On Writing: Doing the Work

*Note* This is an intervention. I have missed two (self-imposed) blog deadlines. I actually drafted two different posts. I just never finished them. It’s not that I haven’t been writing or editing or promoting projects. I have. But this blog is about my commitment to simply sharing words in community and not worrying about what the gatekeepers think. The post below was drafted in time, but along the way, I stopped feeling it. I put it away. That is okay. We writers do that and should do that when the work stops pleasing us. But rereading it two months later I now think it’s not so bad. I kind of wish I had posted it. And isn’t this part of what I want to do – reveal the process that leads to what might look like a successful writing career? So. This is an intervention. I don’t want to miss another deadline. I actually want to share the below thoughts with you. I’m going to hit “publish”. Enjoy.

Let’s go back in time to October 15th…

A few weeks ago, during Back to School Night , I added the following phrase to my introduction: I am a professional writer. This is the first year I have felt comfortable making that claim. I have learned to make this assertion for a few reasons. One, it is true. I now get paid for writing. Two, it adds some heft to my persona, which is honestly just useful in these scrutinous times. Three, it has the effect of causing other people who write to come up and share that with me. And I love meeting other writers.

Yes. I claim the title of writer. But how do I stay one? Now that the books are out in the world, people are beginning to ask what is next. Luckily the questions haven’t felt pushy or jealous. The tone has been genuine curiosity with a twinge of supportive hope. I will write more, won’t I? Yes. Yes, I will write more.

This month I wanted to share what my writing life looks like once I am thrown back into the school year and not just my school year, but my son’s school year. Third grade is legit! Teaching and mothering are full time jobs. I don’t actually have time for a third. What is the work of writing that I am able to undertake?

In the fall, small projects reign. I just went on submission with a picture book project and a related YA nonfiction proposal, which I spent several evenings and weekends finalizing. The agent liked them. Cross your fingers that the editor acquires them. I was also inspired to draft two more picture books that I am really excited about. One was inspired by events revealed in The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks, which I highly recommend, especially if you think you have heard too much about her. I learned a lot more! The other was inspired by an Instagram post, which led me down a research hole and the least I can do is share this video with you because HISTORY matters. Writerly work includes sending those to three trusty readers and then receiving and incorporating their feedback. Picture books are great because they are about 500 words and even though they need to be the perfect 500 words, the scale is manageable.

I am also reading. We write what we read so I’m gathering research on the topics I hope to write about soon as well as lots of picture books, poetry collections, and fun page turners. I recently finished these:

Meanwhile, we are still actively promoting Nearer My Freedom and A-Train Allen. I am writing an educator’s guide for Nearer so expect to see a link to that soon. It is already time to submit proposals for next year’s book fairs and to schedule 2024 travel. I love meeting young readers and writers and can also present to teachers on a wide range of topics. This month I am prepping a presentation about using found verse to build empathy for the Festival of Education. In November, my colleague and I will share strategies for teaching lynching history in English classrooms based on our community’s remembrance and reconciliation work.

During my summer residency with Anaphora Literary Arts, while in workshop with the incredible Chris Abani, I refurbished or wrote ten poems. Since this is the fall reading period, every week I use Submittable (and the Discover button) to submit those poems to 2-3 literary journals. Since the poems are written, it doesn’t take long to tailor the cover letter and particular set of verses I plan to send in. My goal is to have one poem accepted for publication somewhere this spring. I expect to mostly receive rejections. To be honest, Submittable has become my Vegas. Spin the wheel, baby. Luck be a lady! Like losing money, the rejections are a bummer, but I no longer take them personally. I am proud of the poems I have written. They are good poems. Eventually, the right editor reading them on the right day for the right issue will like them too. If not, I’ll post them on this blog for you all, or maybe re-read, revise, and resubmit them in six months. I trust that every poem will find its home.

I was inspired to become more relaxed about submissions by Women Who Submit. On September 9th, they hosted their Submit One initiative to flood major journals with submissions from women. Turns out it is fun to join hundreds of other female writers and bravely hand over precious work for scrutiny. As they say, you can’t win if you don’t play.

Resisting anxiety is also part of my writer’s work. That may be the biggest surprise of being in this industry. The landscape is littered with negative thinking traps. It takes effort to remain confident and to not compare myself or my work or my accomplishments with that of others. I refuse to become competitive or to believe opportunities are scarce no matter what data is presented. Every day, I remind myself that I have already baked and eaten the cake and that everything else I get on this journey is icing. This may be the most important work I do as a writer because insecurity will steal your joy and keep you from building community. No thanks.

Then there is this blog, which remains a place for me to lay down thoughts without concerns for ROI and to connect with people who have believed in me since day one. Thank you. You have made the work feel like play, and for that, I am grateful.

UPDATE (because I shouldawouldacoulda posted this two months ago):

We finished the Nearer My Freedom Educator Guide! Click to download.

I did present at the Festival of Education USA on Poetic Connections: Building Bridges to the Past with Found Verse. It was wonderful fun writing poetry with teachers. I’d love to do this workshop with more educators. Holler at me.

I also attended NCTE, then stayed for the CEL and ALAN conferences. Flitting around as a teacher, meeting favorite authors, grabbing up free books, and then sitting down for my own signing was a trip. Check out my Instagram to see what a good time we had. I definitely recommend this experience if you are an English teacher. Also, Columbus is cute, a solid location for a convention.

I had a poem accepted by West Trade Review! You can read “Blackberries” online. A second poem will be included in their Ecobloomspaces anthology next year.

A-Train Allen was called a Best Read Aloud: A joyful read-aloud that zips faster than any train. As one of my colleagues said of it, “this is one of the best read-alouds of the year: vibrant language (look at all those verbs), colorful dynamic digital art, and plenty of chances to get kids interacting with the story.”

Nearer My Freedom has been recognized with several awards, which has been a delightful surprise. These include:

Alright. I am proud of myself. Go do something you’ve been avoiding. You’ll feel good afterwards. Promise.

One thought on “On Writing: Doing the Work”

  1. What a wonderful post as they all are. You are a writer, you are a professional writer, you are a paid profesiononal writer. You are a gifted hard working wise paid professional writer.

    Reply

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