5/27 EVENT Word Canvas: Garden of Poetics

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Monday, May 27, 2013, 7-9pm FREE
Word Canvas: Garden of Poetics
@ Bluestockings Bookstore
Hosted by Robert Gibbons

Featuring

Monica Hand
DuEwa Frazier
Metta Sama

Join us in celebration of the word with three intriguing women poets reading and discussing their new and selected work.  Discussion hosted by poet, Robert Gibbons.

About the Poets

Monica Hand, author of me and Nina, (Alice James Books, 2012). Her poems have appeared in numerous publications including Aunt Chloe, Black Renaissance Noire, Naugatuck River Review, The Sow’s Ear, Drunken Boat, Beyond the Frontier, African-American Poetry for the 21^st Century, Gathering Ground: A Reader Celebrating Cave Canem’s First Decade and American Creative Writers on Class. She has a MFA in Poetry and Poetry in Translation from Drew University. A Cave Canem alum, she is also a founding member of Poets for Ayiti. Currently, she is a PhD candidate – Creative Writing – Poetry at the University of Missouri- Columbia. 

Metta Sáma is a poet, professor, activist, painter, collage artist, fiction and essay writer. She is the author of South of Here (New Issues Press, published under the name Lydia Melvin), a collection of poems, and Nocturne Trio (YesYes Books, 2012), with visual artist Mihret Dawit.  Her work has appeared several journals. She received her MFA in creative writing from Western Michigan University and her PhD in English with an emphasis in creative writing at SUNY – Binghamton. 

DuEwa Frazier is a poet, author and educator.  She is the author of Goddess Under the Bridge: Poems (Lit Noire Publishing, 2013) and the forthcoming young adult novel, Deanne in the Middle.  Her work has appeared in Tidal Basin Review, Reverie, Kweli Journal, Poetry In Performance, X Magazine and others.  She earned the MFA in Creative Writing degree at The New School.  DuEwa is a candidate for the Ed.M. degree in Educational Leadership at Columbia University.  

 

Bluestockings Bookstore
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www.bluestockings.com

4/7 RADIO INTERVIEW: Gregory Reed Esq., Author of Obama Talks Back: GLOBAL LESSONS

 

(L) Tony Rose, Publisher Amber Books with (R) Author, Gregory J. Reed, Esq.

RHYMES, VIEWS & NEWS TALK RADIO is all NEW on Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 5pm EST, featuring NAACP IMAGE AWARD WINNING AUTHOR, Mr. Gregory J. Reed, Esq.

Mr. Reed will discuss his award winning book, OBAMA TALKS BACK: GLOBAL LESSONS - A DIALOGUE WITH AMERICA'S YOUNG LEADERS WORK (Amber Books).  Listen LIVE at 5pm EST on April 7th and call in at  646-716-9474 to speak with Mr. Reed about his new book!

Visit www.blogtalkradio.com/duewafrazier 

for more information.

 

Art + balance: Creativity and the graduate student

I've been in graduate school, since 2004.  Yes.  I'm on my fourth degree.  Some might say that I'm "over-educated."  I don't care.  People have asked me, "When do you find time to write?"  How about when do I find time to LIVE!?  Well I happen to believe that each degree program I've pursued, has been very useful for my work and career.  And of course my MFA degree was in writing, which I am still finding to be worthwhile as I work to strengthen my craft.  I love learning.  I'm proud to be from a family of educators who instilled a love of education in me.  The arts became a passion of mine early on, and so writing + education has been at the center of my life work.

But there is a drawback I've found to being an artist + graduate student.  The time and mental energy it takes to focus on classwork for graduate school, over time, can take away, from creative pursuits.  And that is if you do not structure your time, learn to say "No" to unnecessary activities or commit to what you say you really want for your art.  I've also found that over the years my eyes have become strained through repeated close reading and constant computer usage.  It could also be that with age, comes weaker eyes.  If you're an artist in an arts program that informs your work, it may be easier because you are constantly surrounded by people who are immersed in their art as well.  And perhaps they are giving you critique and helping you grow. 

So, how do you balance creativity with work + school?  Writers I know who are enrolled in MFA programs, find that their writing falls in line with their graduate studies.  But what if your grad program is not really aligned with your art?  One could refer to The Artist's Way by Julie Cameron, a daily, self help practice workbook for artists who need a an inspirational boost.  Cameron encourages artists of all genres to commit to solitude and writing "morning pages" in order to bring ones self back to creative balance.  I used the book years ago, during a summer when my mind wandered more than my pen did onto the page.  I also repeatedly read Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain to inspire my creative vision as a writer. 

Listening to music while working or resting is a great way to inspire the artist within, especially if you have neglected your art for awhile.  I love the relaxing Cafe del Mar chillout and Buddha Bar hour-long playlists.  As a full-time educator and graduate student, I find that it's important to build in those joyous breaks between working and studying.  Academic life can be very non-creative and can feel like, "when will this be over" but it's necessary for certain career progress.  I have to build in time to write.  Early mornings.  Late evenings.  Sometimes only once per week.  I jot down ideas on my iPhone until I get to my computer or notebook.  When I sit down to really write and revise, I do it for three or more hours.  Water, herbal tea and a snack is close by.  And in this space I try not to think about the paper I have due in a few weeks or some other to do list.  Because I know that I will get it done and it will be thorough.

Self care for artists, whether you work full time in addition to graduate studies, or not.  How you take care of your mind and body is important.  Sleep is not overrated.  Our fast paced culture promotes the idea of "grind now, sleep later."  But you won't have a grind now or later if you don't sleep.  Lack of sleep can cause digestive problems, anxiety, depression and an overall bad mood.

Your mind, body and spirit need rest and intervals of quiet to rejuvenate and sustain.  That's the truth.  Studies have shown that lack of sleep can affect your heart, your mental stamina, and can accelerate aging.  Sleep, proper nutrition, hydration, even being around positive vs. negative energy all has an affect on your creative output, your mental outlook and overall productivity.  The next time you think you have some type of block, like writers block - ask if you are getting enough self care in the above areas.

There's light at the end of the tunnel.  Sometimes I feel my pursuit of "book knowledge" in higher education will never end, yet it is necessary for certain goals I may have.  There is always a gnawing inside of me, a reminder and a whisper telling me to "don't forget to write..." no matter how tired I am.  Eye strain.  Bad attitude.  Phone calls.  Assignment deadlines.  Hunger.  Need to be social.  Nothing should keep you from your art.  Otherwise, you'll search for something outside of yourself, to feed your soul. 

How do you fit your creative practice into your busy work + school schedule?

3/17 RADIO INTERVIEW: Truth Thomas Author of Speak Water

RHYMES, VIEWS & NEWS TALK RADIO with host DuEwa Frazier is *ALL NEW* on Sunday, March 17th @ 5pm EST featuring poet, singer, songwriter and author of the NAACP Image Award winning book SPEAK WATER - TRUTH THOMAS!

Listen LIVE or call-in to hear Truth Thomas speak about his award winning new book!  Call in to speak with the host and guest at (646) 716-9474. 

Tips for Teaching the Novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, is my favorite book.  Why?  Hurston's mastery of poetic language, vernacular, metaphor and "telling a story, within a story" makes Their Eyes a delectable read.  I am teaching the novel to one of my English classes.  I have heard from several friends and relatives that Their Eyes was a difficult read for them because of the vernacular throughout the story.  The dialect, they cited, makes is hard to "get into" the story.  If you are not familiar with reading or teaching different dialects in literature, read on.

I have tips for educators interested in teaching Their Eyes Were Watching God so that it can be enjoyable for students to read again and again.  You cannot teach this novel without helping students understand the author's background and what inspired her to write.  Here are my suggestions.

1.  Share the cultural background of the author.  Zora Neale Hurston was an African American woman novelist, playwright and anthropologist. Students should read and study the author's background, including her childhood, cultural and artistic influences and background as an African American who sought to explore the lives of Blacks in the south. What makes Zora Neale Hurston so fascinating is that she lived her life, to create art and make herself happy, not to fit into society's mode of what a woman or African American woman should be.

2.  Include multi-media.  Students have varying learning styles.  Straight lecturing and discussion from reading does not engage students - whether they are in high school or college.  Show videos and images connect to Zora Neale Hurston's life, the lives of the artists and scholars she surrouned herself with and the people of Eatonville, FL - the setting for Their Eyes Were Watching God.

3.  Analytical writing tasks.  As students read chapters of the book, give them areas to focus on and analyze:  Hyperbole and characterization, Janie's identity and relationships, Mule talk and Signifyin' in the novel and feminism. You can also have students rewrite chapters from the perspective of a different character, instead of Janie.  How does the novel change then?  The Common Core State Standards call for students to study information text and write in a variety of genres.  The articles you find on Hurston's life and the town of Eatonville, FL can provide students with the opportunity to fully characterize the author and analyze her intent for Their Eyes Were Watching God.

4.  Critical thinking.  Have students create and pose their own questions for each other about the novel.  Have them debate amongst themselves about the choices Zora Neale Hurston made as an author.  Questions which can serve as the foundation for a debate include: Why did the author choose to make Janie a mulatto person? Why do you think Hurston did not allow Janie's mother to make an appearance and have a greater presence in the novel?  Students can give their perspective as to whether the questions point to a significant enough factor in the final outcome for Janie, the protagonist.

5.  Lastly, secondary students love to craft projects.  Have them create their own multi-media presentation, using video, audio, text and images to report on characterization and various literary elements in the novel.  Require the students to reveal the "Big Learning" they received from reading Their Eyes Were Watching God, and how what they learned from the novel may impact how they study future novels. 

To learn more about how to teach the novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, including suggested resources, Contact English Educator, DuEwa Frazier, M.Ed., M.F.A. at duewa (dot) frazier (at) gmail (dot) com.  DuEwa will be a featured workshop facilitator at the 2012 Mosaic Literary Conference at Hostos Community College on Saturday, November 10th at 2pm. 

11/4 RADIO INTERVIEW: R. Kayeen Thomas, Author of ANTEBELLUM

 

Rhymes, Views & News Radio hosted by DuEwa Frazier is all new on Sunday, November 4, 2012 @ 5pm EST!  Featuring author R. Kayeen Thomas.  R. Kayeen will discuss his latest book ANTEBELLUM (July 2012, Atria/Strebor Books).  

Listen to the interview via Blog Talk Radio or call in to join the discussion at (646) 716-9474!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

R. KayeenThomas is one of Washington, D.C’s hottest writers.  Having lived in the nation’s capital since the age of 3, he self-published his first book, Light: Stories of Urban Resurrection, during his junior year at Carleton College in Northfield, MN.  Upon returning home to D.C to market his first work, Thomas sold 1,000 copies of his book in the Washington Metropolitan area before returning back to finish his undergraduate studies.  Now, at age 27, he is an author, poet, playwright, hip-hop artist, journalist, and social justice advocate.  He resides in Southeast D.C. with his wife and daughter.

9/30 RADIO INTERVIEW: Tony Medina, Author of The President Looks Like Me

The President Looks Like Me is a new book a poems forthcoming by poet, children's author and Howard University professor, Dr. Tony Medina.  The President Looks Like Me will be published by Just Us Books.  

Tony Medina featured on RHYMES, VIEWS & NEWS TALK RADIO hosted by DuEwa Frazier on Sunday, September 30th @ 5pm EST!  Listen to the interview now!