A writer’s process… it’s a matter of life or death!

Good morning day~ its Monday… The task of sitting with the page is not always easy.

I woke up today feeling weak. I don’t like this. I’m uncomfortable. I am trying to find a place that feels comfortable to write—a position that my body will like. VONA… the first few days of that experience is what is on my mind. I keep moving this journal from one side to the other I can’t get right. I am having a tough day so far. Nothing that I have been doing is working. I don’t feel inspired right now. I feel the muscles in my body wanting to tighten and resist. Doing anything and everything to not stay with the page.

But I must stay with it.

Writing is what I do and is so much of who I am. So as much as there is something inside of me that wants to keep me from writing today. I must write. I must not give up on me.

I have moved from the chair at the kitchen table to the sofa in the living room. I have propped this journal on pillows… moving it from the pillow to my lap. Still don’t feel that’s quite right. So I move to the floor and place the journal on the glass table, sit on the floor Indian style and begin to write… then I realized… shit my feet feel like they are being suffocated by these sandals.

STOP WRITING!

Remove sandals…

Right strap…

Left…

Back to Indian style… NOPE! That doesn’t work either. Shit! The vase on the table is in my way. Move vase. OK… sit on an angle… arms are exactly perfect now on the table. Pen to page… we begin!

The writer’s process can be grueling. All kinds of things will rise to test us… to see if we really want this… to see if we are REALLY writers. And I AM a writer!

So as I begin this day with the intention of having (3) pages written before I begin my day… I breathe a sigh of exhilaration… these three pages feel like I just ran ten miles…painful… a little brutal but I stayed with it and refuse to give up on me or this damn story that just might kill me. Yet I know that it IS the story that MUST be told!

Creator, thank you for this day and for helping me get these (3) pages done. Now the real writing begins!

Ache~

Stay with it!

Don’t give up!

Keep going!

There are people waiting for the greatness that is YOU!

Peace, light and LOVE~

Alicia

Follow me on twitter: @diosadominicana

VONA is an experience~

I am left with this sense of accomplishment... quite an achievement... its as if I just received a Ph.D from writers of color. What a huge honor!

Creator, Thank you for VONA!

Thank you to every single person that got me to VONA!

After traveling 20 hours… Oakland, LAX, Minneapolis then NYC… I finally arrived to New York in time to see my daughter off to college and had the nerve to begin my 12-week writing workshop that I facilitate at Hunter College yesterday… this is how serious I am about this writing thang!

Thank you to every person who prayed that I would get to VONA and who knew that I would get there! Thank you to every family member who has supported and loved me. I am so grateful for the family I gained while at VONA. Grateful for the incredible connections and profound learning that went down.

My instructor Maaza Mengiste, author of, Beneath the Lion’sGaze. Thank you for teaching me the importance of “story”—the importance of their story. Maaza you taught me to not get lost in the history and research. That its “all about character.” I was obsessed with making sure that the history was on point and perfect. You gave me permission to let all of that go and allow the characters to lead me on their journey. “Let the character tell me what I need to know”  and that, “it’s the story that matters!!!” from the depths of me I thank you Maaza. I will hear your tender and loving voice every time I spend time with these characters. I love you and am grateful for you. (Get the book she is an amazing writer).

I am grateful for every woman I spent the week writing with: Emily, Jean, Lydia, Burnita, Negin, Tara, Nakia, Danielle, Queen Esther and Alicia U. thank you for taking the time to read my manuscript and for providing me with feedback that I know will carry me though to the end of writing this novel. Thank you so much… I love you.

And real talk… thank you to my investors… you are my investors and dream makers… my personal angels who supported me in getting to VONA. YOU not only believe in me but you believe in this story. Thank you for playing such a huge role in getting me to VONA and having this experience. I want you to know that not only did I get your money’s worth I finished it. I gave every ounce of me. This experience is beyond words. I will continue to work at this level for the rest of my life. Thank you Andreina, Nivea, Eneida, Rock, Josie, Yoseli, Griselda, Maria, Peggy, Mia, Adolmary and Vanessa (if I have left anyone off... THANK YOU!) My kickstarter backers, my indiegogo supporters... you truly have my heart <3

I am so grateful for everyone’s love and generosity. I WILL FINISH THIS! And we will celebrate at the book release.

I just wanted to say thank you… thank you Diem and the entire VONA Faculty and Staff. Thank YOU! Today I was a little more firmly and with a tremendous amount of direction.

VONA Class of 2012… WORD! Mama graduated! 

Maferefun Oggun~ padre tu hija lo logro~

Ache!

Peace, light and LOVE

Always Alicia

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 29^th is the final enrollment date.

Rituals of Writing

Deposit$50.00 USD    Payment in full$333.00 USD    After deposit$283.00 USD    Six payments$47.17 USD

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).