Tag: Inspiration

What Books Make the Writer?

Did you ever read Bridge to Terabithia or Tuck Everlasting? What about The Phantom Tollbooth? Any of the Ramona Quimby books?

I did. I remember reading all of those books. While some of the details of what goes on in those stories are hazy, I remember how they made me feel. Adventurous, brave, curious. I couldn’t get enough. I wanted to “do that”, create worlds and stories that readers just didn’t want to put down.

It’s funny. All I’ve ever wanted to do is write and I’ve managed to do so in some way for a while now.  I’ve been lucky, besides the time I got caught writing on the living room wall with a red lipstick, that my love of reading and writing has been praised and encouraged.

I know that I write because I truly enjoy it. I feel the most like myself when I’m actively putting words down to figure out what’s happening or could happen in a story. Writing is also therapeutic and healing to me.

But when did this love turn into the thing that I must do? When did it get serious for me? Was it gradually or all at once?

Recently the Lit Hub article The Books That Made Your Favorite Writers Want to Write came across my Facebook timeline. Writers like Sherman Alexie and Zadie Smith know the exact book that made them want to be writers. How cool is that? Something locked into place for them and they knew or decided that they wanted to “do that” too.

The last few days I’ve been wondering which book(s) made me want to write. Was it Ramona Quimby, Age 8? Onion John? Maybe a short story from the anthologies I read in high school. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, maybe? Was it poetry in college? Nikki Giovanni’s Ego-Tripping, perhaps?

At this point it would be nice to know what tipped the scales for me, but I don’t think it really matters.

I’m writing. I am a writer.

My Writing Group is Everything

I met with my writing group this past Sunday and it was wonderful. I’m always excited to connect with the members of the group because we get so much done. We share our writings, discuss the work, give feedback, and encourage each other.

I’ve been in other groups before, but none have ever felt as authentic and purposeful as this one. None have ever felt as Black, women centered, or queer. I’m not the only black person; I’m not the only lesbian. I don’t have to be one or the other or prioritize my identities. For that alone I feel like pumping my fist in the air and giving a “whoop, whoop” every month. And, it’s strange to say, this group feels writing focused.  I mean that’s the point, right? But I’ve been (briefly) apart of some writing groups that were more about dating than about writing and it was so disappointing.

Everyone in this group is smart, talented, and capable. We all want each other to succeed. Do you know how good that feels? Knowing that your sisters want the absolute best for you? That they want you to grow and improve so you can put out your best work? Maaan, that is some deep, deep love that keeps me inspired.

Essentially these writers save me from myself when I feel like my writing isn’t good enough. They encourage me, hold me accountable, and give me the perspective I need to see my work more clearly. I’m so thankful for all of the support.

Basically my writing group is everything. I love these black women writers!