The Writers’ Block Podcast

“Black people need witnesses in a world that thinks everything is White.” -James Baldwin

The work of the writer can be thankless…but we do it anyway.

There is a White woman on TikTok who believes the LORD told her to “sanctify” Iniko’s song Jericho—to make it sound more Christian and less “demonic.” Where have I/We/Us heard that before?

The most glorious moment in fiction writing is when the characters take over. The scariest thing is fiction writing is when the characters take over! For this episode, we’ll examine how great this is…and how scary that just might be.

Whew! And just like that then month of September is hours from being over. Let’s take time to reflect on September, which is BACK TO WRITING MONTH, and the proceeding 9. Onward to 2024!

At the time of this recording, recording artists/rapper/emcee/aka ESCO, NAS has released his 6th album in 3 years. For this episode, we are going to explore just how powerful (and needed) creative energy is. Note: listen to the end of this episode for a special announcement for February 2024 (Accounts to follow: IG: @authorjbharris, TT: @whatjayesaid2.0, Podcast: WHATJAYESAID: THE PODCAST). Note: The HAPPY BIRTHDAY HIP-HOP Series Is on I BREATHE FIRE (http://jenniferharrisbreathesfire.wordpress.com).

VENGEANCE IS THE BODY is available on Amazon/Kindle. This reading was done on Saturday, September 23, 2023.

There will never be a time where the artist is not needed! And for the cards, for this noble guild, we do what we must. Artist are truth, tellers, soothsayers, and a type of magician. It is through our work, and weaving, for the force of our own imaginations, that we prove to the world that we are more alike than we are different. For what can experience, Grant, they may be uncommon to another man? Whether that be the exposure of hatred, the need of love, the need of peace and safety… Artists will always be needed. Works referenced: THE YEAR OF YES by Shonda Rhimes. THE STRUGGLE OF THE ARTIST (1969) by James Baldwin. Link: https://youtu.be/rGwPv7rm3l4?si=jR9hhFYbv5NAVG52

The Black writers who shaped my life, who I quote and study—are either aging or dead. When Yolande Cornelia Giovanni, Jr. (Nikki Giovanni) turned 80 this past June, this was driven home to me. My Foremothers…are leaving. Leaving! Where do we go from here?

Sometimes you have to encourage yourself and other people. In listening to BlackFluidPoet (podcast is the same name—listen to the episode titled “THE FOREST”), I want to answer the question of “Who is even listening?” The answer is this: the people who need to hear. Artists are a different type of healer…and we are more needed just like medicine…