Busting my A** During Quarantine
It has been so long since I’ve done a blog post on my website. But I think now is the time to do it.
I lot has happened during this time. I am very grateful for having a job (for now.. more on that later) during this time of Covid-19. A lot of people are being laid off and as a result, are struggling to survive. It is an absolute luxury to be able to work from home and away from possible infection. Many black, brown, and marginalized folks can’t say the same.
But with that said, I am worried. There are impending layoffs and budget cuts. Working in higher ed for almost 20 years, it is often a crapshoot to which departments will be affected. I have no idea if it will be mine or not.
In the meantime, I am forging ahead with my own personal goals. The podcast is ending its first season on a high note. We profiled about 7 minority women writers in romance. It was so fun to talk to different writers about how and why they write romance. From that, I think I’ve forges some great, new relationships. I am really grateful for Twitter for allowing me to do that.
Speaking of Twitter, I made a decision during this time to engage more with the app, as it is the place where most writers spend most of their time. I’ve had quite a few fellow writers follow me which has warmed my heart. I also started a Twitter for the podcast and I am hoping it will allow some engagement with publishing and media companies. I’d love to be the first to review or get books that fit our demo for the podcast.
Twitter and Instagram have been just more than amazing. It also connected me with some amazing writers. For example, I happened to just Instagram about how my daughter and I enjoyed Nancy Redd’s children’s book “Bedtime Bonnet”. From there, she connected with me and we talked. When she learned I was a writer, she connected me with a network of folks. Same for Twitter: I happened to be on there and a woman invited me to join a group of writers via Slack that had their own collective. I was overjoyed that people cared enough and were paying attention to little old me!
I’ve been watching a LOT of TV: Netflix, Prime, Hulu. I have been devouring every single romance movie and show possible. My latest obsession: Sweet Magnolias on Netflix. What’s most hilarious is Heather Headly, a woman from Trinidad, with a Southern accent? HI-LARIOUS!
I’ve also been reading. Since I’m working from home, I’ve been listening to a lot of audiobooks of some of my faves: Brenda Jackson, Rochelle Alers, Talia Hibbert. And of course, Jasmine Guillory. I’ve been tearing through so much romance and YA fiction, that I think I’m setting a personal record. I’ve even pre-ordered several pieces.
But the main thing happening during this quarantine is writing. I’ve been writing my ass off. I sent my last book to a few beta readers/friends for feedback. Although I got a few query rejections from it, I don’t want to give up on it. I am thinking about self-publishing this one. And once the manuscript is done for this “Untitled” project, I definitely want to query it. My goal: To get an agent in 2020. And I think what I am working on now is the work to really capture someone’s eye. I love my characters. They are full, rich, and unapologetically black. They are in my demographic (Xennials, HBCU grads, etc). I just hope it isn’t too niche. crosses fingers. Then again, niche and diversity are in. Given the whole blow-up within the RWA (Romance Writers of America), I think folks are really desiring #ownstories now more than ever.
Next, I think I want to hop back on YouTube. I have to jot some notes as to what I want the content to be about. What do writers talk about on YouTube? I’ve tried to look at some and I just get confused. Books? Reviews? Etc. I mean, I have a toddler. I don’t have time to read like I used to (hence the “cheating” with audiobooks). Most times, I read “regular” books via Kindle or Hardback on the toilet. Sad, but so true.
So with all of that said, let me get to writing
PS: Writing sex scenes are much harder than they appear to be.