Make no mistake, this kind of writing is rife with pitfalls. We often get too didactic, too preachy, and no reader likes to be told what to do. Other times, we end up preaching to the choir, only persuading those who already agree with us. (Now, there’s a legitimate argument that this, too, serves a purpose in validating your reader’s perspective, or outrage, and spurring them to action.) A related problem is when our focus is too limited, tied to one culture, subculture, place, or time period. (Like when I was a high-schooler writing endless op-eds about eliminating home room.)

None of this to say writing for change is a bad idea. Where we would be without books like Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring that changed people’s minds about pesticide use or Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” that spurred people to protest for racial justice?

That’s one thing I want to emphasize: never forget our first job is to write well and true, to make art, to move reader’s and maybe change lives

Another is this: All change, arguably, comes from stories. Stories move us  

Here’s one more: Good writing for change should also be about change.

Change happens in the action of the story: change in the world, in the character or the narrator.

Change also happens in perception: the narrator’s, the character’s … and the reader’s!

Let’s look at five particular ways to approach writing for change:

1. Bear witness for yourself 

Many years ago when I was assigned my first class teaching memoir writing online, I was shocked by how many stories I read about abuse, emotional and physical.  Perhaps ten of the fifteen students wrote about it. I thought “What are the chances?” Then I taught another class, then another, each one had about the same number of hard stories. Finally I realized: This is the world in live in. 

Memoirists often ask: Does the world need another story about X?  The answer is YES. I needed to read that many stories to recognize how widespread abuse is in our culture. Ditto for disability, for racism, for misogyny. So many hard subjects are swept under the proverbial carpet. The first step to changing any problem is recognizing it exists!  This is what writers of autobiography or memoir or creative nonfiction can do!

In “Black in Middle America” Roxane Gay simply describes her experiences as a black woman in mostly-white communities, the way she can never escape feeling out of place. She bears witness to effects of racism that are more subtle than those of overt discrimination.

2. Bear witness for others 

Writers of creative nonfiction can also write about something that has happened or is happening to others. This can be in the form of investigative journalism or it can take a more lyric form. In “Dawn and Mary” Brian Doyle bears witness to the heroism of two women by packing their stories into 750 words, using only their first names, using the tools of poetry: repetition, refrain, sound to pack a punch. One pitfall of bearing witness for others is when you become condescending or when you appropriate a story the subject could writer for themselves. In “Dawn and Mary” Doyle eloquently gives voice to these women who are no longer alive to tell their own stories.  

3. Use myth or allegory … and turn up the volume!

You can use a mythical figure or an allegory to expose a person or a dynamic without pointing a finger directly. (Animal Farm by George Orwell is a classic allegory of how socialism can go awry.) Native American writers Robin Wall Kimmerer uses the figure of “The Windigo” to decry the behavior of many Americans, and one in particular, without naming names. It arguably allows her to be even more scathing than she would/could be otherwise, to “turn up the volume” on her voice. 

4. Write a letter … to the future

The epistolary form can be means of creating intimacy. In “Dear Soon-to-be-Sprout” Elizabeth Rush uses it, unexpectedly, as a call to arms for collective action to combat climate change. The letter form personalizes her urgency, but also reaches out to the reader. She addresses most of her letter to “you,” her unborn daughter, but she slyly also slips in an occasional “we” as in this sentence. “I want to say to you, little seed, change is that only thing that is true, and it starts when we join one and one to make more than two.” And just that, the reader is implicated and invited, too. 

5. Try a “found essay”  

I mentioned earlier the danger of appropriating someone else’s story or voice. One solution is to quote them, as in “Transgender Day of Remembrance” take snippets of other texts and put them together. (How long did it take you while reading to realize this was the case?) This technique is most often used in poetry, in what are called “found” poems, but Torrey Peters takes it a step farther in creating this rightly harrowing “found essay.” 

PROMPT Option 1: Write a letter

List three experiences you have lived that others may not share (perhaps you were raised rural or in a nontraditional family, maybe you have a disability or identify as L.G.B.T.Q) 

Choose one and write a letter to a child-to-be about this experience and what you hope will change for him/her/them

OR Write a letter to your former self reassuring him/her/them of all that has changed

PROMPT Option 2: Bearing Witness

Write about someone acting heroically, big or small, at some risk to himself, someone you know about or someone you’ve heard about recently in the style of “Dawn and Mary”

OR Try a “found essay” with bits and pieces of news articles or testimonials that speak to the experiences of an underrepresented group in the style of “Transgender Day of Remembrance”

Ana Maria Spagna is the author of several books including Uplake: Restless Essays of Coming and Going, Reclaimers, stories of elder women reclaiming sacred land and water, Test Ride on the Sunnyland Bus, winner of the River Teeth literary nonfiction prize, 100 Skills You’ll Need for the End of the World (as We Know It) a humor-infused exploration of how to live more lightly on the planet, and two previous essay collections, Potluck and Now Go Home. Her first novel for young people, The Luckiest Scar on Earth, about a 14 year-old snowboarder and her activist father, appeared in 2017. Ana Maria’s work has been recognized by the Society for Environmental Journalists, Nautilus Book Awards, and as a four-time finalist for the Washington State Book Award. You can find her at www.anamariaspagna.com and on Twitter @amspagna

The post #5onFri: Five Approaches to Writing for Change appeared first on DIY MFA.

But 2020 has been so strange in so many ways, which is why there is no Word of the Year winner this year. Instead, they released a full report of words—Oxford Languages 2020: Words of an Unprecedented Year. From the most-searched terms to the most recently added, here are the top words we heard, searched for, created, and used in 2020.

Anthropause

With global lockdowns and business restrictions, the regular buzz of human interaction and travel has come to a halt. An anthropause, therefore, is the slowing or stopping of cultural human activity. This is not to be confused with Cancel Culture, which is a public rejection of previously acceptable practices or views.

Black Lives Matter

This phrase exploded onto the scene in June and has remained one of the most-searched-for terms of the year. In fact, searches related to systemic racism have increased by 1623% from 2019 to 2020 according to the report. We expect and hope to see these words at a continual peak until the systemic racism and police brutality against Black, Indigenous, and other people of color has come to an end.

Blursday

Time tends to warp when your entire life has been upended. Your previous habits—gym on Monday/Wednesday, lunch with the girls every Thursday, etc.—gave you subtle ways of keeping the days and weeks straight. Now that folks are stuck at home, it doesn’t even seem to matter what day of the week it is, much less can anyone remember. Every day is now called Blursday.

Bubble

Previously a spherical pocket of gas enclosed in liquid, your “bubble” now refers to the group of people you have close contact with, such as any household members or coworkers. Coronavirus is known to spread within bubbles once it is introduced. Everyone’s bubbles overlap, which is adding to the spread of the virus. The tighter you can keep your bubble, the safer you may be (no guarantees!).

Coronavirus

This word isn’t new, but March this year was the first time most of us became aware of it and its meaning. Used as a general term for Covid-19, coronavirus has been reported as one of the most frequently used nouns of the year. This is one term that won’t be missed when it finally dissipates. 

Doomscrolling

There’s certainly a lot of bad news in the world this year, and 2020 made it more and more difficult to find a safe space on the internet to escape from it all. Thus, many of us turned to doomscrolling. This slang term refers to our tendencies to scroll endlessly through worrying pages of articles or social posts. Definitely something to be on the lookout for and abate immediately.

Infodemic

One reason doomscrolling happens is because of the corresponding cultural infodemic. Infodemic refers to a state where information (often incorrect or unsubstantiated) becomes overwhelming to the public until we cannot distinguish fact from fiction. 

Karen

Agree with this one or not, there’s no doubt that Karen has taken on a much deeper meaning than just a pretty name. In case you need a refresher, “Karen” is a general slang term used to describe a certain type of woman who shows disregard for others and often asks to see the manager. It may not be as eloquent as a Shakespearean insult, but our generation does its best. 

Net Zero

“Climate Emergency” was the Word of the Year in 2019, so it’s no wonder climate-related words are still on the list. Among others, there was a lot of buzz around the term Net Zero, which refers to the idea that an entity can reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by combatting carbon-producing activities with an equal measure of carbon-reducing ones. This is sometimes also referred to as becoming carbon neutral.

PPE

Standing for Personal Protective Equipment, this became a hot commodity in March when coronavirus cases began climbing worldwide. These days, billions of people around the world wear PPE on a daily basis, mostly in the form of face masks worn by the general public. Other pieces of PPE include gloves and face shields.

Unprecedented

This one definitely wins the award for most overused. Even Oxford Languages put it in their report title as a tongue-in-cheek nod to its abuse. Meaning “never before seen,” it certainly did apply to many of 2020’s events. But that still doesn’t take away the fact that everyone decided to use a $10 word where a $1 word would do.

Wildfires

This clearly isn’t new, and it didn’t take on any special meaning this year, but the news was dominated by wildfires raging in Australia, the US, and the Amazon (many of these are still burning). The devastation caused by these blazes has affected people near and far, including those in our word nerd family.

Workcation

This word is already a few years old, but it saw a 500% jump in usage in 2020 with the major uptick in remote working. Since most people can’t or shouldn’t be going anywhere anyway, it becomes tempting to take a day or two off and then end up doing work during it anyway.

It’s impossible to sum up the year that is 2020 in just a word or two. We applaud Oxford Languages for their creative list this year and look forward to a much happier list in 2021!

Jeanette the Writer is an editor, coach, and freelance writer who wants to help others demolish their editing fears and finish their manuscript. As a former scuba instructor turned entrepreneur, Jeanette knows about putting in the hard work to pursue your passions. She has worked with authors, speakers, coaches, and entrepreneurs—empowering them with the right mindset, knowledge, and tools to help them tackle their editing goals. You can learn more about Jeanette by visiting JeanetteTheWriter.com. 

The post The Words That Shaped 2020 appeared first on DIY MFA.

The truth is, I am wary of any organization that makes hollow attempts at addressing inequity, and I refuse to let DIY MFA be the same. Rather than make vague promises about what we will do in the future, I believe in taking action first and being transparent with you about what we are already doing. Here is where we currently stand.

1) There were several hundred messages of support to that initial message. While I appreciate the love, I also recognize that the purpose of taking a stand is not about my own ego. The purpose was and continues to be amplifying black voices in this moment and, going forward, all marginalized voices. If you would like to express support, please do so by supporting black writers and buying their books.

2) There were a small handful of negative responses to that email. Some of those messages led to meaningful dialogue and even changes of heart. The few individuals who refused to have an open-hearted conversation and insisted on standing by their prejudice have been removed from our community. At DIY MFA we have a zero-tolerance policy for racist language or behavior. We encourage loving discussion on tough topics and even heated debate, but we will not allow racist or discriminatory language or behavior, and any individuals engaging in the above will be expelled from our community and programs. Full stop. End of story.

3) If I have learned anything through the past week of deep self-reflection, it is that I am not an expert on this. But saying “I didn’t know any better” is not an excuse for willful ignorance going forward. I am determined to learn and do better, and I will challenge my team to do the same. To that end, we are creating systems to make DIY MFA a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. These steps include (but will not be limited to) the following:

• I have invested in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training so as the leader of this company I may become more aware of my blind spots and can do better in the future. If I can’t use my platform to help make the world better, then what’s the point? I take this responsibility very seriously.
• My team and I are scrutinizing the overall picture DIY MFA presents in terms of diversity on our website, podcast, and summits. In the past, when listeners expressed concern about the podcast featuring a lot of white male authors, we took concrete steps to make the show more diverse and inclusive. But we refuse to rest on those laurels, especially now, and we will continue seeking out writers whose voices need to be amplified and featured in our programming.

I extend the deepest gratitude to everyone in this beautiful, resilient community. You have helped me open my mind, and you continue to challenge me to think beyond my assumptions. Your words and stories are precious to me and I am deeply grateful.

4) Some professional colleagues and collaborators have also shown their true colors through this historic moment. DIY MFA does not do business with individuals or entities that are discriminatory or racist. We have severed our ties with these organizations and influencers. We are also carefully scrutinizing our partnerships and collaborations now and going forward, to ensure that we are not aligning ourselves with individuals or companies that do not share our values. We are also actively seeking out partnerships that will amplify and expand the diversity of our community.

5) Some well-meaning folks have expressed concern that DIY MFA will become “too political” and that this community should remain a “safe space” where we discuss only writing-related topics. To this my answer is simple—this group cannot be a safe space for writers of color if we continue to ignore the effect racism has on their experience. As hashtags like #PublishingPaidMe have demonstrated, there is a deep-seated inequity in how the publishing industry treats writers of color. The pay gap is very real. The opportunity gap is very real. If we as a writing community cannot discuss these topics openly, then we are only perpetuating an unjust system. 

The reality is that writing is itself a political act. 

Free speech is protected by the First Amendment, and how we choose to use (or not use) the power of our words is in and of itself a political choice. While the purpose of this group is to discuss writing and issues relevant to writers, we must also recognize that racism, prejudice, and discrimination are woven into the daily experience of BIPOC writers. We cannot as a community turn a blind eye. I will not allow it.

This is not going to be comfortable. 

In fact, if it is comfortable, then we are not challenging ourselves enough. Some members of this community are not going to like it and they will leave. To that, I say “They were never really word nerds anyway.” Other community members might try to derail thoughtful, heartfelt conversations in this group. This behavior is a form of racism and is grounds for expulsion.

This is where I stand as a human. This is where DIY MFA stands as a company. My heart is heavy for all the members of this community who are hurting or who have suffered. I am listening and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn.

Gabriela Pereira is an author, speaker, entrepreneur and the founder of DIY MFA.

Please note: We are disabling comments for this post. Here’s why. We appreciate all the love and support we received from our community when this message first went out via email. At the same time, we are also keenly aware that this is not about us. If you’d like to show support for what has been said here, do it by purchasing a book by one of the wonderful authors listed above. Our goal is to keep this post focused on what it’s really about: amplifying black voices. If you have something you need to say, reach out to support@DIYMFA.com.

The post Where We Stand as a Community appeared first on DIY MFA.

For the past week, I have watched with outrage and horror at the events that have taken place. The murder of an innocent black man, the violence and aggression toward peaceful protesters, and the perpetual lack of initiative and empathy from many of our leaders during this time of extreme crisis.

I don’t often bring up politics at DIY MFA, but writing is in and of itself a political act and to proceed as though it were “business as usual” would be a slap in the face of the black writers in this community. If this subject makes you uncomfortable… good. It should. It makes me uncomfortable, too. But our comfort is not the point. Growth cannot happen in a state of complacency.

As writers, we have a responsibility to use our words for the power of good. Every time I take up the pen, I must grapple with a painful truth: while my voice is being heard, there are many black writers whose voices have been silenced for far too long. As the leader of this community, it is (quite literally) my job to make sure that those voices are amplified. I do not take this responsibility lightly.

Right now, you’ve probably received dozens of emails from businesses or influencers telling you all the wonderful things they’re doing to “be better” during these troubled times. For several days, I watched quietly, not sure what to do or say. Frankly, it seemed like whatever I did or said would not begin to be enough.

I’ll admit I’ve been going down that internet rabbit hole a lot lately, trying to figure out the right thing to do. All I’ve found is conflicting advice. One article says white folks should shut up and listen, while another says to stop making black people explain themselves. On social media, some accounts are posting blackout squares and muting themselves for a week. Others are posting quotes about how silence is a form of complicity.

As I tossed and turned last night, a thought popped into my head: “No matter what I do, I can’t win. Someone will always find fault.”

And that’s when it hit me.

For black people, “I can’t win” is the status quo. It’s the reality they have lived with for their entire lives. It has been their reality for hundreds of years, and the way things are going this reality isn’t about to change any time soon. Whether or not I get to “win” is irrelevant.

This morning, I had a very different email ready to go out with exciting announcements I was dying to share with you. Obviously, that email will have to wait. Right now, what matters is that people are hurting, and I and DIY MFA are committed to serving our word nerds the best that we can. At the moment, we are especially focused on helping to amplify the voices of black writers.

To that end, as part of our Writer Igniter Summit, I have decided we will also be unlocking past summit interviews with black authors and these interviews will remain open throughout the entire upcoming summit. These interviews are open right now and will continue to be so until June 22nd at 12pm ET, when the final summit interview will close. We are doing this in order to amplify these authors’ voices and make their words and insights as widely accessible as possible.

These authors are amazing. Please listen as they share their thoughts about writing, and if their books speak to you, buy a copy!

Listen to these interviews here:

• Patrice Gopo talks about personal essay vs. memoir.
• Aliza Mann shares insights on how to plot a romance from beginning to end.
• Juno Rushdan gives us an inside look at crafting romantic thrillers. 

In addition, we also want to take a moment to highlight the talented and inspiring black authors who have appeared on DIY MFA Radio. Please listen to the interviews to get their insights about books and writing, and buy their books. These are truly wonderful books from many different genres, and there’s something on this list for every reader. 

165: Weaving Fiction from Reality — Interview with Zinzi Clemmons (Literary Fiction)

177: Narration and Voice — Interview with Ayobami Adebayo (Literary Fiction)

187: A Book with a Purpose — Interview with Eucabeth Odhiambo (Middle Grade Fiction)

210: Showing the Diversity within Diversity — Interview with Tami Charles (Young Adult Fiction)

242: Challenging the Status Quo — Interview with Anita Sarkeesian and Ebony Adams (Young Adult Nonfiction)

251: Finding Your Why — Interview with Patrice Gopo (Essay Collection)

269: Writing Speculative Fiction — Interview with Cadwell Turnbull (Speculative Fiction)

277: How to Make Your Setting Come to Life – Interview with Brenda Jackson (Romance)

287: Character Dynamics in an In-Depth Scene Analysis — Interview with Kiley Reid (Upmarket Fiction)

288: Find Your Community — Interview with Janae Marks (Contemporary Middle Grade)

296: Fairy Tales, Vernacular, and the Art of Storytelling — Interview with Curdella Forbes (Literary Fiction with elements of magical realism)

298: Character-Driven YA and Middle Grade — Interview with Brandy Colbert (Middle Grade and YA)

302: Building a Pop Poetry Empire — Interview with Jade Dee and Wilnona Marie (Poetry)

I can’t begin to pretend to understand the pain and anger that many members of this community must be feeling right now. My team and I will continue to do our utmost to live up to our core values of service, responsibility, and love by amplifying diverse voices on the DIY MFA website and podcast. If there are underrepresented authors we need to feature, please email us and let us know. If there are organizations we should partner with or resources we should support, please email us and let us know.

Sending you loads of literary love,

Gabriela Pereira is an author, speaker, entrepreneur and the founder of DIY MFA.

Please note: We are disabling comments for this post. Here’s why. We appreciate all the love and support we received from our community when this message first went out via email. At the same time, we are also keenly aware that this is not about us. If you’d like to show support for what has been said here, do it by purchasing a book by one of the wonderful authors listed above. Our goal is to keep this post focused on what it’s really about: amplifying black voices. If you have something you need to say, reach out to support@DIYMFA.com.

The post This Needs to Be Said appeared first on DIY MFA.