Over the past few months, I’ve prided myself in making a lot of progress on personal projects, even reaching new milestones in going on submissions with Book #1. This week, however, doesn’t feel so great. I’m doubting myself. I wonder why I’ve put so much work into this craft and whether or not the world will be fair to a young, gay, and black writer.
Since I know these feelings can come and go, I’m trying to be gentle with myself. I don’t try to write more than a few words a day and I seek out resources to help inspire me.
Things To Help You Stay Creatively Inspired When You’re Taking A Writing Break
Conversation with a Native Son: Maya Angelou and James Baldwin | This video has so many gems, but it’s so soothing to see two literary icons smiling, vibing, and being real about the pitfalls of mainstream success.
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke | I read this book while in India and it gave me so much of the wisdom I seek when I talk to older writers. An older poet, Rainer Maria Rilke, starts to receive letters from a young poet that attends Rilke’s alma matter. The book is short, powerful, and stirring.
Fits and Starts | A 2017 film about a pair of dating writers; one has a best-selling book and the other is trying to get his debut work noticed. The film is funny, sentimental, a little cooky, and by the end, it had me crying because of how simply it visualized every writer’s dream - getting that dream book published.
A Writer's Time: Making The Time To Write - Dr. Ken Atchity | "Everything suddenly changes when the world believes in your creativity. But the only way you're going to get to that point is if you absolutely control what you're doing and believe in yourself. And even if you don't believe in it, keep acting as though you do. You don't have to feel good. And you don't have to feel good in order to do good work. You can work. And normally when you work you get rid of these feelings anyway."