NEW SUBSCRIBER!! Hi Dominique, I'm so glad I found your channel. I'm also an aspiring author and it's great to see another aspiring Black author who also enjoys doing some of the same techniques and/or tools for writing as myself. Since I'm new here, I don't know much about you but I see you have nine videos up. I've been through three so far (and will certainly watch the rest). I didn't see a Q&A video, so excuse me if anything I ask, you've already covered in the videos I haven't seen yet. If you've already answered them in a video, if you can just put the word "video" as an answer, I will be sure to look out for my videos while watching. Here are my questions: MY QUESTIONS 1. What inspired you to become a writer? I saw in one of the videos that you used to review books (so do I, in addition to being a sensitivity reader) so is that what led you to write? I also watched your Toni Morrison video and she talks about writing a book you want to read. Was this also an inspiration? 2. You stated you have an agent, and that's great! Have you talked about that process in one of your videos? If not, do you care to share? I'm not ready for an agent as I'm still writing my first novel, however, my subconscious is still looking out for agents I hear of who I might be interested in approaching once my manuscript is ready to be shown? 3. Did you edit your first book yourself, or did you hire an editor? If so, what kind (i.e., developmental editor, or an edit once you were completely finished with the book and wanted someone to review it before searching for an agent)? 4. Have you ever done a writing residency and/or writing conference if so, which ones and what was your experience like as a Black writer? Although I have many more questions, those are my most pressing. LOL. Again, I enjoy watching your channel and I will look at your Substack. I have one as well and I find it a welcome addition to journaling my first time experience writing a novel. ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION I hadn't heard of the book by George (although I do read his Substack) or the "The Making of a Story" book. I have heard of the "Story" book and have that on reserve at my public library. Hopefully, it comes in soon. To answer your question about references for other craft books: I love EVERY craft book I've read (so far) by James Scott Bell because they are brief and to the point. He has a whole collection and he has a great course on Masterclass (which I find many of their writing classes extremely helpful)!! In addition, I just started reading a book called "DIY MFA." It seems interesting. The book is divided into three main parts: Writing, Reading, and Community. I'm hoping it gives me some insight into what is taught inside an MFA program (because I don't plan on pursuing an MFA after getting my bachelor's degree AND going to law school). Finally, I've heard good things about Anne Lamott's book "Bird by Bird," and that one is actually the book I'm reading next. Happy Writing!
Hi Angela! I'll do my best to answer your questions: 1. I think just being obsessed with the written word and organizing my thoughts on the page has been my inspiration to write. Also, I think I write better than I speak, lol. 2. I haven't talked about the agent process yet, but that's a good idea for sharing in a video later. Also if you're a fan of Story Club, his latest office hours post talks about ways of getting an agent as well. 3. Yes, all my edits up to this point have been self-edits. 4. And no, I haven't done a writing residency yet, but 🤞 Thanks for the reading recommendations and thank you for being here! Happy writing indeed!
Thank you for this, great recs! I often struggle with the fact that I didn’t get my undergrad in anything related to writing, so it’s nice to have resources like this to help with the craft.
New subscriber! This is such a stunning video and I love all of these Recs! I have this video saved and will absolutely be referring to it many times! My goal is to write more in 2024, too, so I'm excited to follow you!
I found Stein on writing to be an amazing book as well
Ooh, thanks for the recommendation!
NEW SUBSCRIBER!! Hi Dominique, I'm so glad I found your channel. I'm also an aspiring author and it's great to see another aspiring Black author who also enjoys doing some of the same techniques and/or tools for writing as myself. Since I'm new here, I don't know much about you but I see you have nine videos up. I've been through three so far (and will certainly watch the rest). I didn't see a Q&A video, so excuse me if anything I ask, you've already covered in the videos I haven't seen yet. If you've already answered them in a video, if you can just put the word "video" as an answer, I will be sure to look out for my videos while watching. Here are my questions:
MY QUESTIONS
1. What inspired you to become a writer? I saw in one of the videos that you used to review books (so do I, in addition to being a sensitivity reader) so is that what led you to write? I also watched your Toni Morrison video and she talks about writing a book you want to read. Was this also an inspiration?
2. You stated you have an agent, and that's great! Have you talked about that process in one of your videos? If not, do you care to share? I'm not ready for an agent as I'm still writing my first novel, however, my subconscious is still looking out for agents I hear of who I might be interested in approaching once my manuscript is ready to be shown?
3. Did you edit your first book yourself, or did you hire an editor? If so, what kind (i.e., developmental editor, or an edit once you were completely finished with the book and wanted someone to review it before searching for an agent)?
4. Have you ever done a writing residency and/or writing conference if so, which ones and what was your experience like as a Black writer?
Although I have many more questions, those are my most pressing. LOL. Again, I enjoy watching your channel and I will look at your Substack. I have one as well and I find it a welcome addition to journaling my first time experience writing a novel.
ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION
I hadn't heard of the book by George (although I do read his Substack) or the "The Making of a Story" book. I have heard of the "Story" book and have that on reserve at my public library. Hopefully, it comes in soon. To answer your question about references for other craft books: I love EVERY craft book I've read (so far) by James Scott Bell because they are brief and to the point. He has a whole collection and he has a great course on Masterclass (which I find many of their writing classes extremely helpful)!! In addition, I just started reading a book called "DIY MFA." It seems interesting. The book is divided into three main parts: Writing, Reading, and Community. I'm hoping it gives me some insight into what is taught inside an MFA program (because I don't plan on pursuing an MFA after getting my bachelor's degree AND going to law school). Finally, I've heard good things about Anne Lamott's book "Bird by Bird," and that one is actually the book I'm reading next.
Happy Writing!
Hi Angela! I'll do my best to answer your questions:
1. I think just being obsessed with the written word and organizing my thoughts on the page has been my inspiration to write. Also, I think I write better than I speak, lol.
2. I haven't talked about the agent process yet, but that's a good idea for sharing in a video later. Also if you're a fan of Story Club, his latest office hours post talks about ways of getting an agent as well.
3. Yes, all my edits up to this point have been self-edits.
4. And no, I haven't done a writing residency yet, but 🤞
Thanks for the reading recommendations and thank you for being here! Happy writing indeed!
Thank you for this, great recs! I often struggle with the fact that I didn’t get my undergrad in anything related to writing, so it’s nice to have resources like this to help with the craft.
Indeed! Hope it helps!
Happy New year! Thankyou for the reccomendations! Look forward to checking them out!
Happy New Year to you as well! Hope they come in handy!
This is such an awesome list. I haven't heard of any of them before. Definitely excited to check them out!
Glad to share! Thanks for watching!
New subscriber! This is such a stunning video and I love all of these Recs! I have this video saved and will absolutely be referring to it many times!
My goal is to write more in 2024, too, so I'm excited to follow you!