Hey you!
This warm weather got me feeling like a brand new chick. Why does winter even exist, anyway? Those long nights ain’t cute. Fix it, Mother Nature!
I’m sending you love, sunshine, and inspiration in this 13th issue! Trust, over at Oh, Write 13 ain’t an unlucky number.
Writer’s Log #3
I wrote three novel-length first drafts last year. They are currently sitting in my Google Drive.
After stumbling across one of those files last night, I was smacked across the face with a negative thought, “Was writing those books a waste of time because I’m not going to publish them?”
I had to answer myself with a quickness: No, it was not a waste of time.
The value of your art has nothing to do with whether you monetize it or not.
The books I’ve written mean the world to me. They’ve taught me so much about myself. One of the most important things they’ve taught me is that I’ve got a heck of a lot of tenacity.
Writing a book is a creative marathon. Just getting through the first draft is such a big win. Most people can’t say that they’ve done that.
I can bind those books one day, put them on my bookshelf next to Toni Morrison and Zora Neale Hurston, and say, “I did that.” My children, children’s children, and children’s children’s children can read these books. That means everything.
In the age of the internet, you can monetize everything. This is both a blessing and a curse. It can be hard to have a hobby. People often hit you with the, “You should sell this!” “You should create a YouTube channel!” “You should stream this!”
It’s okay to create things that are just for you, or you and yours if you’re willing to share. Your writing is impactful regardless of who can see it. The most important thing is that you never stop creating.
I’m going to write my next book in July, for Camp NaNoWriMo. I’m going to start planning it now, so I can write like the wind once July comes.
As for the files on my Google Drive, I think I might publish a copy of one of my books, just for me. It deserves a space on my bookshelf, where it can be seen.
5 Things I Consumed
BROCKHAMPTON’s music video for “BUZZCUT”
Vic Mensa’s new project “I TAPE”
Ryan Matthews’ Skillshare class “Igniting The Fictional Dream: Setting and the Senses”
Bbymutha’s COLORS performance of “Heavy Metal”
The first Kingdom Hearts (finished the game for the umpteenth time)
This tweet giving flowers to our good sis Natasha Bedingfield:
3 Things I Created
The Designated Driver: an excerpt I wrote for the aforementioned Skillshare class, that sprouted legs so I might turn it into a novel whoops
Episode 3 of my serial fiction series Playing Nice
The first segment of my pop culture series on Medium, Content Consumed
Writing Prompts
Write a story set in a society where its beauty standards are drastically different from the ones you’re familiar with.
Write a story from the perspective of this brave human being, as he’s traveling through space. What’s his thought process during this death-defying act?
Document a supervillain team’s first heist—where they’re bound to make some mistakes. Do they succeed? Do they end up in prison for many years? Use this resource to create the perfect heist.
Conclusion
Thank you so much for reading Oh, Write!
For more Oh, Write content, check out the Medium publication.
Have any questions, comments, or concerns? Hit ya girl up!
Subscribe if you haven’t already. If you’re interested in supporting the publication/newsletter, consider buying me a coffee. Follow me on social media on Instagram, Twitter, and Medium. And, above all, keep creating!
Love,
Nia