I was a voracious reader and dreamer as a young woman. But I realize that I really did not think of myself as writer. Books were important in my house. But to become a writer in my household, well that was for other people. I was a thinker, well supported in my quest for knowledge and a frustrated creative who could not express myself to my satisfaction. Not until I began to get paid for freelance articles 30 years ago did I begin to think of writing as a profession. I took it for granted that I could write and tell a story; but I (eye) did not see myself as a writer before age 25 and I’d moved back East. Moreover I did not begin to develop my own voice until I started blogging 6 years ago. Suddenly the story became MY story. In the past, I’d always told someone else’s story either because I was the only one in my work environment whose first language was English; in family and community, I was the best writer; “their “story was more interesting than mine; or my story was too personal to share.
Times have changed and oh my goodness, am I happy about this shift. Recently someone asked what I did for a living and I responded, “I am a publisher.”
Writers Write asks What am I working on?
I wish I could say that I am midway into writing a seminal work but that would not be completely honest. The best I can say is an outline exists for a book, my book. I continue to work on multiple small writing projects for hire in response to having become a professional blogger who blogs to supplement my living. And I love it. My most immediate dream is to secure a syndicated column that allows me to narrow my focus and provides more time to represent and empower other aging women of color writers.
Writers Write asks How does my work/writing differ from others in its genre?
As an adventuress, I love writing that takes me somewhere physically and mentally. Put another way, I love to travel AND be transported by a storyline where I am changed. And so the writings of V.S. Naipaul and Somerset Maugham, and Amin Maloouf are authors that allowed me to leave the building in this way. I do realize no women are included in that list. I am probably most well formed in my travel writing where I can disappear into the experience. That’s funny because there is very little travel writing on my own site. It’s all freelance. So this process of answering these questions is illuminating even as I write this post. I wonder what this is telling me.
Writers Write asks Why do I write what I do?
I write about longevity and things that matter in life by focusing on food and health (obvious reason), technology (my love for trends and future studies) and travel (because it has been a primary educator). And because history matters to me, I write not just because I feel compelled to speak on my life; but also because the point of view of modern black women needs to be integrated into social media as a primary thought and not an after-thought..
As humans, we all live, love and hopefully grow and thrive. In community, where it is possible to accelerate ones’ growth by experiencing openness, I see that I can play a role in advocating for more inclusive voices . I am not afraid of people who are not like me. And so it is important as a history lover that I write to contribute my perspective. In a nutshell, this is why I blog and by blogging, I am honing my skills and developing a larger platform of readers. Eventually I will write for no reason other than to tell a good story.
Writers Write asks How does my writing process work
In my best writing I am a little emotional. I aspire to more disciple and to adhere to an editorial calendar. But as a one woman operation, this effort remains a work in progress. When a topic affects me strongly, I speak into my cell phone recorder before my mind has a chance to massage the raw emotion. I reserve early mornings to sort the night sleep and to commune with my night-self. Either this happens over a cup of coffee, in the quiet of my garden where the essence of the natural world is in evidence; or in conversation with a sacred friend. I write normally in one sitting and without an outline unless specifically directed otherwise as in this instance. I try to let it sit at least 24 hours before editing and publishing. There is room for much improvement.
Thanks to the spectacular Ruth Curran of for Cranium Crunches for passing the torch to me in this Writers Write Blog hop! I hope you find a new mind that you love as much as I do among my black boomer blogger friends, Martina P. Callum, M.D. and Hakikah Shamsiden ! Look for their posts next Monday, June 9 on their blogs. I am thrilled that both agreed on short notice to take this leap and share with you. I am equally thrilled for you to know who they are if by chance you do not already.
Martina P. Callum, M.D., founder and CEO of Calmar Health Services, Inc., a company dedicated to aiding people in their quest to maintain, enhance and if necessary rebuild their health by providing the most up to date information on health, nutritional supplements and nutraceticals. A graduate of the The George Washington University School of Medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy from Howard University College of Pharmacy prior to entering medical school. Internship at Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore with completion of her post graduate education in Family Practice at the University of Nevada School of Medicine at Las Vegas. Dr. Callum has spent her career providing direct hands on care to patients of all ages. Her various practice environments include Private Practice with Obstetrics; emergency room, Urgent care centers; care of Native Americans, Veterans, and Eskimos across the country. In addition to direct patient care Dr. Callum has been a freelance medical writer. To aid in opening up and expanding the dialogue on carbohydrates in our diet she has published Dr. Callum’s Low Carb Recipes available at Amazon. com As an actively practicing physician she brings her clinical expertise to the Calmar Health Services Inc. Having traveled the country to deliver quality patient care with unstinting compassion, Dr. Callum continues to advocate for all patients and their access to the best medical practices in the field of modern medicine.
Hakikah Shamsiden is a Healer, Life Coach and Teacher focusing on The Art of Womanhood; Entwining Space, Sensuality and the Spirituality of Menopause. She offers Retreats and online webinars to help women clear the clutter from their physical lives and minds. She desires to transform the experience of menopause from one of dread to one of empowerment and pleasure. With a wealth of life experience, Hakikah joins the Writers Write blog hop.
Sylvia Lewis says
Theses are some deep questions to answer. Your answers are all beautiful stories that deserve more telling. I can identify with your ‘writing process.’ Please keep lifting your voice and blessing us. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Deborah Davis says
Hi Patricia,
It is always interesting and eye-opening to get a deeper look inside a writer’s mind. I thoroughly enjoyed your musings. I have been reading your posts for a while now and this one helps me to appreciate you and your writing journey even more. Thanks for inviting us into your world.
Teresa Speight says
This was truly an awesome read. I love getting to know more about my not so local Sister Family members. I too read a lot as a child….and still do. One day I hope I will be able to get all the things in my head on blog or e book. In the meanyime, thank you for sharing YOU!
Patricia A Patton says
Happy you took the time to read Teresa. Thank you.
Frances says
Patricia,
I loved reading this post. It is another step in getting to know you.
Thanks for posting.
Frances
Patricia A Patton says
Thanks Fran. Eventually we will meet IRL.