How I'm Transforming as a Writer

Throughout the global pandemic (how can more than a year have passed?), I’ve looked at how my writing practice is transforming. I’ve had the privilege of time to explore what does and does not serve me in continuing to nurture my gifts while also prioritizing well-being, which is what prompted me to share my values here as well as in my last newsletter.

Life is short yet full of hope. This has been made most apparent in the past year. Both life and hope are precious; they cannot be wasted. With this in mind, I’ve decided some aspects in my writing life have come to an end while other areas need to be fully embraced with intention.

An image of a dirt road surrounded by greenery. | Hint of Jam article about how Jamae is transforming as a writer, sharing what no longer serves and what she's embracing.

What I’m leaving behind

Primarily, I no longer look at my writing practice through the lens of productivity. I am letting that go. Living in the United States under capitalism, we are expected to work and work and work. To gain an income, a following, a place in society. Essentially, living to work, running a continuous hamster wheel that consumes our every waking hour.

But I’m done. I’m done forcing myself to write for recognition and profit ‘cause I refuse to be exploited.

Also, as I return to blogging at Hint of Jam, I refuse to follow the “rules” of blogging—needing to grow an audience, to search for other audiences to get in front of, or to make money from this passion project. No more.

I’m going to shift my focus away from defining success in comparison to other creative’s work and toward the joy of the craft. The internet is vast; I will write for me and for my people.

An image of greenery with swathes of blue sky peeking between the leaves. | Hint of Jam article about how Jamae is transforming as a writer, sharing what no longer serves and what she's embracing.

What I’m leaning into

While leaving behind productivity and rule-abiding, I’m embracing a couple aspects. First, self-care and community care have been solidified as top priorities. I’ve mentioned among my values that the only way for me to sustainably continue doing the things only I can do, I need to recharge. To restore my cup so I can show up among my communities—creative, writing, movement.

This looks like continuing to keep my daily journal and to maintain daily routines (taking supplements, getting as much sleep as I can, brushing my teeth). This also looks like keeping a consistent practice, joining virtual writing groups, staying in touch with friends, and investing in learning groups where we share affirmation and resources. A cycle of give and take.

Second, I want to be intentional in my truth-telling through exploration. In other words, finding the corners that spark joy. I will explore every venue I feel drawn to. If things don’t work out, that’s ok. As long as I follow where my heart leads, I want to stay true to myself, not following a prescriptive path.

This looks like reevaluating my posting schedule for Hint of Jam, connecting with subscribers through the mailing list, engaging with the BIPOC literature community so we can all thrive.

Walking in my truth and telling my story is enough for me, even if it isn’t enough for the society I live in. This space, as I intended from the start, is meant to be a safer space for like-minded individuals, and I’m committed to holding space particularly for BIPOC artists. At the heart of it all, I’ll continue to put my energy out to the universe, transforming alongside my craft. And my guess is that the universe will hold me in return.