stretch out in it. Don’t fear the page, or idea.

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Here are three tips to help:

  1. TIME.

Make it. Create it. Make use of it. Writers are bound and unbound by it. There must be a time you take daily to write, work on writing, or exercise that same imagination. Writers are creators and creatures of habit–and for that reason, there is never enough time.

2. SPACE.

There is a soothing in hewing out a place in your own space dedicated to what you love to do. Whether that be your bed, floor desk or couch. Stephen King recommends doing the same thing in On Writing. In King’s wisdom, when you cultivate the space, you are more apt to create more, or desire to create.

3.  ENERGY.

There is a power which happens to you when you know the writing is good, when you know you have wielded the wind with the alphabet. The more that comes from you, the more which will come out of you. Some writers and other mystics call it the flow. This creative energy that is palpable and able to be harnessed to unfurl all your imagination holds! Don’t fear that…embrace it, use it.

Discipline is not a curse word. It’s firepower!

 

Jennifer P. Harris

Editor/FounderShekinah Glory Writing Services