Usually, I write a somewhat thematic often verbose introduction to these biweekly updates, but truth is, this time, I got nothin’. No common thread seemed to tie the last 14 days together, except maybe change (yes, more…), but I’ve used that one already. So, without further ado, here’s the latest update.
What I’m Reading
Unsurprisingly, I’m still savoring Earl Swift’s Chesapeake Requiem: A Year with the Watermen of Vanishing Tangier Island. I’m just about to start chapter 4. It’s been interesting to note how similar Swift’s experience on Tangier was to my own.
Writer Spotlights
Over the course of the next several months, I’ll occasionally use this space not only to feature fellow writers’ accomplishments, but also to highlight fellow writers’ stellar newsletters. If you’d like your newsletter featured in an upcoming issue, fill out this short Google Form.
“I consider my newsletter a community fed experience where what you have to say is as important as what I want to share with you.” — Lisa Cooper Ellison
Newsletter Title: Revising U
Description: Revising U is “an interactive zone where writers and growth-oriented people can learn more about the craft of writing, explore who they are, and develop strategies that will help them accomplish their dreams.”
Delivery: Every Tuesday, via email
My Favorite Feature: I love how interactive Lisa’s newsletter is. She invites her readers to respond to a weekly question in every newsletter, in addition to other initiatives. Lisa says, “I love hearing from my readers. It gives me insight into what matters most to them. Those answers are also meaningful to the rest of this community. Several readers have reached out to let me know how much they appreciate the things members of this community choose to share with the group. This year, I’m excited to include a monthly list of red-hot writers with recent publications as well as a list of milestone makers for those working to achieve their dreams. My hope is that this gives the writers and strivers in this community one more avenue for sharing their successes while also giving everyone else a chance to celebrate our community’s collective talent. Plus, seeing what people are publishing, and doing, can serve as inspiration and proof that our dreams are attainable.”
How to Subscribe: Click here!
Bonus: Those who subscribe will receive a free copy of Lisa’s e-book Write More, Fret Less: Five Brain Hacks that Will Supercharge Your Productivity, Creativity, and Confidence
Purpose: Lisa has four goals for her newsletter:
Provide writers with the skills that will help them write their best stories.
Help all newsletter readers understand the stories they’re telling themselves and what those stories mean.
Teach everyone how to revise the stories that no longer serve them, so they can live out the ones that do.
Have fun while serving others and growing my author platform.
Target Audience:
Writers interested in improving their storytelling skills
People who are interested in using storytelling for personal growth
“Because I write about grief, and in particular, the loss of my brother to suicide, some of my readers are interested in the strategies I share around healing and navigating loss.”
Want to know more? Listen to my January 2022 interview with Lisa!
Win an award? Have a new book coming out? Present at a conference? Publish an article? Want it shared in the “Writer Spotlights” section of an upcoming issue? I’d love to share your writerly news! Fill out this Google Form for a chance to be featured!
What I’m Working On
My Debut Novel: An Expected End
A year ago yesterday, I signed my book contract with Indignor House, a woman-owned small press out of Virginia Beach. I was able to make a lot of headway with my revisions during winter break, but due to my publisher’s being sick for the last few weeks, she and I are behind on our discussion of what I’ve done. We should be able to resume our work tomorrow.
Outdoor Writing
The link is now available for the digital version of my article, “Getting Out There: Virginia hiking group encourages women of color to explore the great outdoors.” It appears in my “Explore More” column in Cooperative Living Magazine and details a hike The Littles and I enjoyed with Black Girls Hike RVA back in November.
The 2023 editorial calendar is just about set, so I’m starting to plan my travel calendar around the new deadlines. There’s some super exciting outdoor fun in my future.
My next article will feature Maryland and Virginia state park programming, and I’m just beginning the interview process.
Teacher Life
My time with this current group of students is coming to its close, and will in fact have ended when the next issue of this newsletter goes out. Tomorrow and Thursday, my students will take their state-mandated End-of-Course Reading Standards of Learning test, and on January 31, I’ll meet my brand new batch of students. I hope they’re as delightful as the ones I’m about to send on their way.
Thursday is our first National English Honors Society (NEHS) meeting of 2023, and our last of fall semester. It also happens to be National Popcorn Day, so our featured snack will of course be popcorn. As a result, this weekend I found myself at the Northern Neck Popcorn Bag, where I bought a massive bag of salted dark chocolate caramel popcorn (yum!) for our NEHS students to savor at Thursday’s meeting.
The Littles
On a recent Saturday, the Littles and I visited two state parks with a friend. Below we’re taking a break from hiking at Staunton River State Park.
Nacho relaxes at home.
Soda with her big brown eyes
This is probably my newest favorite photo of The Littles. Here, Nacho and Soda sit in their stroller at a restaurant in the Northern Neck that offers a menu for dogs.
Look What I Saw Outside
The sunset from my backyard the first week of January
Below is a view of the Staunton River at Staunton River State Park. On a recent Saturday, the Littles, a friend, and I hiked just over 6.5 miles at this park and nearby Staunton River Battlefield State Park.
The Littles and I spent the weekend at the Northern Neck with family and friends, and one place we visited was the Enchanted Forest. Below is one of the many woodcarvings that can be found on the trees there.
Links to My Latest
Writing
My poem, “Home,” about the passing of my grandmother and some childhood memories she shared with me, is included in the The Poet Magazine’s summer 2022 anthology, Family. Vol. 1.
My most recently published piece is “Getting Out There: Virginia hiking club encourages women of color to explore the great outdoors,” which appears in the January issue of Cooperative Living Magazine in my column, “Explore More.”
Literary Calendar
January
January 19, 2023 | Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday and the Poetry Society of Virginia’s Annual Poetry Contest deadline |
Adults and students are invited to submit their poetry to this annual poetry contest open to residents of Virginia and students studying in Virginia. More information available here.
January 21-23, 2023 | Poe Museum Birthday Bash |
This three-day event features both in-person and virtual events celebrating 100 years of the Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia. From magic shows to poetry workshops, from local authors to living history—there really is something for everyone! Find the full weekend schedule here.
February
February 25, 2023 | 10:00 AM-4:00PM | “Teaching Literature for Liberation” | This in-person workshop will share new frameworks and lesson plans for teaching Vietnamese-American literature, particularly in secondary schools. Breakfast and lunch provided. Register online HERE.
Want your literary event to appear on the Literary Calendar in the next issue of my newsletter? I love to share book signings, writing conferences, literary festivals, workshops, classes, and readings. Just fill out this Google Form for a chance to be featured!