What A Wacky Week!

"Writing does not exclude the full life. It DEMANDS it." - Katherine Anne Porter

Its a good thing that our friend Katherine pointed out the demands of the writing life. If not, I might have ...i dunno, thought I was going CRAZY!! These are some of the things that happened in my life this week that will somehow add fuel to my writing fire.

1. I had a tooth removed and have been highly medicated every since,

2. Spent time in the classrooms of my eldest child. Ahhh, the joys of Middle School. Only to hear a student share that for Thanksgiving he was thankful that he knows who his father is. Another was thankful for Lil Wayne on all the rap songs that he likes.

3. I took another trip to the dentist for the kids check up, only for them to inform me that "bad patient" was written in my 6 year olds file. She ran around the office screaming, and foaming at the mouth during her last visit. Thank heavens we redeemed ourselves. She did fantastic!

4.Prepared for the big move...

5. And, threw in some reading for good measure.

I would through in the rest but I might scare you away!

What wacky things happened in your week?

Hugs, Kisses & Best Wishes,

Miss Know It All

What A Wacky Week!

Something to Hold On To

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hosting the Literary Salon for the National Black Arts Festival. I started off the morning with a workshop on "Words and Pictures" A Cinematic Marriage with filmmaker Jonee' Ansa and his wife novelist Tina McElroy Ansa and then I finished off the evening with a tribute to E. Lynn Harris, author of Invisible Life in addition to ten other novels. So needless to say...I had a stellar day!

Through the National Black Arts Festival, I have had the opportunity to meet many people that I admire but I have been blessed to have found a friend in Tina McElroy Ansa and when I learned of E. Lynn's passing I thought of no other person to help me pull together a tribute.

I wish I could place into words the experience that was had by all that attended the event. But even if I could, I feel as if I would be violating a sacred place and time designated for his friends that loved and morned him together. But for those of us simply that adored his books, there was an intimate space that we were humbled at the opportunity to enter.

One of the key things that I pulled out of the whole affair was the consistent message that E. Lynn Harris, outside of being a gay black man...was indeed a hu-man above all things. He laughed, loved, hurt as we all do. But the thing that stuck with me the most is that he was giving without conviction. To his friends, fans and all that had the pleasure of meeting him. His nakedness as a writer allowed us to dream, to be and to stretch ourselves in ways that we never imagined. As I listened intently, I thought to myself, what a legacy. What an example of absolute humanness to encourage us all to live in this world. Despite of the everyday madness of life, our fears and our pain, we have been given the courage to own the right to be whoever and whatever you are and at the end of the day, when the lights are low and the only breath that you have is your own, you can sleep without worry because you to have something to hold on to. YOU...

I challenge you to consider your legacy. What stain will you leave on the world after you have long left this place? Weigh in with your comments, I can't wait to hear from you.

Holding on,

Miss Know It All

Something to Hold On To

A Time for Celebration!

I did it! On April 11, 2009, I released my first collection of poetry entitled, Somewhere Round Midnight. The release party was held at The Feed Store in College Park, Georgia. It was an intimate gathering of family and friends, good food & GREAT cocktails! A very special thank you goes to all that came out to support and celebrate with me. Robert, who I adore for saying so many wonderful things about me that evening, Simone who worked wonders with my make-up, John Crooms for the wonderful photos, Patrick Witt, Manager of The Feed Store and Taylor & Devyn Wright my children for being awesome all night! Taylor even performed an original piece for the evening called “Success”. I can’t wait to do it all again! For more information on how to purchase copies of Somewhere Round Midnight please contact me at missknowitall.blog@gmail.com. Thanks again for all the love!

Miss Know It All

A Time for Celebration!

Why Not Me? - Part Deux

Okay...so I don't know if you remember but in March, I submitted a manuscript of poetry to Cave Canem. Well, I heard back from Cave Canem's Summer Retreat Selection Committee and unfortunately, I didn't make it in this year. I know, I know i couldn't believe it either! Just kidding. Cave Canem is a retreat for writers committed to the discovery and cultivation of new voices in African American poetry. The application process is very competitive and there are hundreds of applicants every year. The gift and the curse to the process is that fellows of the program are allowed to re-attend for a couple of summers after their initial experience. I'm not upset about the decision because at this point, I'm just happy that an organization of their caliber exists. It's kinda like when you were a kid and you fell off of your bike. It might have really hurt but , you rise up, dust yourself off and get back on for the next adventure.

The waiting time for the results was the hardest part but I used that creative energy for other creative projects that I had in mind. In my April 8th blog, 10 Things To Do When You're Not Feeling As Confident Or Creative As A Writer, I gave a list of suggestions for times like this. What I decided to do was:

1. Read a couple of books,
2. Participated in other writing projects,
3. Revised and completed un-finished projects.

I will continue to write and prepare for next years submission in the mean time. Thank you to everyone that sent me wonderful words of encouragement and remember,

"You are the only person on earth who can use your ability" - Zig Ziglar

Miss Know It All

Why Not Me? - Part Deux

Thee Days Down...Two More To Go!

Happy May 1st everyone! Sorry I haven't blogged in a minute but I have been taking time to explore my life in all of its splendor, richness and lack thereof.


Well, last night, Family Movie Night, my kids and I decided to make pizza. The 5 year old made a delicious turkey peperoni pizza with a tomato base that oozed with creamy mozzarella (she just loves counting all of those circles). My lovely 9...excuse me 91/2 year old made a scrumptious vegetarian pizza. Sun-dried tomato pesto base, creamy mozzarella, a aromatic & nutty Parmesan cheese, pineapples, red onion, and get this...veggie chicken strips. WOW! It was so delicious, inexpensive and quick. These nights with my girls are important and a lot of fun. They are eating relatively healthy and they really enjoy taking pride in the end result.


Days like this reminds me of what my life is really about. Why I do what I do (work, write, live explore..) and why its important that I do it with such fever and confidence. They enjoy watching me grow and being a part of that world. I enjoy sharing. It opens up a dialogue that otherwise may not take place between homework and bedtime. Besides, having Chris Brown serenade us in the background added extra fun and opportunity too learn the newest dance crazes between the sprinkles of cheese and getting the pizzas in the oven.


What is your recipe for happiness and success? Is it taking time for your family as I have or is it a 30 minute Swedish massage to rejuvenate yourself? Try to make it a part of your weekly if not daily routine to take time for those moments that require very little of you but that mean a whole lot as to how you function and produce on a consistent bases.


Whatever it is that you do, I would love to hear about it. Please leave your comments in the comments section below this post.


Ciao,
Miss Know It All

Thee Days Down...Two More To Go!

10 Things To Do When You're Not Feeling As Confident or Creative As A Writer...

As Promised.

1. Join A Writer's Workshop-These are particularly good when I feel stuck or stagnated. Nothing like a good workshop to get the fire lit under your butt!
2. Take A Course-A writer's course or otherwise expand your knowledge base you just might surprise yourself with the results.
3. Explore other creative outlets-Photography, painting, drawing, scrap booking, gardening...
4. Go To An Arts Museum-Explore different time periods, take a pad for notes and see where the eye can take you.
5. Read A Book-Escape to unknown worlds through literature and be inspired by a character or place, a quote or emotion that you experience.
6. Read Up On Your Craft-Expand your current mindset or knowledge base. Find out different ways to take your writing to the next level.
7. Look Through Old Pictures-There's nothing like memories to get the creative juices flowing.
8. People Watch-Ride a train, plane, take a ride in your car and observe the life happening all around you.
9. Revise Or Complete Unfinished Projects-A moment away can often bring a fresh perspective to a project.
10. Involve Others In Your Creative Process-Invite your girlfriends over for conversation, see what's going on in their lives. Let them know that you are looking for inspiration. Great stuff can come out of these sessions!

BONUS: Start a Blog!!!

The most important thing to remember is that life is happening all around us. Enrich the world with your perspective. We are waiting to hear from you...

Keep Up the Good Work,

Miss Know It All

10 Things To Do When You're Not Feeling As Confident or Creative As A Writer...

Happy Poetry Month! Poem #1

The only thing missing

Amidst the stinging silence
Between us there lies the truth of our love.
Commitment and faith slips
through the spaces of our
Distance and we
Evolve into
Forever.
Giving all that we have yet
Having nothing at the same time.

I pray that the ends to this frayed rope
find us and we connect yet again.
Just one last kiss
Kissing one
Last
Moment hello and goodbye at the same time.
Never letting go of that moment
Opening up to the possibilities of new love from an old love
Putting the hurt and the pain away not
Questioning what could be or what could have been.

Real as this may seem
Some storms are made to nurture and grow things
Taking all and nothing into consideration and teaching us that
Vulnerability is a sacred and bare place. So I ask...
Will you grow there with me?

X-rayed promises gives
sight to normally unseen love and
Yesterday’s love is but a sleep away
our dreams are the
Zenith of all of loves realities.

So I ask of you
Will you go with me?


by A. Wright a.k.a Miss Know It All

Happy Poetry Month! Poem #1

Why Not Me?

Well, I did it. I finally finished a manuscript for the opportunity to become a fellow of the Cave Canem Summer Retreat (a retreat for writers committed to the discovery and cultivation of new voices in African American poetry). I have submitted before but this time I believe I have a manuscript that I am proud of. I have always known how excitingly competitive it is but that only gave me fuel for my fire. It only made me ask myself..."why not me?" and surprisingly I listen to that pesky inner voice and continue to ask myself the question of why not me?

It's not so much a matter of what if I get in or when, what matters most to my creative spirit is what I choose to do at those moments when I'm not feeling as confident or creative as the moment I did when I stuck the manuscript in the mail. Maybe I will think of ten great things that I can do and share them with you. Until next time...

Beware,

Miss Know It All

Why Not Me?