LaConnie Taylor-Jones

Imagine the struggles of those early pioneers in African American literature. Whether they penned fiction or non-fiction, the manuscripts they’d poured their heart and soul into was ready for the world to read. The only way this would happen was through publication. Led by courage and on the wings of faith, they strolled proudly toward the literary door. Many knocked long and hard, while others no doubt had to kick. Finally, entrance was granted. Fast forward to now. Every African American writer whether self-published or under contract with a traditional publisher should remember the struggle in celebration, not complacency. Although African American authors have come a long way, we still have a long way to go.

Until 2003, my link to the literary world was that of reader. However, in 2007, after the publication of my debut novel, When I’m With You, I see things from an entirely different perspective. While the struggles from yesteryear may have lessened, African American authors are still faced with challenges, nonetheless.

My last statement doesn’t come from what someone told me, but from personal experience. Three and a half years ago when I knocked on those same doors, I stood firm in the belief that the story burning deep in my spirit was worthy of publication. The most defining moment on my literary journey came when someone behind the desk said, “We don’t think readers would be interested in reading this story.” Okay, another rejection, which I was use to by now. Thankfully, I was able to ask why not and got an answer. “Well, it touches on issues black readers aren’t used to reading.” Whoa Nellie!! Yes, folks, that’s when I discovered that stories written by African American authors are categorized and scrutinized to a large degree based on profitability. But for me, the deeper implication was that either Black folks won’t read outside of what has already been published or they don’t read, period.

Sorry to disappoint you America, but Black folks read!! While African Americans make-up only 13 % of the total U.S. population their buying power is incredibly strong. Annually, nearly three hundred million of our dollars are spent on books. That single incident coupled with trying to find an editor who didn’t view the story through “colored glasses” made me even more determined to continue on the path of getting my story on store shelves.

Today, African American authors enjoy the benefit of better advances and royalties (although there still isn’t parity with white writers), savvy marketing plans, and effective book tours. Despite all of this, challenges remain. While I can’t speak for others, I’m resolved to continue the struggle of those who came before me. After all, our forefathers endured immense suffering and many died just for the chance to learn how to read. And authors before me were deprived of the opportunities I now enjoy. I owe them that much.

But how? Thanks for asking!

I must embrace the commitment and preparation needed to continually do the one thing that will keep me in the published world—write the stories of the heart. Of all the challenges I face as an author who happens to be African American, coupled with all the other components that shape the literary world; this is the only element I have complete autonomy over.

Okay, I realize I’m twenty-one days early, but it’s never too early for this topic to come up on the radar screen. Think about it, at the start of each New Year, we sit down with pencil and paper in front of us, gung ho to come up with a laundry list of resolutions. Oftentimes, before the thirty-one days in the month of January are over, our resolutions are forgotten and blowing two winds south of the Bermuda Triangle.

Well, my New Year’s resolution is not to come up with any resolutions especially when it some to my career as an author. Time out for the meaningless promises to writing X number of pages a day or Y number of chapters per week. Authors, it’s time for us to get serious, if we’re going to sustain our careers. The launch parties are over. The giddiness that bubbled inside of us when we held our debut novels in our hands for the first time is gone. We’ve made too many investments and sacrifices to get to where we are to turn back now.

So, this year instead of writing resolutions, I’ve opted to set writing goals. I discovered ‘SMART’, a goal setting technique in my profession a few years back. I plan to implement it to achieve my literary goals.

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely

Now tell me, what are your literary goals for the New Year?

Until next time – stay well and be blessed!

Yep, there are four two-legged humans residing in my house. And I’ll answer the question before you ask. Yes, I was insane. A surge of maternal hormones overruled what little intelligence I possessed. While most Americans had the good sense to stop at two-point five kids, I felt it was my patriotic duty to contribute to the national average.

No, seriously, my four munchkins are my greatest accomplishment and most cherished asset. In a lot of ways, I’ve learned as much from them, as hopefully, they’re learning from me. There weren’t any books to purchase or courses I could enroll in that could truly prepare me for the role of parenthood. All I had was the desire to become the best doggone parent possible. My job is to provide my children with guidance, wisdom, and unconditional love, so that they can one day become independent, and survive in this world. So, with four distinct personalities to manage, I find that my parental beliefs never change, but the way I parent each child does.

Of my three boys, my youngest is the most sensitive. I’m always careful to maintain a calm, steady voice with him, unless I want a flood of tears to follow. On the other hand, that nine-year old she-devil, masquerading as my daughter can work my last good nerve. On more than one occasion, I’ve contemplated running away from home. The other two fall somewhere in between.

My leap into the literary arena was much like my jump into parenthood. I had zero writing talent, but a deep rooted passion for the romance genre. My desire was simple: write the best story possible. And I find that my approach to writing is similar to the way I parent. Each of my stories is different as well as the characters. In a lot of ways, I’m the parent to my stories. After all, I birthed them and my job is to nurture, give complete and undivided attention, and work to ensure they mature so they can one day leave the nest to find a new home called a bookshelf.

Yesterday, I got the revisions for my upcoming release from my editor. She’s a wonderful editor and has challenged me to make a good story better. Folks, I’ve got some work to do! After reading her comments, I was drained and stressed to the max. I shut off the computer for an extend break and said to myself, “I can’t do this!” Then, I thought back on the day my first child was born. As soon as the nurse wheeled him inside my room, I heard a soft grunt. His face was twisted slightly and his shoulders hunched a bit. He was in the middle of his first poop. Panic set in big time because I’d never changed a diaper in my life! When he finished, he looked at me like, “Well, Mom.” Maternal instinct took over. Even though he ended up with a crooked Pamper, his bottom was clean and dry, and I hadn’t been transferred to the psych ward. We made it through, together.

After reminiscing on that event, I decided my revisions were similar to my crooked diaper experience. My story needs me to get it from infancy to adulthood.

I’m the parenting author.