"You are what you eat," is a popular saying that expresses the belief that the foods you consume will determine how your body looks and functions. But what about what you take into your mind, heart and soul as an artist?
Well, lately I have been exploring my creativity in different ways and I seem to be attracting even more possibilities and opportunities. First off, some of you may know this, but I have decided to forgo the traditional publishing route and release my novel Letters to Chyna as an e-book later this year! Not long after I made the decision (I hadn't told anyone), I received a request from my college friend and sister in writing, Monice Mitchell Simms to join her "Artistpreneur Community," a wonderfully diverse and talented group of writers, life coaches, radio personalites, bloggers and other artists from many varied backgrounds! I was thrilled and honored!
These artists will contribute informative pieces to her online magazine which is like a Bible for writers and artists. Just last year Monice published her own novel, Address: House of Corrections and charted her journey to help others going down the same path: Monice's journey to publication. My post, My Date With Digital was featured on the Monice Magazine: For Make Believers recently and the reception was incredible! There are a lot of writers out there who are looking for alternative ways to get their work out into the marketplace and my story was one a lot of them could relate to. Thanks to all of my readers who visited Monice's blog site! Twitter: @monicemitchell
A lot of you know that I am a social media beast! I love connecting with other artists and sharing my work through this medium. Due in part to my social networking, I have had the pleasure of meeting kindred poetic spirit Jaded Muse, and he recently asked me to write a Spring Renga, with him. A Spring Renga is a Japanese collaborative poetry piece consisting of seasonal, non-seasonal and themed haiku verses. I am having a blast so far with this and we plan to publish it when it's completed so stay tuned. I'll definitely keep you posted! Twitter: @JadedMuse
Another creative community I'm honored to be a part of is BlogNostics, which is what I'd like to call a "Literary Lounge." It's a welcoming and artistic environment where you can showcase your talents or just relax and enjoy the art of others. The powers that be at BlogNostics support and promote their writers in a myriad of ways. If you submit a particular amount of writing or art, you get your own special room that could be akin to an art gallery or electronic library! I was stoked to get my own Haiku Room and plan on adding works routinely so keep checking in! They also create wonderful spoken word videos and I'm looking foward to seeing one that I recently submitted be posted. You will definitely get to know me in a more "initimate" way when you see and hear it! Twitter: @Blognostics
The artistic angels surely are shining on me it seems because just this week I was asked to submit a short story or work of poetry for an upcoming book that will be published under the Social Potpourri banner! Sulekha Rawat is one of the most talented writers I know so to get this request was a special honor! Her new website Social Potpourri, which she started with fellow awesome blogger and writer Kriti Mukherjee , seeks to bring creative people of all backgrounds and nationalities together so they can grow and learn from one another. I will keep everyone abreast of the publication date for the book. Cheers Sulekha and Kriti! Twitter: @socialpotpourri @sulekkha @kritimukherjee
Last year I submitted a work to be considered for inclusion in The Women of Color Writers' Workshop & Community, BOUNDARIES & BORDERS A Women of Color GLOBAL ANTHOLOGY and I'm told that selected writers will be notified soon! Think a good thought for me readers! Twitter: @WOCWriters
To round out the collaborative efforts for now, I will be participating in Dress For Impressions, a fun look at lady bloggers and what they love to wear while blogging. My birthday twin in life and all things creative, the fabulously fashionable Lesley Ware, created this feature on her blog The Creative Cookie, to pay homage to creative female bloggers who love fashion. To be transparent, I am not that fashionable, but I am creative, so one out of two aint bad! Twitter: @CreativeCookie
As writers and bloggers sometimes we go it alone when coming up with and executing ideas, but it is truly amazing to be able to come together in the name of poetry, literary pursuits and art in general.
Happy Friday! Remember to always leave room in your art for a little collaboration!
CREATIVE QUESTION: What famous person would you like to collaborate with?
MY DREAM COLLABORATION: My collaborative partner would definitely be Prince. I would love to write a book consisting of 10 poems and have him set them to music. When he'd go on tour to promote the CD, I would be on book tour! We'd meet at the end and he'd call me onstage to jam to one of my own songs! I dream big yall! - My Twitter handle: @Tamstarz
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