November 1st is National Author’s Day. Books are often a gateway to our imagination and dreams. When you read an amazing book you may even wonder about the brilliant author behind the title. An author’s creation can help us to relieve stress, increase our knowledge, overcome obstacles and even provide a sense of community through book club involvement. Various genres of fiction, non-fiction, children, sci-fi, erotica and more help us throughout our daily lives.
Some may give little insight as to the creatives behind the book but National Author’s Day is just one day to acknowledge their craft. From sleepless nights to monetary demands, a published book is nothing to take lightly. An author’s imagination, writing skill, creativity and passion are put onto the pages of a book for the world to see. It can be frightening for some authors while also an overall accomplishment. This Author’s Day I want to highlight some amazing authors of various genres who have given us their published masterpieces for us to enjoy. Get into this creativity:
photos by Marissa Robicheau Photography
“My writing will inspire, teach and show love to all who read it.”
What authors inspired your author journey?
Many authors inspired my writing journey but the most notable would be Robert Munsch. I have always dreamed of having a big collection of books written by me! My passion has always been writing children’s books but I do write for adults too. My collection isn’t anywhere near large at the moment but I am hopeful that one day my dream will come true.
How does your writing resonate with Black culture?
All my life I felt out of place. I am a mixed race so I always had this feeling of not knowing where I belong and feeling out of place on either side. When I write my books, I keep those feelings on the surface and make sure to really educate those around me. I make sure to educate myself on Black culture and POC in general so that I learn what I was not taught growing up. It’s important to me that I have several books that children and families feel represented in. I don’t want a child to struggle to find a book where characters look like them or their family.
How do you get into your creative writing zone?
Getting those creative moments to write has been a struggle lately while working full time as an educator, taking full time classes, battling a chronic illness and taking care of my daughter (and marriage). Normally, it always includes a bottomless cup of coffee and chips! I don’t really have one set process because my mind is always going but aside from coffee and chips, music and alone time helps as well. You gotta go with your mood and find what works for you. You might have a set process every time or you may find that your process changes every time like mine does!
photo by Rebecca Dupas | cover art by Marcellus Shane Jackson
“My writing will peel back the layers of obscure history, present readers with an unexpected adventure, and highlight the diverse experiences of underrepresented characters in literature.”
What authors inspired your author journey?
I have been inspired by so many authors it’s difficult to name them all, but here’s you go: Tyehimba Jess. Tyehimba Jess is a phenomenal poet. I adore the way his poems push the envelope. Octavia E. Butler. How could I not mention the Godmother of Black Science Fiction? My love of Black speculative fiction began with Wild Seed. L.A. Banks. I inhaled The Vampire Huntress Series and had the opportunity to have an extensive conversation with L.A. before her untimely death at one of her book signings. Her advice still sticks with me today. She was an awesome, awesome writer. Tananarive Due is a gem. I am grateful for her tutelage. Ntozake Shange wrote across genres and she managed to be phenomenal at every thing she wrote. That is my goal. P. Djeli Clark is a savant. He is a giant. I’m lucky to have worked with him on several occasions.
How does your writing resonate with Black culture?
My latest YA novel, Dr. Marvellus Djinn’s Odd Scholars is set in the Jim Crow South. In the novel, a mysterious magician hosts a series of competitions that will award four teens the opportunity to tour The Motherland, her amusement park of magic and African mythological creatures. The story’s setting is informed by the obscure history of Black owned amusement parks in the 1930s. And Dr. Marvellus Djinn is loosely based on Black Herman, an early twentieth century magician and follower of Marcus Garvey. My stories feature Black characters with agency. My characters are sculptors of their own worlds and those worlds are chock full of the colors and textures of the Black experience. I don’t know how to write anything else.
How do you get into your creative writing zone?
Several years ago, I took an online screenwriting course with Tananarive Due. She suggested that I write a sentence a day. That advice alleviated the pressures of daily word counts. Now, I never write a sentence each day. It always spirals into more. This advice has helped me to develop the habit of writing even when I’m not “inspired.” I write poetry, plays, nonfiction, picture books, short stories, and novels. I also work on several projects at once. If I’m “not feeling” one project, I will pick up another. I don’t really have to rely on getting into a “zone” anymore. I also read quite a bit, so I’m inspired often.
photos courtesy of Kristi Guillory Reid
“My writing will make people smile and will make people think.”
What authors inspired your author journey?
The authors that inspired my journey are the bold, African-American authors who were never afraid of their Blackness and greatness. Maya Angelou is an inspiration. James Baldwin, Alex Haley, and Zora Neale Hurston are also some of my favorites.
How does your writing resonate with Black culture?
My writing is for anyone, but I wrote my book with Black culture, specifically, my daughter in mind. I wanted to write a book that showed a strong, positive, African-American family as well as a strong African-American female main character. In my book, I specifically chose words to inspire little girls and little Black children. For example, I wrote that the main character, Harper, expresses love for her curly hair. I also wrote that Harper knows that she can do and be anything which is an important thing that I want to convey to Black children – the sky’s the limit for them.
How do you get into your creative writing zone?
I don’t have any specific rituals for me to get into my creative writing zone. I do a lot of writing in my head. Thoughts or words will come to me and when they do, I tend to start writing. I can “feel” when it’s time for me to write. I also like to step away from my writing for a while and come back to it with fresh eyes. No writing day is the same. I also like to look at things happening in my life as inspiration for my writing.
photos by David Kenyon Photography
“My writing will inspire others to believe in themselves.”
What authors inspired your author journey?
Maya Angelou & Toni Morrison are two authors that inspired me over the years. I love their work.
How does your writing resonate with Black culture?
My writing resonates with Black culture because I am a Black woman living in a world very familiar to many I’ve encountered who had children early and lost themselves as they kept everyone else together.
How do you get into your creative writing zone?
I need music on and Beyonce gives me the strength to make it happen!
photos by Celina Maria Photography
“My writing will inspire and produce deep emotions.”
What authors inspired your author journey?
Toni Morrison and Zora Neale Hurston are two of my favorite authors. But I’d have to say my writing/author journey was more inspired by educators and mentors. When I was a senior in high school, I met journalist and novelist Leonard Pitts Jr. The entire senior class was reading his book, Before I Forget; and I was able to contact and invite him to our school for a Q&A session. I remember how he talked about his characters as if they were real people. It was hard to ignore how connected he was to his characters and his story. At the time, I was working on finishing my first novel and I wanted nothing more than to be so connected to my words that it inspired another aspiring writer to do the same.
How does your writing resonate with Black culture?
The lack of representation of black characters in children’s books is a known issue. As a new children’s book author, my writing is intentional about filling those gaps. My baby book, Awaiting Baby highlights a family awaiting the arrival of their baby and looking forward to the memories they’ll create. I wrote it for my husband to read while I was pregnant with our daughter. At the time, I didn’t see very many books—especially with characters who look like me—that allowed the parents the opportunity to express their excitement for bringing a new life into the world. Since that was important to me, and I saw a need, I created it.
How do you get into your creative writing zone?
I love to hear the sound of rain hitting the window seal as I’m writing. So, if it’s raining, I’ll throw on my writing playlist, which has a little bit of everything (R&B, Soul, my favorite songs from musicals, jazz, hip hop, etc). Depending on the day, I may stretch out in the corner of the couch, or sit at my desk in my office. If I’m working on a blog post or one of my children’s books, I’ll look over the outline and the material I wrote from the last time I worked on it. Lastly, because I get distracted so easily by social media or notifications on my phone, I have to put my phone on “do not disturb” so I can focus.
photos courtesy of Vettania Clark
Facebook, Vettania Clark’s Instagram, The Purple Bookmark Instagram,
“My writing will inspire young children to fall in love with reading and explore the world around them.”
What authors inspired your author journey?
My father was an unpublished author and illustrator. His work inspired me to become a published author because he did not. I want to bring his dream to life and honor his legacy.
How does your writing resonate with Black culture?
My writing resonates with Black culture because I create a positive image of black family life.
How do you get into your creative writing zone?
I get into my creative writing zone when I am inspired. Sometimes I’m inspired by a picture my cousin Ayanna Clark creates. She also illustrates my stories. I also get inspired in the wee hours of the morning. When I get inspired in the early mornings, I usually write a poem. I have to wake up to write it before the thought leaves my mind. My next book is a poem about embracing your blackness/ heritage for children, which will be released for Christmas. I wrote that during one of those early morning inspirations.
What authors inspired your author journey?
I am inspired by many authors. One in particular will always be Maya Angelou because she had this one quote that really resonated with me. It was “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” It really made me want to let my story roar!
How does your writing resonate with Black culture?
For me I believe my story resonates with black culture because in the black community back in the days where I grew up, there was not a lot of HEALING that took place. There was a lot of covering, hiding and still trying to uphold the “strong“all well put together persona. I feel like sharing my story of growing up in poverty, not just in material things, but lack of nurture and care will grab the attention of the culture in which we are now currently trying to shake up. By changing social and family norms around therapy and healing, it’s a start to shifting cultural norms!
How do you get into your creative writing zone?
For me I listen to a lot of jazz! No words needed, just a space to think and hear my thoughts become clear as I write them onto paper.
All authors are unique in how they share their creative expression. Whether in a children’s book or novel, they all empower readers to take a journey. For this National Author’s Day and beyond, celebrate the author creatives who bravely bare their soul and imagination onto the pages of published books. Show your support for these amazing authors by following them on social media or even purchasing one of their books. Fall into a great book this season.
Writer C. Scott is a mom, authorpreneur and social worker. Follow her writing as @curls_coils.
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