In a few hours 2011 will approach, announcing her presence in the form of horns, confetti, and champagne kisses. With 2010 stretched behind me like a red carpet, I gracefully make my first step into the new year feeling blessed.
2010 has truly been a fantastic year. I learned a lot this year, especially about myself. I also accomplished a lot. It wasn't until yesterday as I got dressed for work that I realized that 2010 is the end of a decade. There is significance to this given that it represents the end of a chapter, and the dawning of a new one.
Speaking of accomplishments, yesterday I submitted two manuscripts to different anthologies. In the writing world, these anthologies are called literary journals. I walked away from the post office feeling like a true writer. Like author, Chinua Achebe who said that at the beginning of his career he sent out his first and ONLY copy of his manuscript "Things Fall Apart" with faith, I too let my work go with good faith. I've also gotten a nod to read my work at an upcoming Caribbean Literary Festival(Another excuse to go to Jamaica twice in one year!)
Submitting my work was symbolic. It was an act that I never thought I would find the guts to do. Given that I'm a generation x writer, it's always easier to submit work online, but there's something empowering about walking to the post office with an envelope and taking the extra time to mail it. Like my writing ancestors before me, I learned that if I want to be a successful writer, I'll have to make that effort no matter how much snow is on the ground (and yes, there were still 2 feet of snow on the ground from that blizzard that covered New York City).
What I learned most from 2010 is the importance of sowing seeds. I learned, or rather re-learned that I have to work hard to make things happen. My grandmother always said "If yuh want good, yuh nose haffi run", meaning if I want the prize, I have to work hard to earn it. I didn't know how hard I was working until I overheard a coffee shop worker at the cafe I frequent whispering to the other one saying "Chile, that girl works so hard. She comes in here when we open and leaves when we close. We might be serving the next Oprah or somebody". This had put a smile on my face. It means I'm doing something constructive with my writing time. As author Walter Mosely always says, "Treat writing like a job. Get up and do it everyday". This is synonymous with what poet, Sonia Sanchez says: "Just like you spread your bed everyday, the same goes for writing." I will take all these great writing advise into 2011 and work hard towards building my portfolio.
I mentioned Jamaica earlier. Believe it or not, my country is my muse. My mentor says that authors tend to write about the place of their origin when they're away from it. This is very true for me. In fact, it's so true that I find myself calling my family members, even estranged ones, and friends more often to ask them certain details about parts of the Island or certain sayings in patois that began to fade from my memory. We became closer in those conversations. I even found myself skimming through history books that I used to put down out of boredom in high school, devouring the pages like I've never seen them before. Then I wanted more, so I went on an incredible journey in 2010 with my partner, where we set out on my first trip back to my country after 5 years--her wanting to know more about where I'm from and getting to know my family who have all embraced her, and me wanting a visual snap shot for my stories as wells as to re-establish my connection there. Since then, we've booked tickets to go back, officially making Jamaica our second home.
Therefore, writing has brought me closer to my country. With an artist's lens, I saw beauty; with my heart I saw family; with my mind, I understood that the oppression I faced growing up gay and dark skin was something that caused me great sadness, but it was also something that strengthened me as a person and as an artist.
So lastly, as 2010 fades in the distance, I will always remember my progress, knowing that 2011 will be the beginning of a successful chapter, God's willing.
© Nicole
