Be Your Mentor I hit the mentor jackpot early. In my twenties, while living young gifted, and Black in New York City, I met the groundbreaking feminist poet Audre Lorde, and the master teacher, poet, and social activist June Jordan.…
Write what you know BUT your deepest writing and knowledge of your story springs from piercing the fog of mystery surrounding what you don’t know…even when you think you do. Write What You Don’t Know Write the story of the…
For my books, article, and essays I have interviewed scores of people who possessed information, or perspectives I have needed to successfully write my stories. I have interviewed women who served time in prison, police officers, victims of rape, rapists,…
My forthcoming book The Strong Black Woman How A Myth Endangers The Physical and Mental of Black Women is written in a style I have come to call “communal memoir.” This is a narrative that incorporates interviews, conversations, dialogues, meditations,…
When you are writing a memoir you are writing a story. A story is a narrative-driven by action, drama, conflict, strong characters, and an arc of gradual transformation for the main character (you). The best stories enlarge you as you…
