Writer's Workshop

Today I had the pleasure of meeting up with some of my dear writer friends for the 2nd annual African American Writer's Workshop which is held every year at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, Scotlandville Branch. The turn out was nice and the speakers were dynamic. Part of being a good writer is reaching back and helping others along the way. As I've ventured through this journey I've learned some valuable lessons and priceless information from writers who were so willing to give of themselves. I've also learned that people like these are few and far in between. I made a promise that I would never turn my back on an up and coming author who was searching for information. I promised that I would look out for other writers; giving them the tools that they would need to become successful and most of all give them my moral support. Sometimes writers have to take a step down from their thrones, remove their diva tiara's and leave their egos at the door. Sometimes it's not just about you, it's about you and everybody who helped you along the way. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank several of my writer friends and I hope that you will support them in their writing efforts. Shout outs and special thank you's go to: Niaomi Piter, author of Broken Vows and In the Panty Drawer, Dr. Rani Whitfield, contributing writer for Not in My Family, Sevetri Wilson, editor of http://www.b-now.com/ , Byron Harmon, author of All the Women I've Loved, Mistakes Men Make, and Crabs in a Barrel and Anna J, author of My Woman His Wife and The Aftermath. Thank you guys for your support, guidance, raw honesty and most of all, your friendship.

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I'm Back....

Yes, that's right ladies and gents...I'm back with a new look and a hellva attitude. After my mom passed, I just didn't feel like writing anymore, that is until my editor called and said she had an opening and needed my manuscript asap! Since May I've been finishing up "Sideline Ho" which is scheduled to drop on March 20th and I must admit, I've been doing the myspace thing for a while (don't act like you don't know). If feels good to be back and let me tell you...I've got a lot of stuff to write about. So sit back and enjoy the journey as I take you through Cherie Quarters in 2007.

A Piece of Cake

Have you every been stressed out and didn't even know it until you physically removed yourself from the source of your stress? Well, let me tell you...this weekend was awesome for me. I had the opportunity to visit Austin, Texas and besides the fact that African-Americans are a rare commodity in those neck of the woods, I was at peace (which I haven't been in a long time). I didn't do anything out of the ordinary, except focus on me and some of the changes that I need to make in my life. I researched a new business venture and brushed up on my entrepreneur skills, spent some needed time with my brother and kids and forged a friendship with another sista. I also peeked at my copy of "A Piece of Cake" by Cupcake Brown. It seems like a really good story, but she started off talking about the death of her mother and if you've been keeping up with my blogs you know that I recently loss my mother last month. Believe me, I have enough on my plate so I had to put Cupcake down for a while, but don't worry, as soon as I am able to handle it I'm going to pick that bad boy up again. I also finished Baby Brother's Blues by Pearl Cleage. If there are any Cleage fans out there this was a good read. Don't you just love her characters.

Okay, I'm getting off of the subject. Anyway, I brought my behind back to Louisiana on Monday afternoon and what happens? I feel this heavy weight. It hits me like a ton of bricks as am crossing the new Mississippi River bridge. "What the F#*@!" I couldn't believe that my "good feelings" were gone just like that. Then it really hit me...girl you were stressed out and didn't even know it! So now I need to figure out what's best for me. Planning and plotting to get that "good feeling" back. So what's your story? Tell us about the heavy weight in your life and how you got your good feeling back.

New Attitude

The older I get the more I began to realize just how funny life can be. Today I had my first "Waiting to Exhale" moment. Now if you don't know what I'm talking about then you need to run out to Blockbusters and grab the movie...enough said. Anyway, as I was going through my "moment" I got bold and decided that I was going to have my eyebrows and upper lip waxed. Now mind you, I've heard horror stories about waxing which is why I've been very hesitant, but like I said I was having a moment. The experience was different. I didn't feel any horrific pain like I've heard so many women complain about. Actually, I thought it was better than me trying to use tweezers, ouch! My lip did tingle, but I shook it off. So here I sit 3 hours and 40 minutes later and why is my upper lip still tingling? Actually it is kinda puffy, but I guess if you've waited 36 years to have it waxed that can be expected? Anyway, I don't care because let me tell you...I look great!!!! And I feel fabulous!
I guess part of my "moment" was induced from reading "Crazy Men Will Make You Do Crazy Things" by New Orleans native, Java Weatherby. I think the title says it all. Sometimes we do things for all of the wrong reasons, like to please that special someone, and other times we just forget about us because we are so into "them." But when you do things to please yourself... the rewards are endless. My moment was just that...mine! And I walked away with a new attitude about myself! So if you are feeling kinda blue take a moment just for you.

There Is A Time

As many of you already know my mother made her transition into the next life on Friday, March 10. During my time of grieving I've learned a lot about myself and those around me. First, I discovered that I am a lot stronger than I have ever given myself credit for. A strength that my mother recognized a long time ago. Now I will have to rely on that inner strength as I try to go on with my life. Secondly, I realized that things are never as they seem. My mother never shared with others that she was dying. A woman filled with pride, her death came as a surprise to those who were not in her inner circle. Since my mothers passing I have been fortunate to take in the goodness of those around me, such as my close friends and my extended family from Cherie Quarters, Baton Rouge, Dallas, New Roads, Lafayette, Maryland and San Francisco. I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and generosity.
In addition to my spirituality and faith in the creator, I have found inspiration in the writings of Vanessa Alexander Johnson "When Death Comes a Knockin." Vanessa doesn't bore you with technical jargon, but instead she keeps it real and down to Earth. Her book feels like a conversation between two friends. And believe me when I tell you that when you are grieving that last thing you want to hear is the textbook version for how you should be feeling. For those of you who enjoy my blogs, there maybe some time lapse in my posts but bare with me as I am going through a transition of learning how to live without my best friend and mom.

"There is a time to live and there is a time to die" Ecclesiastes 3:1

Gone But Not Forgotten

I guess it 's the way of the world, part of growing up is that we lose those that we have loved along the way. This month marks Black History Month, a time when we reflect on those who have paved the way for civil rights of minorities in America. Last night I had the opportunity to catch a part of the funeral service for Coretta Scott King on CNN. Most of the speakers didn't do much to move me, but it was the words of Malcolm X's oldest daughter, Attallah Shabazz that shook me to the core. At first I had to blink to make sure it was his daughter speaking and not Malcolm himself. She spoke of her relationship with Yolanda King and the similarities that they shared; both losing their fathers to the movement, being the oldest siblings, raised by single mothers who remained dedicated to their fathers and the movement an then losing them too. Standing there among 10,000 plus people she encouraged Black folk to stop singing "one day we shall over come" and instead make it an affirmation "today, we shall over come by any means necessary." The struggle is not over and we as minorities should still be fighting for equality. Repeating the question that was asked by Atlanta Mayor, Shirley Franklin "Who among us will join the freedom choir?" We have lost Medgar, Malcolm, Martin, Betty and now Coretta. Who will speak for the masses now? Who will speak out about racism and the ills of society that effects minorities in this country? Who will come forward and carry the torch? I look at Al Sharpton, Barack Obama, Cleo Fields, Mark Morial and Ray Nagin can they fill these shoes? Do they even want to fill them? What are we as a people doing to ensure that the next generation knows no boundaries? On yesterday my youngest son informed me that when he grows up he wants to be Moses. I hesitated, amazed that a four year old could even think on those terms. He talked about a video that he had watched at school about Moses saving the people. I smiled. Told him you are not Moses but you can be like him and lead your people to the promise land. Leaders are born everyday, but it's up to us to cultivate them and remind them about the struggle and the fallen heroes and sheroes. Teach them our story 365 days. Never let them forget.