This blog, originally published on Tumblr, highlights Nancey’s thoughts and experiences with writing her first novel intended for publication. Follow her on her journey as she discusses the emotional highs and tumultuous lows as she strives to be a young Black author in the Digital Age.
A Tale of Two Cities
I often romanticize things I feel I have a deep connection with. That’s not to say that I’m a hopeless romantic or live in a state of complete blissful ignorance. I’ve in the very least acknowledged that others’ experiences with said “things” may very well be different from mine, and those experiences are just asContinue reading “A Tale of Two Cities”
To FREEDOM!!
Tumblr Post #23 (January 2019) Who would have thought that the medium on which one writes would be just as important as what is being written? That’s the question I had to ask myself upon receiving a birthday gift that would transform my entire writing experience. For starters, I hadn’t written anything in months. WasContinue reading “To FREEDOM!!”
A Dream Achieved?
Tumblr Post #22 (August 2018) I am a journal connoisseur. I’m currently maintaining three separate journals—all for different purposes in my life. There is a journal in which I chronicle various life events and internal monologues: a third volume to a continuous story of my life. The OG journal, if you will. There is anContinue reading “A Dream Achieved?”
Staying in My Lane & Minding My Business
Tumblr Post #21 (April 2018) I don’t think there’s anything wrong with staying in your own little world. Nor do I believe that living under a rock is necessarily a bad thing if that’s your form of self-care. What do I do under my rock? Snuggle under a blanket on my couch with a bottleContinue reading “Staying in My Lane & Minding My Business”
I’ve Done This Before. I Shall Do It Again.
Tumblr Post #20 (February 2018) It took me 8 years to complete my first novel. I started at the tender age of 6—a first grader who spent more time in her head than interacting with the outside world. I had 5 imaginary friends: Mary Kate, Ashley, Esmerelda, and two others whose names I can’t remember for theContinue reading “I’ve Done This Before. I Shall Do It Again.”
This Isn’t Love Jones.
Tumblr Post #19 (December 2017) Tomi Adeyemi says that if you want to write a New York Times Bestseller, you should examine what is selling. You should study the books that are on these bestsellers list and you should read the books that are winning National Book Awards. Study your genre. See how the GiantsContinue reading “This Isn’t Love Jones.”
Write in Spite
Tumblr Post #18 (November 2017) I’ve been feeling uninspired to write lately— uninspired to work on this novel that has taken up vital real estate in my mind for over two years now. I thought about blaming this one on writer’s block. But if I’m being completely honest with myself, that’s nonsense. I’ve had chapterContinue reading “Write in Spite”
The Glow-Up Revisited
Tumblr Post #17 (October 2017) Last June, I conducted a little experiment with manifestations. Attempting to buck my skepticism with speaking [or writing] things into existence, I pulled out my trusted journal and wrote down everything I hoped to accomplish with this book. I also wrote about this experience in a blog post titled, “ManifestingContinue reading “The Glow-Up Revisited”
A Thought on [Un]Certainty
Tumblr Post #16 (July 2017) It’s been a month since I’ve finished Chapter 10. A busy month. I’ve had a lot going on and because of that, I haven’t done much writing for this book. Researching, yes. Daydreaming, yes. Eyeing this year’s PitchWars news, absolutely! But not writing. Meanwhile, I’ve gotten food poisoning, received unsettlingContinue reading “A Thought on [Un]Certainty”
Hathor Taught Me
Tumblr Post #15 (June 2017) I don’t know how many more rough patches I’ll have to endure as I write this novel. And if there are more, hopefully they won’t be as bad as the last one. That was a low point for me and, for the first time, I actually considered giving up on the projectContinue reading “Hathor Taught Me”
Nobody Asked for This
Tumblr Post #14 (April 2017) So I’ve been in a weird place for the past few weeks regarding my relationship with this novel. If I had to describe this place, it’d have to be somewhere between questioning my abilities and credentials as a writer and questioning why this story is even being written in theContinue reading “Nobody Asked for This”
No Cheetos Allowed
Tumblr Post #13 (February 2017) I’m not petty. Though to be honest, recent events have definitely made me consider switching over to dark side—to give in to the power of the forces that be and let the pettiness overtake my body in a fiery, triumphant glow. I’d walk around like Peter Parker in Spider ManContinue reading “No Cheetos Allowed”
Ain’t Nobody Coming to See You, Otis!
Tumblr Post #12 (January 2017) A while back, I had a conversation with a dear friend of mine regarding the main character of this novel. In the midst of discussing her in relation to the twists and turns of various plot points, other characters and back stories, I began to question who this book is really about.Continue reading “Ain’t Nobody Coming to See You, Otis!”
Back to Basics
Tumblr Post #11 (January 2017) I’ve written two or three versions of the same blogpost over the past few months, but have been hesitant to post it. Well…I’m not sure if I would say hesitant because that would imply that it was finished and that I was satisfied with what I was trying to say.Continue reading “Back to Basics”
I’m Hearing Voices
Tumblr Post #10 (October 2016) And not one of them is my own. But that of Sage…and Jerry… and Columbia… and June… and David. Everybody is talking at once and it is hard for me to hear what each person is saying. It’s hard for me to write down their words and it’s hard for me to quiet oneContinue reading “I’m Hearing Voices”
Light a Candle for the Fictional Ancestors
Tumblr Post #9 (August 2016) There is power in lighting candles. Healing power. Calming power. Spiritual power. It is the effects of these powers that are the reasons why I keep lit candles near to me almost daily. There is a single candle on my altar at home, for example, and one of its manyContinue reading “Light a Candle for the Fictional Ancestors”
The Babysitter
Tumblr Post #8 (July 2016) Imagine a brand new mother who has spent nine months gestating a child in her womb and even longer raising this child outside of it. She nurtures it, tells it where to go and what not to do, and spends intimate quality time with it day in and day out.Continue reading “The Babysitter”
Manifesting the Glow-Up
Tumblr post #7 (June 2016) They say that there is power in both the tongue and the pen. Speak it until it comes into existence. Write it down so that it becomes a personal contract for you to oblige. In doing so, you have power over it and are no longer leaving it up toContinue reading “Manifesting the Glow-Up”
Worth the Investment
Tumblr Post #6 (June 2016) Perhaps it’s a testament to my character that I try my best not to hurt anyone’s feelings or intentionally make someone upset to the point of tears. Why? Because that makes me feel like a pretty crappy human being. And I don’t know about you, but I have my ownContinue reading “Worth the Investment”
In the Tradition of Men in My Blood
Tumblr Post #5 (May 2016) Yes, it’s a Lemonade reference. Sue me. But I found it quite a fitting and finally witty title for today’s post. But this entry has more to do with the men in my life and less with the traditions, good or bad, that they uphold. As with the rest ofContinue reading “In the Tradition of Men in My Blood”
Finally Getting Somewhere
Tumblr Post #4 (April 2016) Finally Getting Somewhere It happened. I finally got to the scene in which I’ve been daydreaming about for months. The scene that sets the entire plot of the story into motion. The scene that separates the set-up from the movement; the static from the dynamic; the mundane from theContinue reading “Finally Getting Somewhere”
Girl, you MUST do better.
Tumblr Post #3 (March 2016) I’ve been slacking. Hard. And I have no one to blame but myself…and my doubts. Remember those? The ones that I’ve been cohabitating with? Well it appears that for the past month, I have allowed those doubts to be the primary breadwinner in our little household. While my doubts were outContinue reading “Girl, you MUST do better.”
Research like a scientist…even for a fiction.
Tumblr Post #2 (January 2016) I’ve been listening to a lot of author interviews lately and one theme that has been persistently present is the topic of research. Authors would say something along the lines of “when I was doing my research for this book,” or “in my research, I found this or that.” Research.Continue reading “Research like a scientist…even for a fiction.”
Cohabitating with my doubts.
Tumblr Post #1 (December 2015) I’ve been told that the hardest thing about writing a novel is convincing yourself that what you have to say is worth being told. Actually…no one has told me this. But it’s something that I’m learning along the way. I am currently on my third attempt at writing my firstContinue reading “Cohabitating with my doubts.”
