writing work

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Writing Means You Hope To Master Language

Can I be honest with you?

Writing is some of the hardest work I have ever had to do. Due to the desire I have for expression, language and words, I keep at it. I bend words, I learn new words, and I have the insane desire to show other people what I can do with those words.

Being a writer means, I hope to master language. I hope to push through doubts and darker thoughts to do what I love to do. Even when I don’t love to do it! This is the hope that I have for you.

I want you to have the boldness to look at a blank page and give a piece of your heart to it. I want you to be brave enough to record accents, portions of story and portions of life to the work. It is important that you know and remember this craft is a process. It is a craft. It is one of the most amazing things you can possibly do–if you are willing.

As you push towards the end of the year, remember to be gentle with yourself. Generous with your words, and remember their are 24 hours in a day. You can do it–if you desire to do.

I believe you can! Go get, dear one.

Ecouragement Pages-12/11/2019

There is a release that happens once you finish a written work. This release is this transferring of effort and energy into something tangible? There is no high like it.

There is also something utterly scary about beginning a new work as well. This new thing, only present in your mind, yet biting and burning to get out of you? There is no fear like it.

Embrace the fear, prepare of the joy.

But prepare for the work.

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris

Encouragement Pages-12/09/2019

“Let it stir…”

Stephen King says to let the story ‘reveal itself.’ To that I say, ‘let it stir.’

What this means is to let it develop. Let it brew. Let it come forth naturally—just like woman that’s pregnant.

Just like when you stir coffee or hot tea, making it just the way you like it.

Let it stir. Let it bubble. Let it brew.

The idea you have, the one you keep rolling around, or you aren’t sure about, follow it. Let it stir, let it stir you.

You’ll be amazed what you come up with when given when you’re patient with yourself.

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris

Encouragement Pages 11/29/2019

Writing is one of the few professions were merit is your credit. Where your ability to honor the others that come before you, allows you to increase your influence and networking.

One of the worst things you can have as a writer is ‘bad credit.’ The worst thing you can be labeled as is a writer that takes work without credit, or publishes other people’s work as your own, or whom is known to not ‘own your own pen.’

I know the process of writing can be hard, it can be thankless, and an easy out can [seem to be] plagiarism.

Don’t fall for that trap. You can do better.

Don’t ruin your writer credit.

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris

Note: The topic of ‘bad credit’ as a writer will be discussed is Season 2 of The Writers’ Block Podcast–which resumes on December 5, 2019.

Encouragement Pages-11/27/2019

When I was in elementary school, my teachers from third to fifth grade, when it was time to take a test, would say:

“Eyes on your own paper.”

This piece of advice can be translated to writers. Your work, is your work. It is powered by your own imagination, your own talent and merit. Don’t short change what you are creating because you may be unsure about its outcome!

Work your work!

You can do it!

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris

Encouragement Pages-11/22/2019-The Wisdom Of James Arthur Baldwin (3)

Every writer has their own niche, a lens by and through which they see and process the world.

This is can be a non-fiction lens, fiction, satire, prose or poetry.

Your lens is your lens!

Don’t get caught up in trying to mimic someone else’s take, or voice. Develop your own. This is what makes your voice–your lens–powerful. This is what will make your work distinct!

Don’t–Never fear your lens. Only adjust it.

As any good teacher will tell you: Eyes on your own paper, do your own work.

Get to it!

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris