Thursday, June 28, 2012

VONA JOURNAL ENTRY

June 28th

VONA 2012 ... so I have been on the west coast at Berkeley for over a week now and have been really silent on facebook, twitter and every other medium of communication... not even texting.. Today what is rising for me? What am I feeling? Overwhelmed... with excitement and joy. I am surrounded by over 100 writers of color, published writers, non-published writers, poets, fiction writers, nonfiction writers, memoir writers, Black writers, Latina writers, Asian, Middle Eastern and West Indian writers... and its powerful. This shit is real... this right here is work. THIS IS EVERYTHING!!! Surrounded by writers with such incredibly different stories and experiences yet important stories to tell. I am so grateful for VONA! As I move into THIS day I realize the power in THIS moment... today my manuscript is getting workshopped and critiqued... today we will be looking at the characters and story of the Daughters of the Revolution. I am so present. I am so ready!!! Maferefun Oggun!

Welcome writers~ 12 Week Workshop starts 7/1/12


Welcome Writers!
Welcome to the Rituals of Writing Workshop. If you have decided to take this step its because you have answered that stirring in your heart and soul. You are investing in your dream and you really just want support and guidance. You have answered your call and I am incredibly honored, excited and thrilled to be spending the next (12) weeks working with you and moving through all that it takes to begin your project, get through your project and arrive to completion. 
What to expect

Expect to WRITE! Expect to be supported in your writing. Expect homework. 
Weeks 1 – 4: These first four weeks will be spent discovering, listening, trusting and honoring our voice.
Weeks 5 – 8: During these weeks we will be dealing with everything that rises and threatens to stop us from creating and maintaining our practice.
Weeks 9 – 12: Our last four weeks are writing intensive – we will be sharing, critiquing and work shopping your pieces. This is writing boot camp!

Ritual 1: Ritual of Writing  
Ritual 2: Ritual of Intention & Practice
Ritual 3: Ritual of Unleashing the Writer Within
Ritual 4: Ritual of Surrender
Ritual 5: Ritual of Procrastination & Inspiration
Ritual 6: Ritual of Process
Ritual 7: Ritual of Openness
Ritual 8: Ritual of Cultivation
Ritual 9: Ritual of Story
Ritual 10: Ritual of Loss
Ritual 11: Ritual of Renewal
Ritual 12: Ritual of Completion

Assigned reading: This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley (please purchase book before first class)


More details will be provided during our first class. There is a teleconference number that I will include in a separate email.
If you still haven’t signed up there are still a few seats left. June 29th is the final enrollment date.





Rituals of Writing





Workshop details~
 

This course will not be offered again until 2013 so reserve your seat now!
 

Class schedule:
 

July 1st
July 8th
July 15th
July 22nd
July 29th
August 5th
August 12th
August 19th
August 26th
September 2nd
September 9th
September 16th

Time: 2:00pm – 6:00pm
 

Teleconference number will be provided for those out of state. 


Location: El Centro at Hunter College (The Solarium RM E1413), Corner of 68th St. & Lexington Ave.
 

Workshop fee: $333.00

** $50 Deposit due by June 29th to secure spot. Seats limited**


Payment plan options:
 

*Option 1: pay the full amount of $333.00 by June 29th

*Option 2: six payments of $47.17 due:


June 22 (payment due) 
June 29 (payment due)

remaining payments of $47.17:
July 6, July 13, July 20 and July 27)


I look forward to seeing and writing with all of you!
Peace, light and love,
Alicia

See below for detailed description:

Rituals of Writing 12-week workshop~
 

Facilitated by Alicia Anabel Santos
 

When will you drop the excuses? When will you choose you first? When will you believe that this is what you were meant to do… were born to do? When will you write the f’g story? It’s time ladies…
The Rituals of Writing Workshop is an intensive 12-week class with the intention of creating lasting rituals when it comes to our writing and creativity. These rituals are about putting ourselves first. These rituals are about learning new techniques and gaining some insight into the kind of writer you intend to be. Who are you? Are you a writer? Do you affirm it? Do you believe it? Do you know it? If you don’t I am here to be that mirror… I AM A WRITER! And so are you!
 

For twelve weeks we will be committed to working on a project and arriving to completion or getting damn near close. I will support you in going further than you have ever gone alone. For 12 weeks we will be cleaning up house, releasing the BS we have believed to be the truth. We will explore what developing a consistent practice and being disciplined looks like (identifying our own practice). 2012 is the year of transformation and completion… releasing what no longer serves us, releasing the old story so we can begin to write the NEW STORY!  Its time we get out of our own way.
 

The Rituals of Writing 12-week intensive is a SPIRIT- RITUAL~
 

We are extracting the ritual in spiritual understanding that they are one in the same. Writing is a spiritual experience and a personal journey into the soul. It is a conversation with our hearts and putting onto the page those things that we MUST share with the world. If writing is something that you want to do for yourself you too are welcome to take this course. Understand this workshop is about forward movement. We are breaking barriers and pushing ourselves harder than we ever have. The old excuses no longer work. There is something spiritual about starting practicing your craft the same way everyday. For 12 weeks we will be practicing the 12 Rituals of Writing that will help us get to the finish line.
 

About facilitator: ALICIA ANABEL SANTOS

Alicia Anabel is a proud New York born Dominicana who is passionate about writing works that empower and inspire women to find their voices, speak up and demand that they be respected. A self-identified Latina Lesbian Writer, Performance Artist, Producer, Playwright, and Activist, who after reading one too many stories about women she could not wholly relate to, decided to write her own tales that would honor women throughout Latin America and at the same time be representative of the American-born Latina experience.
 

She recently published her memoir, Finding Your Force: A Journey to Love and is currently completing a historical fiction novel titled, The Daughters of the Revolution. Her one-woman show I WAS BORN was selected as part of the ONE Festival in 2011, held in NYC. She is the Founder of the New York City Latina Writers Group. Alicia has worked for renowned magazines BusinessWeek, Glamour and Domino, but it was an article published in Urban Latino Magazine, "Two Cultures Marching to One Drum," that would change the direction of her life. In 2008, Alicia joined Creador Pictures as Writer /Co-Producer of its first documentary, "Afro Latinos: La Historia Que Nunca Nos Contaron / AfroLatinos: The Untaught Story" WWW.AFROLATINOS.TV, partnering with Renzo Devia, on a project that will change the way the world sees color and race relations in Latin America. Alicia lives in Harlem, NYC with her daughter Courtniana. She works as a freelance writer and activist against sexual and physical abuse towards women and children. She attended New York University and Rhode Island College.
 

Santos has spoken, performed and held workshops at Stanford University, Yale University, Brown University, Arizona State University, Johnson & Wales University, New York University, SUNY Albany, SUNY Plattsburg, SUNY New Paltz, Bowdoin College, Cornell University, Pace University, George Mason University, University of North Carolina (Wilmington), Medgar Evers College, Columbia University Teachers College, George Washington University, Haverford College, Five College Pa’Lante Event (Amherst College, UMASS Amherst, Smith College, Hampshire College, and Mount Holyoke College) the LGBT: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, Brooklyn Book Fair, Nuyorican Poets Café and Bowery Poetry Club.
 

Keynote address at Syracuse University: Without Limits: A Women’s Movement! (2012) Conferences: National Dominican Student Conference (2012, 2011, 2011), Fuerza Latina’s 22nd Annual National Latino Collegiate Conference,"El Poder De Ahora: The Dawn of a New Era" (2012).

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Rituals of Writing 12-Week Writing Intensive


Welcome to the Rituals of Writing 12-week workshop~
Facilitated by Alicia Anabel Santos
When will you drop the excuses? When will you choose you first? When will you believe that this is what you were meant to do… were born to do? When will you write the f’g story? It’s time ladies…
The Rituals of Writing Workshop is an intensive 12-week class with the intention of creating lasting rituals when it comes to our writing and creativity. These rituals are about putting ourselves first. These rituals are about learning new techniques and gaining some insight into the kind of writer you intend to be. Who are you? Are you a writer? Do you affirm it? Do you believe it? Do you know it? If you don’t, I am here to be that mirror… I AM A WRITER! And so are you!
For twelve weeks we will be committed to working on a project and arriving to completion or getting damn near close. I will support you in going further than you have ever gone alone. For 12 weeks we will be cleaning up house, releasing the BS we have believed to be the truth. We will explore what developing a consistent practice and being disciplined looks like (identifying our own practice). 2012 is the year of transformation and completion… releasing what no longer serves us, releasing the old story so we can begin to write the NEW STORY!  Its time we get out of our own way.
The Rituals of Writing 12-week intensive is a SPIRIT- RITUAL~
We are extracting the ritual in spiritual understanding that they are one in the same. Writing is a spiritual experience and a personal journey into the soul. It is a conversation with our hearts and putting onto the page those things that we MUST share with the world. If writing is something that you want to do for yourself you too are welcome to take this course. Understand this workshop is about forward movement. We are breaking barriers and pushing ourselves harder than we ever have. The old excuses no longer work. There is something spiritual about starting practicing your craft the same way everyday. For 12 weeks we will be practicing the 12 Rituals of Writing that will help us get to the finish line.
About facilitator: ALICIA ANABEL SANTOS

Alicia Anabel is a proud New York born Dominicana who is passionate about writing works that empower and inspire women to find their voices, speak up and demand that they be respected. A self-identified Latina Lesbian Writer, Performance Artist, Producer, Playwright, and Activist, who after reading one too many stories about women she could not wholly relate to, decided to write her own tales that would honor women throughout Latin America and at the same time be representative of the American-born Latina experience.
She recently published her memoir, Finding Your Force: A Journey to Love and is currently completing a historical fiction novel titled, The Daughters of the Revolution. Her one-woman show I WAS BORN was selected as part of the ONE Festival in 2011, held in NYC. She is the Founder of the New York City Latina Writers Group. Alicia has worked for renowned magazines BusinessWeek, Glamour and Domino, but it was an article published in Urban Latino Magazine, "Two Cultures Marching to One Drum," that would change the direction of her life. In 2008, Alicia joined Creador Pictures as Writer /Co-Producer of its first documentary, "Afro Latinos: La Historia Que Nunca Nos Contaron / AfroLatinos: The Untaught Story" WWW.AFROLATINOS.TV, partnering with Renzo Devia, on a project that will change the way the world sees color and race relations in Latin America. Alicia lives in Harlem, NYC with her daughter Courtniana. She works as a freelance writer and activist against sexual and physical abuse towards women and children. She attended New York University and Rhode Island College.
Santos has spoken, performed and held workshops at Stanford University, Yale University, Brown University, Arizona State University, Johnson & Wales University, New York University, SUNY Albany, SUNY Plattsburg, SUNY New Paltz, Bowdoin College, Cornell University, Pace University, George Mason University, University of North Carolina (Wilmington), Medgar Evers College, Columbia University Teachers College, George Washington University, Haverford College, Five College Pa’Lante Event (Amherst College, UMASS Amherst, Smith College, Hampshire College, and Mount Holyoke College) the LGBT: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, Brooklyn Book Fair, Nuyorican Poets Café and Bowery Poetry Club.
Keynote address at Syracuse University: Without Limits: A Women’s Movement! (2012)
Conferences: National Dominican Student Conference (2012, 2011, 2011), Fuerza Latina’s 22nd Annual National Latino Collegiate Conference,"El Poder De Ahora: The Dawn of a New Era" (2012).

Workshop details~
This course will not be offered again until 2013 so reserve your seat now!
Classes begin:
July 1st
July 8th
July 15th
July 22nd
July 29th
August 5th
August 12th
August 19th
August 26th
September 2nd
September 9th
September 16th

Time: 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Location: El Centro at Hunter College (The Solarium RM E1413), Corner of 68th str. & Lexington Ave.
Workshop fee: $333.00

** $50 Deposit due by June 29th to secure spot. Seats limited**



Payment plan options:
*Option 1: pay the full balance by June 29th
*Option 2: six payments of $47.17 due (June 22, June 29, July 6, July 13, July 20 and July 27)
Financial assistance: Two need based scholarships will be offered. Please send an email describing why you need financial aid at findingyourforce@gmail.com. Email deadline is June 22nd. This is an investment in your craft and in your story. You are worth it!
Final day to enroll is June 29th no exceptions.

Rituals of Writing


The Rituals of Writing 12-week workshop intensive is for women who WRITE! Period… it doesn’t matter what level writer you are… it doesn’t matter where in the world you are located… distance is not an excuse. I am making this course accessible to women who want to attend VIA: Skype and teleconference. There are NO excuses for not becoming the writers we are destined to be.
If you aren’t a writer but want to sponsor someone sign them up… no one gets there alone! Ache! And so it is~


Peace, light and LOVE~
Alicia

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

This is history in the making~ A New Renaissance


Today is the day we make our mark!
Today we are on the hunt!
Today there is NO STOPPING US!
Today no one can kill our dreams!
Today we are doing IT!
Today we believe in all good things!
Today we know that when we want something badly enough all of the universe conspires in helping us achieve it.

Today I am meditating on the word community… the people who come together for ONE mutual cause… this is a THANK YOU to my community… to this beautiful community of many colors, genders, cultures and religious backgrounds… this artist community… this writers community… this spiritual community… this FAMILY…
Thank you…
I woke up this morning saying to myself: “No one gets there alone! Remember that!”
We are not doing this by ourselves although sometimes as artists it feels incredibly lonely doing the work that we do. This journey that we have chosen is not without cost and sacrifice against a society that considers only those who are producing as people with “real jobs.” 
Sometimes its hard to be in a relationship with lovers who feel that they are competing for your time… wanting us to choose between our art and the relationship… but where we realize… there is NO COMPETITION for what we are here to do… and we will do it at all cost… even if the cost is losing you!
We are not alone…
I am not alone…
You are not alone…
We cannot take sole credit for the art we create. There is something greater more powerful at work here.
This is how dreams come true… how visions are manifested… as I watch in awe and support a sister living her dream I am incredibly grateful I am here for this moment…  this is why truly supporting each other is crucial… a message from writers of color:
“This is history in the making…”

Favorite quotes:
“Write the story!”
“Are you going to be a what if person for the rest of your life?” Meriam Rodriguez
“I started to take myself seriously.”
“Being influenced by new writers… being inspired by them.” Charlie Vazquez
“It’s all about community!”
“Latino and black writers don’t take their work seriously.” Alicia Anabel Santos

When will we take our art, our passion, our vision, our lives and ourselves seriously?
I am sitting in my bed at this moment really feeling where I am at--at this particular moment. Feeling everything that I am made of in this moment. I am paying attention to every thing that is happening inside of me.  The constant changes… the people who have been sent to help me… the amazing blessings I am receiving and the blessings that are on its way.
Creator, thank you for bringing me people who truly are angels on earth. I have been doing this writing thing for as long as we have been doing this and the support you have sent me has been incredibly beautiful. THANK YOU!
Today is very symbolic for me… not only because it’s June 6th… or 6 being my favorite number… today is also the day I hit SUBMIT PAYMENT for the VONA Writing Residency at the University of Berkeley California… Thank you to every single person who contributed… who held me in love and prayer… THANK YOU! I could not have done it without you. This will be my greatest work yet!
There is still time to donate… $200.00 is all that remains for my fundraiser for the plane ticket…






This is history in the making…
I am so humbled and filled with so much love and gratitude.
Peace, light and LOVE~
Alicia

Friday, June 1, 2012

The Truth of YOU Cannot be Altered!


The truth of you cannot be altered… this is the message that I woke to…

Alicia, the truth of you cannot be altered…
The truth of me cannot be altered!
The truth is you are Divine!
The truth is you are here to do great things!
The truth is the old story was never the truth…
The truth is that today you are living your truth.
The truth is you are beauty in motion.
The truth is you have much work to do.
The truth is I have been waiting for you to seek the truth.
The truth is I have been waiting for you to KNOW the truth.

The truth is I have been waiting for you to live your truth.
The truth is you have always known that the truth lives within you… I’ve simply been waiting for you to tap into the truth and discover who you truly are.
The truth of you cannot be altered or changed!

The truth is... there are people waiting for who you already are!

I love this because it completely releases me from the chains that have imprisoned me believing someone else’s truth. My truth looks and feels very different. My truth is love. The truth is that I am here to do amazing things and I will do all of it. My truth will not be altered or changed. Today I stand in my truth with grace, humility, gratitude and love.
And so it is~

In six days… in six days the final payment is due for VONA… the Voices of Our Nation Writing Residency at Berkeley University in California. It has already been written… not my story but my place this year at VONA. It has already been written. I am so grateful for those who have supported me. I need to raise $795.00 and my goal is met. Will you be the person to help me get there? That is my hope. No amount is too small from $5 to whatever you can comfortable give… you are helping live my dream and we all need support. NO ONE gets to where they are destined to be alone… I thank you for your prayers, love and support.


What is VONA?
“The Voices of Our Nation Arts Foundation Workshop is a special gathering of writers who spend 1 week working with authors of color. This workshop honors the literary traditions of heritage and culture and promotes the styles, voices, forms and concerns of writers-of-color and their connections to the literary world. All workshops are intimate gatherings of writers who take their writing seriously and are looking for an experience that will nurture them as writers; heighten their awareness of writing as a political, social and literary tool; and provide a community that supports each writer as they explore issues that require a profound sense of trust and professionalism.”
 
 To donate:






What I was born to do!