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3/3/2019

What Kind of Writer Do You Want to Be? #barrioblues

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What kind of writer do you want to be?  And by that I don't mean the writing you do or how you write.  I mean what kind of human being do you want to be?  I have been shaping the answer to this question, even though I wasn't fully aware of it.  I want to be a supportive writer that builds a writing family. 

In practice, I am already this person or try very hard to be, but I read this great book for Authors Publishing (which is free when you subscribe), How to Promote Your Book by Caitlin Jans, and in it she writes about how she builds community.  I was deeply inspired by how she makes herself available to people on her author Facebook page.  Then I thought, What else can I do to be supportive of other writers, especially young writers and writers of color and working class writers?  Recently, I have been reviewing other Facebook Author pages, but there is no reason I can't promote their books or throw in a review every now and then.  

I also revived the Harold Washington Creative Students and Friends Creative Writing Group.  The name sucks, but I want to make that group useful and supportive of the members.  My current students can't be in it, but past students can.  Besides, I wish I had had that kind of support after I finished my CW classes.  Nobody should write in isolation or a vacuum, unless that is what they prefer.

Writing should be a communal act. That's what I hope to make it every day. 

Oh, and on the real time front, I got my first poetry rejection!  I am so excited to be submitting my work on a weekly basis, even if it comes with rejections like these, and this one was pretty kind:


Dear Maria,

Thank you for sharing your work with us. While we enjoyed reviewing your poem, unfortunately, it is not a right fit for us at this time. We sincerely wish you the very best in placing your work elsewhere. Happy writing!

Warmly,
Team Sonic Boom


That's all I have for now.  I hope you are having a great Sunday and that you get a lot of great writing done!

Be your awesome writer selves, to the max! #barrioblues    

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    Dr. Jesú Estrada,
    Pen Name: 
    María J. Estrada
    Chicago, IL

    You can also follow me on Twitter @drmariajestrada. I give away a book to celebrate every 1,000 followers.

    Subscribe to my YouTube channel, Radical Books and Politics, where I gift original work to my subscribers, every 50 to 100 subscribers. 

    *********************
    MARIA J. ESTRADA is an English college professor of Composition, Literature, and her favorite, Creative Writing. She grew up in the desert outside of Yuma, Arizona in the real Barrio de Los Locos, a barrio comprised of new Mexican immigrants and first-generation Chicanos. Drawing from this setting and experiences, she writes like a loca every minute she can—all while magically balancing her work and family obligations. She lives in Chicago’s south side with her wonderfully supportive husband, two remarkable children, and two mischievous cats.

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  • Home
  • Mi Biografía
  • Books
  • Un Blog de Writing Musings
  • Author Interviews
    • Eric Allen Yankee
    • Mehreen Ahmed
    • Steve Carr
    • Martin Eastland
    • P.S. Malcolm
    • P.C. Darkcliff
  • Announcements
  • The Harvested Draft
  • Poetry
  • Barrio Blues Press
  • Useful Bits
  • Contact