AA/Multicultural Authors Underrepresented in Industry Awards

LaShaunda Hoffman, in her always delightful blog, raises the issues of why African-American authors in particular, but multicultural authors in general, are underrepresented in the award winners for the Romance Writers of America, the premiere organization for romance writers.

I'm copying my thoughts here but providing a link back to LaShaunda's blog, where I hope there will be a lively dialogue on the topic: http://lashaunda.blogspot.com

My response:

Okay. Once again I have learned something about the writing world from you, LaShaunda. It never occurred to me that we were underrepresented in the RWA awards, although it probably should have. I've looked at enough RWA chapter sites and seen few, if any, pictures or even names of AA authors, at least ones that I'm familiar with (and I read pretty extensively, both in breadth and quantity).

So I had to go to RWA's site and do a little research. Yup. Just as I suspected, not one AA author on any of the comprehensive listings of past winners nor this year's current nominees, with one exception. Shirley Hailstock will receive the 2006 Emma Merritt Award for outstanding service to the RWA organization this year, likely for her work as president. (Congratulations Shirley!)

So usually when underrepresentation is the case, we, the affected group, do one of two things: create our own or get involved (increase membership and move into positions of influence/leadership in order to make change). I think the Romance Slam Jam awards serve the first purpose. I do agree, however, that RWA should create a separate Multicultural award. Yet, this is more complex than it sounds because multicultural authors will get shafted by having to compete for a single award when their works span the same subgenres that are already recognized by multiple awards. (The same thing is true of inspirational/Christian fiction.)

What about the second purpose, getting involved? Maybe someone can comment on whether there is an increasing number of AA authors getting involved in their local chapters, and more importantly, for the purposes of influence, at the national level. Michelle Monkou is now involved nationally, I believe. Maybe she has some insight.

I've said all that to say RWA is pretty much like many other organizations in America. As an aspiring romance author, I guess it will matter more to me when I'm actually published. A little disappointing (who doesn't like to get awards?) but it doesn't affect my desire or motivation to write and become published, nor even whether I will become an RWA member (which I intend to do this year). I'd love to hear some AA authors, who are also RWA members, weigh in.

Does this matter to you? If so, what do you intend to do about it? Joining RWA, writing the best book I can, and submitting it for consideration is my personal plan of attack. My sister, who is also an aspiring romance author, has already joined her local RWA chapter and is planning to submit her work in progress for several local RWA chapter contests. We always were the "get involved" types!

One last comment. I don't buy into the "I-don't-submit-my-work-because-they-probably-wouldn't-pick-me", otherwise known as the "Woe is Me", pity party. Like the unemployed person who sits at home bemoaning the fact that they don't have a job. If it is important to you (and each person must decide), then get off your rump and do what is necessary to put yourself in consideration. Trust God to do the rest!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

In Shape to Write

Okay, so most folks make their resolutions to lose weight, get in shape, etc. in January. I've been known to follow the beat of my own drummer before so why not now? I recently joined one of those "30-min workout for women only" facilities. After a week and a half, so far, so good. I like the way working out makes me feel, as though I'm stronger and healthier already, even with me gobbling up the Easter candy at an alarming rate. If I can get my eating on track, I think I have a real chance to move toward my eternal dream of losing several dress sizes, and in general to a healthier me.

So as I thought about exercising my physical muscles, I started thinking about exercising my writing muscles. Published writers always tell you that the number one thing you must do if you are a writer is Write! Makes perfect sense but like most things, this is easier said than done.

I made this commitment to myself once before with great success. Lost about 40 lbs., got toned, and kept it off for about five years. Then marriage, childbirth, and parenting kicked it, robbing me of my time, funds, energy...you name it. It took me years, the right opportunity, right location, a little leeway in the paycheck, and the right mindset to stop making excuses and get myself over to a gym. All the while, it was painfully obvious that my muscles were atrophying and that it was harder to do simple things like climb stairs, run around with my three boys, or even pick up my baby (although he's the size of a kid twice his age so not completely my fault).

Anyway, if I'm not writing on a regular basis, which I haven't been, then how do I ever expect to finish that novel and become that sensational, best-selling author? And I don't mean finishing in the sense of persistance to the end but rather in the sense of having confidence in my writing chops, knowing that when my middle starts to sag, that I'm equipped to pick it up and forge ahead to the ending.

So as I work to get my body in shape, I'm also recommitting myself to get my writing in shape. This blog is one way, albeit the format is very stream of consciousness. I recently started writing short stories and even sent one off to a magazine this week, which I think I'll continue to do while working on my novel. Best way to strengthen my chops is by moving my pen across paper, whether I feel like it or not, whether I'm happy or sad, whether I'm tired or bursting with energy. After a while, I suspect, it will be a lot like going to the gym. It will simply become a natural part of my day.

Today's question: What do you do to keep your writing muscles in shape?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Balancing Act

I wasn't planning on posting today but I spent a little---okay, a LOT---of time surfing today -- going to other folks' blogs (and posting), checking out favorite web sites, reading email, etc. Then it hit me -- while I'm doing all of this, I certainly not moving my writing project forward. Not one paragraph, sentence, or word. Not a good thing.

My desire is to be a sponge and soak up wisdom/gems/tidbits everywhere I can find them. I've learned a lot online and have made the acquaintance of some really good folks. I also desire to be an active member of the online writing community (helps me to feel as though I have support, as though I'm part of something big, and like folks might know who I am when a book with my name on the cover actually comes out.

Yet I certainly don't want to become a professional AAO (aspiring author online). Not much glamour, money, or satisfaction there.

So my question today is how do you balance your time between writing and communing with others? Is it a percentage of your daily time or when you feel your muse, you focus more on writing or some other method?

Things to consider...

Peace & Blessings (and signing off for now),
Patricia

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

I've heard of waterlogged but is possible to be word-logged? I am "read" out! I've done so much reading in the last month that when I finished the most recent book, I was happy to close the cover and had no desire to pick up another. That's a first for me!

I plan to do some book reviews along the way but in the meantime, I'll tell you some really good ones that I've read in the last couple of weeks (some old and some new):

Upstate by Kalista Buckhanon
Truth Be Told by Victoria Christopher Murray
Grown Folks' Business by Victoria Christopher Murray
Flippin' the Script by Aisha Ford
A Heart of Devotion by Tia McCollors
Enchanted Heart by Felicia Mason

There were others but these were the best. I've also started Lift Up Your Hands by Gloria Pruett. And, I'm a judge for the RWA 2006 Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest. I just received 4 books to read and rate so after a short breather, I'll work my way through those. I'll sure I'll have more to say about that experience soon. (I'm not sure whether I should say what books I've been asked to judge. Probably not so I won't, at least not in a way that you can tell, and I won't give away my ratings.)

What are you reading these days? Have you submitted to any contests lately?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.