My husband and I recently took a week long trip to Tampa, FL to visit family. While we were there, my husband celebrated his 40th birthday. On his special day, we attended an event at the Tampa Theater hosted by Oxford Exchange featuring Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead. Whitehead was there promoting his newest book, Nickel Boys.
Nickel Boys, a historical fiction, is inspired by events that took place at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna, FL. My husband’s maternal grandmother worked down the highway from Dozier at Chattahoochee State Hospital. After attending the event, I called my grandmother-in-law and she I discussed the Dozier School in great detail. She had intimate knowledge of the trauma inflicted on boys at the school and she knew several people who sent their children there for “reform.” My grandmother-in-law was happy to know that Colson wrote this book so that the world will know the Dozier story.
I hope you check out Nickel Boys along with his other books which include, The Underground Railroad (Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award Winner), Sag Harbor, and The Intuitionist: A Novel.
As a newly published author and an avid writer, I am always looking for tools and advice that enrich my craft and enhance my intellectual wellness. Colson’s words of wisdom shared during this event didn’t disappoint. I am sharing 4 lessons from his talk that uplifted and encouraged me to become a better writer.
1. Find a Writing Routine that Works for You
"You don't have to write everyday." - Colson Whitehead
As a writer, I've felt pressure to write everyday. I've read and heard numerous times from successful writers to write everyday. This pressure to write everyday isn't good for my mental health, my stress level, or my creativity. It was refreshing to hear Whitehead say that writers have to develop a writing plan that works best for them. I've taken his words to heart. When I find myself getting overwhelmed by writing or overwhelmed just thinking about writing, I take a break. I have to for my emotional wellness.
2. Forget the Audience
"I don't think about audience at all...I am writing for myself." - Colson Whitehead
I've always felt compelled to write about various topics. When I wrote my first book, Everyday Prayers for Servant Leaders, I wrote over 300 prayers for myself, not thinking about the audience. It wasn't until my dad wanted me to publish my prayers for others that I thought about the audience. It was freeing to write without feeling obligated to please the reader, but to free myself of the words that need to be released. His words are exactly what I need to hear.
3. Just do it, Write
"It's legitimate if it's good." - Colson Whitehead
Whitehead told the audience the types of things he likes to read and one type of writing is a novella. This was surprising to me an also at least one other audience member. During the question and answer section of the event, this audience member expressed her surprise at him reading a novella. He let her know that if the writing is good, then someone in the market will appreciate it, so just write good stuff
4. Find your Writing Spark
"Fantasy has always made me want to write." - Colson Whitehead This statement really made me think about what makes me want to write. For me, writing is my preferred art form. I enjoy scribbling thoughts on pieces of paper, filling journals with philosophical works, and blogging about the things I love. I often find my spark from things I feel, see, smell, hear, and even taste. The overload of my senses has always sparked my writings. Take time to think about what sparks your writing.