Tananarive Due

Gratitude is more important to me this week, when so many people around me are in fear and mourning. Gratitude is tha antidote to hopelessness, focusing on what we have and where we are instead of what we have lost or what obstacles may lay ahead.

I’m grateful for my wonderful partner, Steven Barnes. I’m grateful for the company of other…[Read more]

I like to think I was “born” a writer, but I think being raised by oral storytellers with shelves crammed with books MADE me a writer by the time I was 4. I wrote and illustrated a picture book called “Baby Bobby,” and it was off to the races! (They say “Write what you know!”)

I was listening to a standup comic last night who laughs a lot and shared his secret for happiness: instead of beating himself up for what he’s NOT doing, he appreciates himself for what he IS doing. So when the voices say, “Hey, loser–I thought you were going to finish your essay/story today,” I’m going to try to substitute a voice that says,…[Read more]

I was listening to a standup comic last night who laughs a lot and shared his secret for happiness: instead of beating himself up for what he’s NOT doing, he appreciateds himself for what he IS doing. So when the voices say, “Hey, loser–I thought you were going to finish your essay/story today,” I’m going to try to substitute a voice that says,…[Read more]

I also remain thankful for the blessing of a cyber communnity. I got a lot work done on my essay in response to the election–which is all about healing, coping and formulating a plan through it, based on lessons from my civil rights activist parents and authors like Octavia E. Butler, who saw all of this coming. I will share it when it’s ready.…[Read more]

This may be a stretch, but can you lay even long-term plans to change where you live? Even making plans, no matter how far-fetched, may give you more of a sense of control–and if you DECIDE to stay where you are rather than feeling trapped, that may help too.

Just a thought. Aside from that–what everybody else said. 🙂

The great thing about visualizing a machine is that it helps us detach from notions of spoiling our Muses with special treats: a deserted cabin, a five-hour writing block, exactly 76 degrees.

So here’s my new voice: “You’ve lost it.” That’s the voice you have to look forward to, if you’re a beginner. The voice changes, it doesn’t go away. Sometimes that voice moves me to action, sometimes it paralyzes me. So I try to rely on other methods to motivate myself (including the To-Do List hubby has been pushing for years). If you use Google…[Read more]

Great! And I can’t wait to see what films your produce in the wake of these times. I think I will repurpose that post for my blog.