Monthly Musings
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April 28, 2024

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April started with a bang! Tabitha Brown—my favorite social media influencer—shared NANA'S FAVORITE THINGS on her Instagram show, Very Good Mondays. If I'm being honest, Tabitha's recognition brought me enough joy to last the rest of this year. I've started replaying the video when writing things wear me down, which causes my optimism tank to quickly fill back up. 

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There has been absolutely no traction on my memoir this month. Zilch, nada, nothing from agents or editors. I did talk with three women, two of whom are writing memoirs, and one who is figuring out where to begin. None of us have big names or big platforms. Whether our words actually grace bookshelves in this country or abroad is yet to be seen. But what the four of us do have in common, is a story to tell. 

 

So, while I continue putting in work on my memoir, it helps to know there are others doing the same. We are all on separate paths, with a united goal. I hope that they, like me, never give up.

-DHP

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March 25, 2024

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This month I received my third memoir proposal agent rejection. It landed the day before a celebratory trip to Hawaii for my mother’s 80th birthday. Perfect timing, right? I tried to file it in my email folder and forget it, but the sadness lingered a few days longer. Eventually, it subsided, and I remained present for the rest of my mother’s mega milestone. 

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What I want, more than anything on this writing journey, is to be authentically transparent. I am fully aware the odds are against me. Although I am a dreamer, I’m also a realist … and a strategic thinker, who pays close attention to minute details many people overlook. What I am not, is a quitter. I truly don’t know how to give up on my writing goals. And so, I will continue to wait for my yes. I know it’s out there; we will find each other soon. 

-DHP

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February 24, 2024

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My week-long writing residency at Baldwin For The Arts was surreal. An introvert’s dream! Peace, quiet, and uninterrupted solitude. It’s been years since I've experienced the writing zone. That place where creatives completely escape the cacophony of mental and physical noise from our daily lives and simply release, relax, write. I literally lost track of my days, which was wonderful! I gave myself permission to let go of the control I have over most things in my life. Here’s the kicker—nothing broke or fell apart. 

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Being in this sacred space allowed me to finally complete my memoir proposal. While there's lots more work to do, I stand in gratitude for this gift of time and embrace my win. My heart, mind, and spirit are full. A blessing indeed.

 

-DHP

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January 26, 2024

This year I will be traveling to my first writing residency with Baldwin for the Arts. As a writer for close to 15 years, this has been one of my many dreams. I've watched from the sidelines as authors I admire spoke about their attendance at these sacred creative spaces. So, to say I am ecstatic to have received this opportunity, is an understatement.

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I recently saw an X post by author, Jess Hernandez that said: "If you're going to be in any creative field long term, learn to be happy for other people." Jess couldn't be more spot on. It takes time to hone your craft. But once you put in the work and begin to reap the harvest of what you've sown, own it! Enjoy it! Bask in it! Which is what I plan to do. 

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Again, I truly thank you for subscribing. Please note, these musings will not be long, and there will only be one a month. Oh, and, if you post something poignant that resonates with me, don't be surprised if I mention it here. 

-DHP