Many individuals have questions about the writing process, and we've put together a quick read to help answer some of those questions.
 
Is my story worth it? 
Yes! Giving your life a voice is imperative for you, and it's your choice to share your offerings with the world. Be proud of your story!
  Be seen and Be heard.
 
1. Preparing for submission: What about editing? Should I hire an editor? Most publishers will re-edit your work if they publish your manuscript under their brand. Your manuscript should have working chapters titles; organize them to the best of your ability. Your document should be at least 65 pages (unless it is a children’s or poetry book). Use the spell check or Grammarly before submitting; this will aid in securing approval by the publishing company. 
 
2.  MemoirsAre you ready to be vulnerable? If so, can you handle criticism? 
When writing a memoir, most individuals want only to tell their story; you should also be solving a problem, let your readers understand what lessons you learned or how you made it through. The process of writing can allow many emotions to arise. Some good, and some may become triggering. Sit down, get quiet and examine your motives. Doing this will give you the fortitude to allow the truth to surface. Feelings of frustration, impatience, doubt, and fulfilling joy can intersect simultaneously; be prepared to feel all of these emotions and allow them to flow through you. However, make sure you are ready for the exposure. The exposure alone can be overwhelming for some. 
 
3. Novels- showing vs. tellingExamples:
His face was flushed as he walked back and forth vigorously, vs. he was angry, and everyone knew it. 
He had to bend down to kiss her, vs. he was a tall man. 
Leave something for the reader to imagine, evoke emotion, and create drama, suspense, or a problem.
 
4.  PoetryWhat is Poetry? Whatever your soul has to say and whatever you want it to be. Allow your passions to have a voice without judgment.
 
5. Social media presenceDo you have a presence? How many followers do you have? Whom are you going to sell your book to after friends and family have purchased it? Start creating an online presence. Blogs, IG, FB, Twitter, LinkedIn etc...
 
6. Website Do you need one? Yes! It would be best to have an audience and somewhere to send them. Also, Amazon will take a good percentage of your royalties, so you want to sell your book on your site to obtain the most royalties possible.
 
7.  Self-Publishing vs. Traditional - What's better??? Here is the complex but straightforward answer, both! 
     a.  Hiring a publisher takes the angst and struggle out of the publishing process because they are the professionals. 
      b. If you choose to publish your work, just make sure you understand what you are doing. 
    c. Traditional publishers usually require a literary agent (they will shop your book for you), and they have stringent requirements for publishing. 
  d. Before submitting your manuscript, there is no need to copyright your book (with the U.S. Copyright Office). However, registering your work with the Copyright Office allows you greater power to litigate and collect damages should someone steal your work. Your book is protected once you put pen to paper or it is published on any platform.
 

The silence can be quite conflicting after a traumatic event.
I can hear everything and nothing at the same time.
What took place has stopped my thoughts- I can’t move.
Although, the stillness is almost filled with a strange peace that I so desperately seek.
I sense that fear resides in the quiet as well.
The silence is quite conflicting, you see.
Still Searching for answers to all the why’s that reside in my mind.
Remembering them say,  “It’s all my fault.”
So, I sink back slowly into the quiet of the day.
Wishing only to go to sleep and wake up to this being all some sort of horrid  dream. That’s my wish and prayer.
However, the silence is quite conflicting- I believe.
Like, I can hear everything and nothing.
While feeling the fear of what happened, anger engulfs me - to protect me.
I feel the warmth of my tears streaming down my cheek.
I dry my eyes and try to heal from those memories.
Cause I’m supposed to be a strong, resilient black woman that doesn’t need anything- except peace from every traumatic event that has paralyzed me.
I sense the silence and it’s quite conflicting.
I hear everything and nothing at the same time.

​Manifesting - to make something or create something that I can see visually
Internal - what's going on on the inside of myself - my thoughts, my character, and my behavior
Transient - short-lasting, fleeting
Experiences - people or events I have encountered in life
Responsibly - what I choose to take credit or blame for, accountability 
 
What I manifest internally for myself are but fleeting life experiences. I choose to respond to these moments in my life positively or negatively. My reactions and responses are paramount to my well-being and joy.
Through my thought life, I can cultivate responses to transient experiences that I've either created or am now dwelling in because of outside forces. Choosing to believe that these internal feelings are simply fleeting moments can help me let go of the heaviness and stress of whatever I am experiencing.
I hold myself accountable to manifest self-love as I evolve.

Dear Black Boys who want to kill those who look like you,
You kill what you hate. Why do you hate you? It's because you have been taught self-hatred, and now you re doing the work of those made you believe that you are of no value. 
Please stop.
Sincerely,
​A black Mom