Ask the Author: Cindy Brookshire
Answered Questions (5)
Cindy Brookshire
Go to a writer's workshop or conference. Get involved in a local writers group or critique group. Read Stephen King's "On Writing." As you gain experience move from "attendee" to "participant" to "leader." Never stop giving back. Encourage other aspiring writers.
Cindy Brookshire
I follow The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, so every day I start by writing three morning pages. I don't get inspired to write, I clear away the brain clutter and set the stage for writing. It's not easy. I have a story that I started writing nearly four decades ago, and only now am I getting it to the point where - I may not be satisfied with it - but I'm ready to let it go and put it to bed. At the same time, I'm scribbling notes for a future story. When I listen to my artist friend who works with clay and painting, she goes through the same thing - reshaping, painting over. It's the process of writing that is thrilling - connecting with the Creator.
Cindy Brookshire
I follow The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, so every day I start by writing three morning pages. I don't get inspired to write, I clear away the brain clutter and set the stage for writing. It's not easy. I have a story that I started writing nearly four decades ago, and only now am I getting it to the point where - I may not be satisfied with it - but I'm ready to let it go and put it to bed. At the same time, I'm scribbling notes for a future story. When I listen to my artist friend who works with clay and painting, she goes through the same thing - reshaping, painting over. It's the process of writing that is thrilling - connecting with the Creator.
Cindy Brookshire
I love it when books find me. When Covid restrictions eased and we were able to return to face-to-face church services I found the donated book bin in the parish hall had grown to three bins in our absence. A book at the top spoke to me: "We're Just Like You, Only Prettier," by Celia Rivenbark. She's written six or seven books and writes a column for the Wilmington newspaper - funny, outrageous. I read half the book to my husband while we drove on a long road trip. We laughed out loud and snorted at lines in each of the essays.
A more serious book I'm reading is "How We Fight White Supremacy," with many poignant pieces written by a variety of writers. One of them, Kiese Laymon, so impressed me, I bought his memoir, "Heavy" to read next. Both books I ordered from Mahogany Books, an excellent Black Books Matter source online, with a brick-and-mortar store in Anacostia, in the Washington DC area. Ramunda Young and her husband and daughter just opened a new store on Aug. 7, 2021 at National Harbor. I'm educating myself through their books, and the empowerment blog on their website.
The best thing I can do is read, read, read - and in my daily interactions with people listen, listen, listen. And continue to alternate the light and thought-provoking books that I encounter.
A more serious book I'm reading is "How We Fight White Supremacy," with many poignant pieces written by a variety of writers. One of them, Kiese Laymon, so impressed me, I bought his memoir, "Heavy" to read next. Both books I ordered from Mahogany Books, an excellent Black Books Matter source online, with a brick-and-mortar store in Anacostia, in the Washington DC area. Ramunda Young and her husband and daughter just opened a new store on Aug. 7, 2021 at National Harbor. I'm educating myself through their books, and the empowerment blog on their website.
The best thing I can do is read, read, read - and in my daily interactions with people listen, listen, listen. And continue to alternate the light and thought-provoking books that I encounter.
Cindy Brookshire
I plan speakers for our monthly writers' group meetings at the library and work with a spoken word poet to organize regular open mics at an ice cream parlor. In fall 2021 I will lead weekly "Telling Our Stories" sessions at the senior center, to encourage people to write down their memories for their children and grandchildren. Our writer's group is leading four workshops in 2021-22 as part of an NEA Big Read grant. The entire town of Clayton, NC is being encouraged to read Sandra Cisneros' "The House on Mango Street." I look forward to hearing the voices that come out of all of these engaging experiences, and what I will in turn write for myself as a result of being engaged with my community!
Cindy Brookshire
The Artist's Way! Julia Cameron wrote an excellent book, based on her work with other writers. She encourages writers to form small, FREE groups to meet and work through their struggles and obstacles together in 12-week cycles. I have facilitated The Artist's Way FREE groups locally at the library and on Zoom. I hope to start up another local group in October 2021. The basic tools: 1/write three morning pages every day, uncensored, stream of consciousness. 2/take yourself on an art date once a week. Check out Julia's author page on Goodreads!
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