Unveiling the Writer's Palette: A Guide to Prepare for Your Next Masterpiece

Greetings, fellow wordsmiths and aspiring authors! As a two-time self-published author, I've navigated the twists and turns of the writing journey, and I'm here to share some invaluable tips to help you prepare for your own literary adventure. So, grab your favorite writing instrument, find your comfy writing nook, and let's delve into the art of preparation.

1. Set Clear Goals:

Before you embark on your writing journey, define your goals. Are you writing a novel, a collection of short stories, or perhaps delving into non-fiction? Understanding your objectives will guide your writing process and help you stay focused throughout.

2. Create a Writing Schedule:

Consistency is key. Set aside dedicated time each day or week to focus on your writing. Whether it's early morning, late at night, or during lunch breaks, having a routine will make writing a habit, and habits lead to productivity.

3. Craft a Detailed Outline:

While some writers are pantsers, diving into their stories headfirst without a roadmap, many find comfort in outlining. Create a detailed plan for your plot, characters, and major events. This will serve as a compass, steering you through the narrative landscape.

4. Know Your Characters Inside Out:

Your characters are the heart of your story. Develop well-rounded characters with distinct personalities, motivations, and flaws. Understanding your characters on a deep level will make them more relatable and authentic to your readers.

5. Research Thoroughly:

Whether you're writing fiction or non-fiction, research is your ally. Dive into the details of your setting, explore the nuances of your characters' professions, and gather information that enriches your narrative. Accurate details lend credibility to your writing.

6. Create a Writing Sanctuary:

Find or create a space where you can immerse yourself in your writing. Whether it's a cozy corner, a home office, or your favorite coffee shop, having a dedicated space can enhance your focus and creativity.

7. Embrace Writing Exercises:

Before you begin your magnum opus, warm up your creative muscles with writing exercises. Prompts, flash fiction, or character sketches can serve as the literary stretches that prepare you for the marathon of writing a book.

8. Learn from Feedback:

Join writing groups, share your work with beta readers, and be open to constructive criticism. Learning from others is a powerful tool for growth. Don't be afraid to revise and refine your work based on valuable feedback.

9. Arm Yourself with Writing Tools:

Explore various writing tools and find what works best for you. Whether it's a traditional notebook, a writing software, or a trusty pen and paper, having the right tools can enhance your writing experience.

10. Cultivate Patience:

Writing is a journey, and success rarely happens overnight. Cultivate patience, celebrate small victories, and remember that each word you write is a step closer to your literary dreams.

Armed with these tips, I hope you embark on your writing adventure with confidence and excitement. 

Remember, every author's journey is unique, so embrace your individual process and savor the joy of creating something truly extraordinary. Happy writing~~Peace!!

Writer's Life

 So we're at it again!!  Every few years it seems I get the bug to submit to literary magazines.  In this grand world of doubt and the constant need for validation, I find myself at the crossroads of being a self-published author, without validation.  

Granted, the publishing world is vast, filled with agents and editors, publishing houses and of course the great marketing that goes with it; and as writers we want that certification from them. We crave it!  Submitting to lit mags, or querying our masterpiece to agents who are seeking that next big author who has the most creative creation that the world doesn't even know it needed.

Today I've  submitted to 5 literary magazines, through submittable of course.  And as I look over all the rejections I've received since 2015, I'm impressed that I'm still writing and still standing.  To date, I've been rejected 24 times with 1 acceptance--big shout out to From Whispers to Roars lit mag.  Now to some that may not seem like a huge rejection list, especially considering it's an 8 year run.  However, rejection is rejection and that never feels good.  

But press on I will, sifting through mags I think that'll fit my style, my voice, my experiences.  Continue to

write I shall, working on, and hoping to finish the 20 something page novella I've been avoiding, while working to re-work my 2nd book that was published by a small press.  I have ideas, and projects; today was a slight shift away from them, to test the rough waters of the lit mag world.  Maybe I'll do a book of my most glorious rejections...damn, not a bad title for a book.  

Until next time, my dearest faithful readers! 

Where I'm at

It feels like there are so many projects living rent free in my head, but I really need for they asses to start kickin' in.  Life is good, it could be better.  Pouring my soul on here doesn't always feel like the best use of my time, but I'm doing it anyway.

Project 1, I'm working on some flash fiction stories that need to be finished and polished.  I'm trying to figure out if I should have them here, on the blog, or on Medium.  I'm not really particular, but I feel like I need the press, the attention.  (That's the funny/soul on here part)  It's always a strange feeling when I promote my writing, it oddly feels like I'm promoting me.  So when I talk about press, I feel like I'm talking about attention--but that's not really the case.

Project 2, I'm always working on promotions and marketing for the books.  The latest is a cooperation with a IG influencer.  And it's ok, but I'm not throughly convinced it'll garner more sales. It's frustrating, the cost needed to promote a great book.  But it's like the homie Eryk always says, you can write the greatest book, but if no ones knows about it, it's not really the greatest book.  

Project 3, I'm working on a manuscript for a book or short stories and essays.  It's somewhat of a slow go because of project 1.  But we'll see.  I'm also kicking around the idea of doing a short chapbook of poetry.  I really want to go through the book cover phase and find some really dope/beautiful artwork for a cover.  Maybe even have some of it within the book.  Not super sure right now.

But that's where I'm at.  Couple all this with being an educator full time, and trying to figure out that life...it's just cruel.

So if you come across this post, and wonder how you can help, here's some suggestions

1. Post a pic of any of my books on your IG, Twitter, FB, or Tik Tok.  (totally free & easy)

2 Repost my pinned tweet that talks about the new book "Fire Molten & Ash" (totally free & easy)

3. Follow my Author Clarence Barbee on Facebook, and tell people about it (totally free & easy)

4. Buy a book and leave a review (ebook is $4.00)

If you can do this, I'd appreciate it!  Also vote for where you think the new short stories should go!  See ya soon!

Love for Slam Nuba Open Mic/Slam (Denver 2023)

 Every open mic’er knows…you either go to perform, or support.  But the reason is that seeking.  Whether you seek to be seen (behind that mic) or support, and connect, you go.

Tonight I went.  Not to perform, but be seen, be supportive, and be fed.  And I got a meal, I received nourishment.

Tonight I found connections I regretted not furthering, tonight I found connections that were recent, tonight wasn’t historic, but history is always in the building.

Let’s move on.

I have a secret podcast that I’ve done for about a year.  It’s been a personal podcast for the most part, but in one episode, I reviewed a book, from a poet, a Queer Denver Poet.  He happened to be where I went tonight–that person hosted…and I must say, Aerik Francis did a fantastic fuckin’ job!   

When you are connected to a community, you’re connected, when you put yourself there.  When you text or call, or show up at a show, or (scrunch face) actually get on stage on the mic, the connection is.  Tonight I connected…I think.

About a week ago, I attended an open mic.  It’s a well known spot in Denver, called the Mercury Cafe–or the Merc for short.  I performed, but not really.  I read a piece.  There is a difference.  

Q-Feature @ Slam Nuba/Host @ The Merc

In any case, the host (at the Merc) was the feature at Slam Nuba, the spot I supported tonight.  Slam Nuba is a staple in Denver, it’s a staple in Black Denver.  If you’re a Black Poet performing anywhere, and you do research, then Slam Nuba will come up.  Aerik was the host tonight.  

I preference that because I saw Aerik perform a couple of months ago at another open where he was the feature, and damn…the boy killed it.  So seeing him host was community, seeing him host was connection.  

About a week ago, I attended an open mic, it was at the Merc.  And that’s where I was introduced to Q…and a host of other poets and performers.  Many of them were there.  Now mind you, Black Poets in an integrated society are a bit of a novelty; and this is the case in Denver.  

The word novelty is not what I want to use…let’s say unicorn…sorta, but not really…integration has (in many cases) divided this nation more than anything else, and has done more harm than anything else.  (think welfare, and interracial relationships, think small business and jobs that pay more if you’re a bilingual spanish speaker, think cops shooting Blacks that get media attention, but not if cops shoot “illegal” immigrants, think free space, where this is spoke on…on a mic, in a room full of people.)

And think of the people that attend.  Think of the people, the people, the people, the people that attend.

Disclaimer:  I AM A BLACK MAN, HETEROSEXUAL, AND A POET.  I WILL ALWAYS HIGHLIGHT MY PEOPLE.  

Hope that makes sense.

I focused on the open mic, the feature, and the winner of the slam.  Why the open mic?  Because that’s who came to share, that’s who came to heal and for healing; those who came to speak deserve a spotlight because (see earlier words).

Sparrow, was one of the first open mic’er…dope, intelligent, free Black Lady.  I don’t use these words lightly.  She was free.  Free enough to have a laughing spell at the beginning of her set, and still finish strong

with her piece, her opinion, and her food.  She fed us.  With defiance toward religion, she brought the heat, opened our soul, and prepped us to listen. 

Shout out to Sparrow, who opened the ears, brought the smiles, vulnerability, and poetry.

Julian Thomas followed Sparrow, and he brought professionalism, the reality, and the truth about love.  I had witnessed Julian about a week ago at the Merc.  However, I didn’t understand his words until tonight.  He’s a bit of a reader, who’s a budding performer.  His piece about ‘don’t talk to me about love’ and the examples he gave should be vows that every married couple keeps.  If you’re 86 and been married for 50 years, you can relate, if you just got married last month, and had your first argument, you can relate, if you’re in a baby mama/daddy/dramatic entanglement…you, can, relate.

Shout out to the activists that always attend an open mic.  Shout out to Sleepy, who's an activist that spoke about Black Wall Street.  

Shout out to Michael Jackson and the SLS who spoke on the people behind you. It’s real, both Black Wall Street and The People Behind You.  When poets piece together the struggle with the present…it’s a powerful picture, that sometimes we don’t comprehend until maybe hours later.

Shout out to Zoy and Moses Graytower.  

Zoy tore the mic down.  He has a book coming out, and forgive me, for misspelling his name.  I wouldn’t label him as a political poet, but his political poetry will let you breathe, big breaths!  

And shout out to Moses Graytower.  This was a young brother I got to share a little bit of time with at the end of the show.  All I can say is … when hip hop and poetry meet, it will get you up in the morning. Young Moses, got me up this night.  His understanding of friendship, storytelling, words, and rhythm are, not to be fucked with.

As far as the feature goes, I spoke to this man, and witnessed this man in two settings.  He's a poet, a storyteller, a griot in the highest sense of the word.  Q is a storyteller, a cataloger of lives, time, and space.  To understand life, and speak on life are two different things.  Some of us live life, and understand it, some of us live life, understand it, and then are able to speak on it.  Q is the latter.  Q is a big part of me getting back to writing…& performing…& community.  You don’t always fold into the fold, sometimes you give thanks for fold-makers that fold you into community.

His poetry is heavy.  It’s heavy for the old afrocentric, and new age Negro too; heavy for the white woman who came to support, and lay her guilt ridden bustier upon the stage.  But the poetry has merit, meaning, and substance for the new Negro and old alike.  It’s our past, and our meaning, america; ours meaning Black americans, ours meaning Mulatto americans, ours meaning us–human in america.  Blending spoken word with acoustic drum, flute, and song; his performance was something we all should witness. 

I wanted to give a shout out to the winner of the four poet slam Mahogany.  This young lady brought the self love like nobody’s business.  After listening to her poetry, I was inspired, as a poet, a writer, a black man, a human.  So big shout out to this young lady! 

All in all, I was fed.  The people who were there were fed.  No chicken, no drinks, no physical nourishment to speak of, but we all left full.  There was community there (special shout out to the 4 year old who ran around free) there was life there.  

We witnessed it. I implore you to visit a poetic open mic.  It’s different.  It is about sharing, it is not about judgment.  It’s about acceptance, and learning.  Learning can be hard, and so can acceptance.  But I dare you to visit one, stay for an hour, stay for the whole set.

  

I challenge you to be changed.

From the Writer’s Soul: Planning & Prepping the Manuscript with a Collective

Writers go through it, even when they decide they want to write a book.  It was always a goal…that’s what we say right, it’s always been a goal. And you try.  You give it what you feel is full effort.  And you hate your manuscript, you’re embarrassed by it.  So you try again.  And somehow you become satisfied with the work.  But it needs editing; anxiety rises, imagination goes wild with what the editor might say.  You sit down for a drink (insert coffee, tea, or the whisky of your choice) and decide, the goal is now a dream.  I can’t deal with the emotional turmoil.

Anxiety is normal. It ranks right up there with that knot called pessimism that rest in your belly, then visits you at 3 am when you think the manuscript is done.  Anxiety and pessimism will lead to that other wonderful P—Procrastination.  

This is where the work happens.

There’s an old adage that says: opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.  This is a popular saying because if you’re dressed in overalls you’re prepared to get messy.  Writing is messy, our emotions about our writing is even messier.  

Do the work. Put on overalls literally if you must.  But do the work. When the work is working, the writer is winning—win writer! Work!

Part of writing work is clarity.  Some alcoholics know this concept very well—they call it a moment of clarity.  It’s when they not only see their mistakes, they can own them, and even seek help at this point.  Clarity is not a single celled organism, it is not a single use item like toilet paper or q-tips.  Clarity is collective.  The collective gives you perspectives, and it is those perspectives that help you gain clarity.

Every writers’ collective is different.  We all have friends, and we all have friends who will read and critique our work.  There is also family, that favorite auntie, or opinionated uncle who will praise the manuscript, or rip it to shreds.  These people are important to have, but are they objective; are they your target audience?  

One of the best things a writer can do is find a good editor.  An editor will provide good feedback for changes or highlight things that are great in your manuscript.  When working with an editor it’s really good when you’re able to speak directly to the editor rather than just text, IM or DM back and forth.  When there is a conversation there is voice inflection and real time understanding that doesn’t lose it’s translation when texting or DM’ing.  Editors are really good when it comes to something that didn’t read very well.  Or they are able to tell you, this section or paragraph confused me, what were you trying to say?  The process of working with an editor is also very good for anxiety.  One of the causes of anxiety is not knowing.  Writers can be unsure of many things in their manuscript, having conversations with an editor clears things up.  Whether the writing works or it doesn’t, knowing and being able to rework things is key.

Another part of the collective for clarification are beta readers.  Beta readers are people who will read your work and give you feedback.  The great thing about beta readers is that you can find some within the criteria of your target audience.  Beta readers are also great because while editors can put a financial dent in your budget, beta readers come relatively economical to free.  

Anxiety is an emotion that’s real.  Writers are emotional about their writing.  Life, emotions, and writing is messy.  In order to clean, writers must do the work.  Work=winning.  A writer’s work requires a collective for perspective.  The collective includes family, friends, an editor, and some beta readers.  Be messy in your writing, be clever; get clarity.  

Don’t be afraid to buy a pair of overalls, and write comfortably in them.  🙂