Author June Jordan
The spring of 1995 found me on the campus of the University of California at Berkeley part of a group of literary enthusiasts invited by the African American Studies department to observe, research and model a program to emulate it in Florida for a literary workshop. Not knowing what to expect, my interest out-weighed any apprehension being in a place not knowing a soul. I’d heard through the university press system at the time of this unique and innovative program, that it not only taugh students how to write poetry, but had all the other rudiments of editorial resolve. I’d also heard about the professor and essayist with a reputation as a stickler for detail and taciturn demeanor that spearheaded it. Despte it all and after receiving the invite, I knew I couldn’t pass it up! That program, Poetry for the People was a new program that taught empowerment through the artistic expression of writing, reading poetry, and how to string sentences together to write prolific essays full of clarity. It was a fully accredited 4 unit class, available, every spring at UC Berkeley, the brainchild of its mentor and curator — and I was dying to meet her. After waiting for an undetermined long period of time she finally walked in the room, commanding it with regal bearing. In the center of the room she stood there for a good 5 minutes with all of us spellbound and full of awe, looking us over. She then blurted out, “so you want to learn how to write, do you? Well, you’re in the right place, but it won’t be easy…those of you who are committed will stick and stay, those of you who can’t cut the mustard will be gone.” That was the way she was — straight to the point with no holds barred. I remember those words like it was yesterday! I had no choice but to stick, I’d invested too much at the time and I’m glad I did.
The ability to pull deep from your soul to write is proof that latent substance is but a moment’s realization that in all of us the well indeed is full and ready to be tapped! There are many quirks in many a writer’s life where mere quips, quotes and anecdotes to any realm of reasoning [...]
How faithful you are to Divine order will spell the difference between success and failure. “I believe I can fly” the song says…if you truly believe that you CAN, you will! It’s amazing to me how much we can learn from animals. Existing with them in this world has allowed us to be cognizant of [...]
How important is having a safe haven where peace and quiet is a prerequisite for accomplished value? The time worn cliche that silence is golden plays more of a part in the life of a writer than anything else.
Oftentimes we need the timing, space and serenity to make our words resonate with resillence. [...]
“But for the grace of God”…I uttered this while recuperating in convalescence thinking how blessed I am. But even in this state I think too, of how thankful we should be having been given the skill to write as we do. An epiphany is such that it cannot, or should not be ignored when intuitive [...]
Can I talk to you for a minute? Lush and fertile imaginations are seeds that allow good fiction to sprout and spread fortuitously. I’m going somewhere with this so bear with me. ‘Lush’ and ‘fertile’ are adjectives alluding to the good life we have as writers when we can effect the aforementioned into our work. [...]
Writer beware! The present state of the economy is no respecter of those that write for a living and profess to be more than worthy of the last book, article or essay written. We ply our trade as writers of worthy measure, and expect returns on our investments and a fairly decent modicum of success [...]
Insight and practical theorems on how to effectively use time management for writing, and the use of the Internet for adequate literary productivity should be every writer’s first option. Suffice it to say though, after teaching research methods on the post graduate level for as long as I have. I’m seeing quite a few dissertational [...]
You’d wonder whether the present economic is affecting the climate of literary festivals and conferences. Suffice it to say, industry reports and other numbers orientated entities suggests that there’s quite a bit of consternation and negativity from all aspects of patronage. Of course, there will be others giving opinionated views from lukewarm to the loquacious [...]
In times like these when we’re playing closer attention to money – how we spend and stretch it to maximal proportions, it’s easy to take for granted that waking up everyday is not promised. We lament the times and utter phrases such as, “and this too shall pass”. I’m guilty of it despite the fact [...]
