Readers make writers and writers make readers ~ Carl McKever
Writers write for many different reasons. Never Meaningless, the reasons are specific to each writer. Naturally writing for ordinary work as in preparing policies, reports, or memos differs from the writing writers do, which often is for their own satisfaction. Some writers write poetry. Some write short stories that ignite passion, joy, or pleasure as in fiction writers. Others write non-fiction sharing their own true stories, those of a loved one, or some about topics they care about as in Success. Whatever your reason for writing it makes sense to read a lot in order to write with finesse that satisfies yourself or your audience.
7 Books To Strengthen Writing
Here are 7 books that will help to strengthen your craft:
Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.
Working People Talk About What They do All Day by Studs Terkel
How Fiction Works by James Wood
The Rest is Noise by Alex Ross
Kill All Your Darlings by Luc Sante
On Writing by Stephen King
Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t by Steven Pressfield
A group of writers were challenged to a Write In, Write Out Session. After free writing for an hour, Akiim Jarrett wrote this spoken word that characterises his gift. Here I share:
Screams, Shrieks and Secrets
it screams – this secret of mine-
hidden heartbreak and soul-stirring agony,
so I crave peace.
a peace which remains unbothered
a peace ne’er t’be interrupted;
but these days dreams don’t get fulfilled and life rolls you along with the punches at whim.
it shrieks – this secret of mine-
divine calamity a beautiful harmony
can you see it in catastrophic splendor?
a jaw dropping visage,
an image and event to die for-
a living truth I’d reluctantly lie for.
it sounds off –
like the loud silence insecurities decorate-
a masterpiece that doubt artfully paints
can’t you see?
or will you see how this feels like it’s been before,
karmic justice settling the score-
quote raven or mock the peacock
choose that which haunts less is all I implore
secrets aside – lies do thrive
tis better to release than bury inside.
it can be different
things need not be the same
you can produce the change
from the inner stain of shame
Every secret of a writer’s soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written large in his works. ~Virginia Woolf
A group of writers were challenged to a Write In, Write Out Session. After free writing for an hour, Antoya Lee wrote this delectable piece that shows her talent waiting to be honed. Here I share:
What is Rape? Does it Require A “No?”
~Antoya Lee
If I push my beliefs, wants, and desires on you, and I succeed in having my way, should I be held accountable for my actions? If, my persistence made me successful in having my way but brought upon you harm and danger.
Or, should I be vindicated from my exploitation of your mind and body and be freed from punishment because of my intellectual ignorance? My mind’s ability to reason and understand based on the knowledge or lack thereof, stored within my mind.
Hear, the words, that proceed as I speak. Abuse and harassment, of any type: sexual, verbal, physical, mistreatment, recklessness, carelessness, ignorance and arrogance. Have you been impacted by such activities or behaviors? Were you the offender, or of your life, a victim of such social behaviors that are communicated amongst our social environment?
Sadly, were you an offender in any group or area of your social environment, where you mistreated, misrepresented yourself or something, in order to have your way and accomplish your desires and wants. Or, to support your beliefs and needs, with your friends, with your family, and coworkers, strangers and lovers, church or other group member affiliation.
Were you ever so persistent in having your way to the detriment of another against that person’s comfort and will?
Is rape or harassment just something sexual?
Or, could it be a form of social communication, verbally and physically, expressed in any type of social situation and setting amongst people in your social circle.
Could it be social manipulation, simply to accomplish one’s own disparate deeply desired wishes?
Not just sexual, but could rape simply, but greatly be social dysfunction, after all the offenses in every area of our lives that happened upon us, or we upon them.
I forgive you. Do you forgive me? Of social rape. Trying to have my own way.
My point: Lets be mindful of how we interact and how we share our habits with each other because rape is social contamination.
And the idea of just wandering off to a cafe with a notebook and writing and seeing where that takes me for a while is just bliss. J. K. Rowling
Am I alone? Am I the only one obsessed with writing? I can’t seem to get enough of it. I eat, sleep, dream, and I write.
Can the doctor help? Noooo…don’t need it. I write because I’m compelled to release, to ease, to let loose what’s inside… what drives my heart to peace.
I care about you. I respect you. But please talk to me when I’m done. For me to be more impacting to you, I must write. The thoughts, stories, insights yearn to be set free.
“Captivated and inspired by the enduring power, creative joy and beauty of words, they are the South Florida writers of novels, short stories, poems, plays, memoirs, essays, autobiographies, science fiction, biographies, anthologies, children books and more.”
— Ralph Hogges
The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins, South Florida Writers of Color Literary Magazine. An Online Literary Magazine. Read the 1st Edition here South florida writers of color magazine
A book is a gift you can open again and again. ~Garrison Keillor
Barnes and Noble asked Readers to identify who their favorite Author was and the reason. Here I share excerpts as Readers chimed in telling all.
Sarah J. Maas because characters are one of the most real and complex characters of all time because
Sarah J Maas, because she tells stories of strength, epically and fantastically, and the writing is like music; just as amazing as any symphony.
Cassandra Clare. Her books inspired me to write more stories, and not stop loving books
My favourite write is Paul Coelhobecause he impresses me with each sentence and teaches me a lot, both about life and writing
J.K. Rowling, because she wrote Harry Potter
Megan Whalen Turner because I love her characters.
Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, his books changed and inspired so much my life that I decided to translate them in Italian! Such a blessed decision
J.K Rowling because she gave us the greatest Wizarding World
Stephen King because his talent is bottomless – as is my fascination with everything he writes
Agatha Christie because she gave me Hercule Poirot, the greatest detective in the world
Danielle Steel because she’s a master of romance
My favourite author is Andrzej Sapkowski because he got me thinking outside the box.
Danielle Steele because she keeps me entertained the whole book through.
My favorite author is John Green because his books are filled with mysteries and I love his way of writing.
Shakespeare because he is just timeless. Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte because when I read their books they take me to another world and the women in their stories are strong and what ever they dream of doing they do and that inspires me to be and do what I want to do.
Elizabeth Gilbert, because she wrote one of the most inspiring and life-changing books I’ve ever read.
Jane Austen, because her books are an insight into characters who we can relate to from a time when people and places were different.
Madeleine L’Engle is my favorite because she was able to write for a range of readers. She wrote children’s books, YA, adult, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. My second favorite is Jane Austen. Her works transport me to the nineteenth century in England, which is my favorite setting to read about.
John Hopkins because Lost Cactus is awesome!
James Patterson. He thought what life is about… I lived through his stories.
Truman Capote because he somehow makes beautiful stories from such simple words.
So who is your favorite author and why? Do share. We would love to hear.
I want to write away. Basically get away somewhere by the beach or surrounded by nature, water flowing, birds singing, peace, quiet and natural stones. Without a Cur, I’d just write and write.
Slow pace. No rush. Quiet clear thoughts. Write away to help others. Oh for the time to write…just write.
writers inspired through Book Reading, Poetry, stories, the arts
A Gathering and Celebration of South Florida’s Writers of Color. An Invitation to an occasion of grandeur where Success Strategies and other writers inspired through Book Reading, Poetry, stories, the arts, and more. A writer’s pleasurable delight and certainly for Success Strategies.
