by Lauren Brown Jarvis

Black Writers Reunion & Conference has changed my life.

At present there is no information out about next year’s conference which is scheduled to be held in Las Vegas, however, I plan to be super-involved. I went to the conference after finding out about it from my longtime friend Detra Hicks. Her friend Tia Ross was the event coordinator, and it was more than I could have ever expected.

When Detra told me about the conference, I went online and looked at the classes being offered and got excited about the information I would receive and how it could possibly be an asset to my budding writing career. I did not even consider the people I would meet and what effect they would have on me. What everyone’s dream is–to do exactly what they love for a living–I’m beyond ready to make that transition. Especially when I review all of my personal talents and gifts and see I’m not even using them. That’s the only and most ultimate sin: not using your personal talents–whatever it is you are good at–for your own good.

So many of us are doing things we hate to get by. And that’s bullshit. I know a lot of it is fear, a lot of it is fear, and a lot of it is fear. Fear of failure, fear of being broke, fear of rejection. But fear is exactly what it is. An inhibitor. So if you think that you could possibly be doing more with your life, you are probably right, but if you have one reason, or another why you are not doing what it is you truly love, it’s only because of you, and the fear you are allowing to hold you not even back, but in the same place, which is where you will always be.

The first conference panel I participated in was How to Start Your Own Business–but for the artist. I think this is what kills a lot of creative folk. They know what they want to do, but they don’t have a bit of business acumen, and instead of seeking out those who know more, they just move forward blindly. Not a good idea. Businesses get all kinds of tax breaks. Next I took Word Tricks for Word Artists. Awesome class, I just really wish Tia Ross, who was the presenter and also, conference chair, had gone even more in-depth. She said she may do a screenplay formatting seminar next time, and I believe that too would be well worth it. Microsoft Word has some seriously helpful functions, and I know most of us don’t even try to use them. It’s so much “easier” to do the formatting yourself. Not true.

A technical writing panel I participated in was the unforeseen gem of the day. I’m a writer, I need to be getting all writing monies, and my mom had long suggested I take a tech writing course. I never knew what it was, so I wasn’t interested. It’s so technical it’s easy. The instructor Michelle Chester was funny, and more importantly so expertly on point with the way she taught the class and her teaching tools. She gave each of us a full packet that would instantly launch us into “what” technical writing is. Essentially it requires the writer to teach an end user how to do something. Anyone who knows me knows my mind turns like a clock. Anything technical I love because it always makes sense. So I think I have tapped into an awesome new stream of income.

By far the best lecture was by William R. Patterson, a Chicago native turned best-selling book author. His book, The Baron Son, has been published in over 25 languages, and he spoke on the 11 tips for Writing Effective Promotional Copy. His presentation, and the amount of practical marketing and advertising info he gave alone made this part of the conference worth the money. He is also edited by someone I hope will become my book editor, the very beautiful N. Kali Mincy who is a professional writing coach.

Lastly, I took S.P.E.AK., Sensational, Powerful, Engaging, Authoritative Keys to Public Presentation. Presenter Patricia Haley has an amazing stage presence and really has a command for public speaking–not to mention great taste in shoes. Public speaking is not easy because all eyes are on you. She talked about practical ways to lose the fear and communicate a clear and effective speech.

The highlight of the day by far was Dr. Anita Heiss, and Associate Research Fellow at The University of Queesnland and Flinders University. Who knew native Australians went through a period in their country where “Black Fellows” the common name for people of color in Austrailia, had freedom rides, sit-ins,and marches, spurred on by the United States Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s. They too had to fight segregation in Australia, but not with the scars of slavery and Jim Crowism attached but hundreds of years of the erosion of their native lands and culture, but European colonialists, who decided to make Australia a penal colony, displacing thousands of Australian first peoples and then barring them from local swimming pools, restaurants, and pubs.

Dr. Heiss spoke at great length about the struggle and disparity that Native Australians have experienced as a result of the invasion of their lands by settlers. She also highlighted a new cropping of literature written by native Australians, that narrates their experience in first person instead of third. I am really excited to delve in these works. Visit Black Words to engage in works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Writers and Story Tellers, and get the real Australian perspective.

Conference Chairwoman Tia Ross, myself-Lauren Brown Jarvis, and Dr. Anita Heiss, Associate Research Fellow at the University of Queensland and Flinders University