the craft. stick and stay.
I know, I know, I’m supposed to be talking about relevant craft things, finding the metaphor and all that jazz. But this week, I want to give you a little bit of encouragement and I hope that’s okay. I prepared something around the reason we study, but we can get to that. Hopefully, you’ll stick around for another week or two.
This week, it clicked to me after seeing my Twitter friend Joél Leon announce his book deal, that you do have to just keep going in this world of writing. I’ve often referred to Ta’Nehisi Coates and his own statement around this. But there comes a certain point in your life where things make sense for you. Not because someone else told you, but because you have lived long enough to experience it for yourself.
Before we get to what seeing Joél’s tweet made me think about, let me back up. I was meeting with our wonderful PTW Admin Jana when I remembered that Permission to Write started as a quarterly literary journal. It was like I had forgotten where we started because of how far we’ve come.
Since then we have pivoted and we’re looking at what it looks like to bring back print some time next year (late, next year), but it gave me this rush of emotion. It was by no means perfect, pixelated images and all, but we did it. We decided we wanted to do something and we tried. And we launched with other dedicated writers who wanted to breathe life into what I was hoping to do. And so for a few issues, we did it. Built a magazine, had some ads, published stories and put writers on covers. One of those writer’s was Joél.
Joél has done many amazing things in his own right. So this is no claim or stake on what he has done or already did when we asked him to be on the cover, however, it reminded me how many people PTW has touched in this very short time. It reminded me that even when we look at others and admire them that there are new heights they’re hoping to reach. And to bear witness to that whether from up close or afar is nothing short of amazing.
Most of us started on the simplest, low frills, Blogspot or Wordpress sites and here we are. Published or soon to be published authors. Workshop facilitators like the lovely GG Renee who also graced our cover. Business owners like Lucy Pearl. Red Table Talk guests like Minaa B and the list goes on here.
You do not need the fanciest computer. Or the most expensive journal. All you need are the words and the courage to put yourself out there. To continue developing your craft. To write a whole hell of a lot so that you only get better and better.
All of a sudden, it was like the new dreams that I have for PTW didn’t feel that far from my reach because look at what we’ve done. The smallest most modest footprint, but a footprint nonetheless has showcased in various ways that we have a pulse on emerging Black and POC writers. That there is something here. And that five years from now, I may look up and think, “wow, look how far we’ve come,” again. Or maybe other pivots are on the horizon, who knows. But if nothing else ever happens, I’m thankful. Thankful to know what it means to stick and stay. To keep going even when it feels like nothing’s moving or no one sees you.
Writing is hard. It’s underground. It’s a lot of work on the front end, in hopes that you land in some place you want to be. But I have witnessed with my own two eyes that it takes consistency, discipline, and courage to make it happen for yourself. We, this blog era generation are living proof. Look at all that we’re doing, look at all we’ve been able to accomplish when we were just oversharing on the internet and sharpening our writing chops.
You are not as good as you will be. But if you maintain your will to do the work, you will be just fine. I often get buried in the next thing. But it felt so amazing to reflect. I pulled out all those issues on that Zoom with Jana. lol. I felt like a mad woman. And when I posted on the PTW social, there were folks in the comments like “I still have my issue.” Ha! Every week I’m encouraged because running a community with one and a possible is NOT easy work. So often I think, girl, you could just be writing and working your job. But it’s like, PTW is my heart’s work. Every single time someone in this community or who has touched this community at some point wins, it’s like a fresh battery charge.
Hell, the GRAMMYs started as some musicians wanting to acknowledge their friends in the business. 65 years later, it’s the premiere music award for creators. One that changes lives and career trajectories. In a perfect world, PTW becomes that stamp. Becomes a place that you know if you come from this tree, you’ll be propelled to new heights.
To take a note from Sister Act 2, if every morning you get up and think about writing, you’re supposed to be a writer, friend. Nothing worth having comes easy, and whatever you hope to do with your writing, you can do. May not be in the timing you hope, but it can and will happen if you’re truly dedicated to it.
Big love to you in this writing journey of yours. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk and we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming next week. <3
Writing/Job Opportunities
U.S. News is seeking freelance reporters for their K-12 Education vertical. Writers should have experience reporting on education and/or parenting issues, and commit to at least one story per month. Send a resume and clips to Laura Longhine at llonghine@usnews.com.
The Hurston/Wright Foundation is hiring a Writing Programs Manager. Remote but must be based in Washington, D.C. (50-71K).
The Yale Review is hiring a Deputy Editor/Digital Director.
The Brooklyn Nets organization is hiring a Public Relations Coordinator.
Institutional Investor is hiring an Investment Writer, Senior. (95-120K).
Streetsblog is hiring a Deputy Editor.
Buzzfeed is hiring an Entertainment Editor.
Asana is hiring business, science, and innovative writers for their new publication.
Wired is hiring a Staff Editor.
To Be Read
Judge Shuts Book on Penguin Random House–Simon & Schuster Merger
Why This Poet Declared War on Her Own Book
Everybody Loves Tyler James Williams
Additional Resources
https://www.literature-map.com/ - This is a cool tool to help with comparable titles. Type a name of an author and additional authors with related material will show up.