Of Writerly Things...

I'm really getting into this WRITER role I've decided to finally accept. And when I say writer I mean someone who lives, breathes, shits, EVERYTHING the written word, because I had to slap the realization into myself that the only way to get better and hold onto my MASTER OF FINE ARTS title is to do writerly things.

Like joining the ACENTOS Writing Workshop at Hostos Community College in the Bronx on Sundays. And even though they are dealing primarily with poetry, a genre with which I've never been comfortable, I'm challenging myself to follow through on all the assignments. No matter how difficult they may seem. Or how crappy the poems I end up writing are.

Or the free screenwriting class I attended held by the Gotham Writer's Workshop in Lower Manhattan. Listen, I have a script and it's HAWT but it needs work. Lots of work. This class helped light a fire.

Or participating in the upcoming blogging event, Blog Cafe 1.0, a networking event on October 2nd for bloggers that is my attempt on spreading the word on MY words instead of hiding them:

Who: Bloggers and Site owners
What: Networking event for bloggers/site owners and their readers.
Where: Katwalk NY* | 2 west 35th street, corner of 5th Avenue
When: Friday, October 2, 2009 6pm-9pm
Why: Because sometimes we can all use a little break from our Macs and PCs to network and mingle in person.

The FIRST 50 guests to show up with their Business Cards will receive a gift bag, courtesy of the participating Bloggers and site owners.

Or the fiction writing group I co-founded in Park Slope that meets twice a month at a fellow writer's home, and where we help improve each others writing projects. Our goal? To produce the best possible manuscripts we can with the support of like-minded creative types.

Or the upcoming get-together with The FDU Writers on Saturday in New Jersey; my beautiful classmates and fellow MASTERS OF FINE ARTS. We try and meet once a month to chat, inspire one another and catch up on the wonderful world of literary fiction.

Or my fall project, The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron. I've had this book on my shelf for years, and it wasn't until a fellow writer and blogger Demetria Irwin of Love Is Dope, wrote about completing the 12-week workshop that I was motivated to finally dust off this gem and try it for real.

Or the writer's group I joined in BedStuy, Write in BK, which meets the first Wednesday of the month at Brownstone Books. I've only been to one meeting so far but I really enjoyed the cool vibe from my fellow Brooklyn Literati and plan on being there every month from now on!

Or the near completion of my MFA Thesis (for the 100th time)... slow and steady wins the race, people. And you can ask Irene- these stories need WORK, as does the essay, so it's been overwhelming to get and stay motivated enough to just DO IT.

Or the book I'm asking you all to read for an upcoming discussion on Monday Musings- Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction by David Sheff. One of The FDU Writers had recommended it a while ago, and Mari read it this summer. Both ladies sang its praises, and since I'm such a NERD about addictions these days I'm choosing it. You have until October 18th to finish!

Or most importantly, by the way I defended my writing talent/ability to someone who had the audacity to try and take the wind out my sails about my words. The old Raquel would have sat around for HOURS reading everything she'd ever written doubting herself something awful. The new Raquel wrote this person off as a hatin' negative nelly and kept it moving.

*does a double-tuck somersault ending in a dutty wine split*

I'm a writer, y'all. I'm a freakin' WRITER!

*smooches...hoping you enjoyed these words I wrote for you today*
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and if anyone is interested in ANY of the activities I mentioned above, let me know and I'll send you the info ASAP, from one writer to another. After all, we have to stick together!!