The Month of July So Far.....

As we approach a little beyond the midway point of the month, things are looking VERY unsettled.  Coronavirus numbers are starting to climb back up, and states are starting to re-institute restrictions to protect the populace...or, at least to cover their collective asses, for their potential reelection bids.

Oh, yeah...and my book sales ain't been shit.  Yeah...I had to throw that in there, somewhere.

If you're on YouTube, and have an account with them, I've just uploaded the latest episode of "The Rough Draft"; Episode #15.  I won't be posting the link here, as I don't think that it ever helps, or matters.  Subscribe to my channel if you can, and LEAVE A COMMENT!!!  It would be nice to actually get some feedback from people who 'claim' to be my supporters.  I feel like a little kid who gets brushed off, just because he's a little kid, or being annoying.  Just give me SOME sort of feedback!!

Working on my latest manuscript.  Decided to convert my screenplay "Knuckle Up" into my next book.  I'm going through round THREE of editing, so far.  If things keep going at this rate, I'm hoping to have completed editing by the end of the year, and have the book ready for publication in 2021.  I've got few ideas about how I want the cover to look.  I'm excited about this project, as it is one of my favorite scripts.  I'll keep you guys updated on my progress with that project....

The day job front is stagnant.  My state is stuck in 'Phase 2' for the time being, until our COVID-19 numbers go down in the state.  I haven't heard from my boss on when we're supposed to go back to work.  I kinda don't mind, but I just really hate staying at home.  I just can't believe that some people actually live like this, for most of their lives; just staying at home, waiting for a check.  Couldn't be me.  Good thing that I've got my writing career to work on.  At least it gives me something to do, and gives me purpose.

Kinda looking forward to next month.  It's "Black August", for those of us revolutionaries out there.  Personally for me, it marks 1 whole year since I started producing "The Rough Draft".  I might decide to have an episode doing a recap of what I've posted within that year.  Actually...I'd rather do an 'Ask-The-Author' segment, where my fans get to ask me questions, and I get to answer their questions in the video.  I'll let you know what I'm planning...

That's about all for now.  I'll keep you guys updated on my progress.  Hopefully, things will improve, and will get somewhat back to normal.  Stay safe, peoples!!!

Keep the fist raised.

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind

Mid-Month Stride.....

Wow.....the month is already half over.  Where has the time gone.....?

Father's Day has recently passed.  I hope that all of the fathers out there that have been holding it down get the proper respect that they deserve.  No disrespect to the sisters out there that are holding it down, handling both positions, but don't disregard the men that are doing what they're supposed to do, and are holding it down, as well.  You also have single fathers out there that are holding down both roles, as well.  Don't down one gender, just to lift up the other.

Today is the last day of Juneteenth.  Me personally, I 'celebrate' the cultural event from the 16th to the 19th.  Most people, if they even celebrate the event, only celebrate it on the 19th, and that's it.  I think we need to look at the entire scope of what this event stands for, and give it its proper observance.  But...that's just me...

"The Chronicles of The Black Fist: F.U.R.I. of the People" (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2019) celebrates its 6th month of existence, this month.  It's available in both paperback AND eBook formats.  Still struggling to make sales off of it.  Still considering doing a reading for it; I just need to find the proper venue for it, and a date when I can get it done.  Juggling the new day job kinda complicates that.  I'm not complaining; at least I'm getting some money in my pockets, now...

Still working on getting an episode of "The Rough Draft" done.  I might just do a cheapo version of it, and post it here on the blog, and to Youtube.  As long as I get it done, and stop trying to be so anal about it.  It's just my Communications college major background kicking in.  I know how to do this shit professionally, and don't want to do some busted ass production, and put my name behind it.  Then again, I've seen some terrible videos posted on YT, and they have thousands of viewers.  Go figure for quality....

I think that I'm finally over my writer's block.  Did some editing for "Time Will Reveal" (2020), and I'm adding more content to "Walk Like A Warrior" (2021??), yet another literary project that I have.  I still need to create the cover for TWR, but at least I have the basic concept in my head.  Plus, I have time before publication; I'm not planning on publishing it until next year.  I haven't touched "Suicide Amy" (2022???) yet, though I'm still editing that one.  Not to mention, I'm still working on the other two sequels to The Black Fist book saga.  So many stories, so little time...

The day job is going well.  Can't really complain.  I'm getting along with my co-workers, and they seem to respect my work ethic.  And yes, I do find a few of my co-workers VERY attractive  ;-).  Not looking to hook up with anybody at my job, buuuuuuuuuut......if somebody spits game at me, I'm going for mine!!!  :-)

That's all for now.  Hoping to have even more news for you with my next entry.  Hopefully, I can finish out this month with a few more blog posts...hopefully with an episode of "The Rough Draft".  You'll be able to see and hear wtf I look like, lol, lol, lol. 

Keep the fist raised. 

Anniversary of My Return

Today marks the 2-year anniversary of my return to New York.  It's been a bittersweet experience to say the least.  It's been two years since I made the decision to return back to my home town, and pursue my career as an author full-time.  I honestly DON'T regret that decision, despite the ups and MANY downs that I've gone through over the past two years.  I like my freedom to pursue my passion, and achieve my dreams.  I've always wanted to live off of my creative talents, and I'm doing just that.

It was ten years ago that I packed up, and moved out of NYC.  I needed a break.  I wasn't struggling, I wasn't surviving.....I just existed.  I got up...went to my crummy job...busted my ass at work...came home, and crashed.  That's no life to live.  I wasn't pursuing my dream of working in film and television, nor was I happy about the state of activism in the city at that time.  I saw the handwriting on the wall, and just said, "PEACE OUT!!!"  I don't regret leaving; I seriously needed that change at that point in my life.  I was able to achieve a lot on my own, and outside of NYC.  I doubt that I would've reached any of the goals that I've reached since my departure, nor would I have accomplished what I have as an activist or writer, had I stayed in NYC.

I left 10 years ago to better myself.  I'm considering leaving again.  I'll most likely go back to the Mid Atlantic; it's strategically convenient as far as my plans as a writer are concerned.  I have a good number of connections in that region, and it's still accessible to New York.  I may not want to live here anymore, but the city (and state for that matter) has a lot of resources.  Hopefully, I can be out of here, and relocate by the late summer/fall.

So, here's to my anniversary.  Here's to better things to come down the pipeline.  May I continue to grow, and my career take the positive path that I intended for it.  Please continue to support me, and I look forward to continuing to inspire, and impress.

Uhuru sase, y paz.  Keep the fist raised.

Cinematically Speaking.....

My first love is film and television.  That was my goal in the beginning as a writer; to write, produce, and direct my own productions.  I wanted to be like the Glen Larsons, and the Aaron Spellings, Donald Bellisarios, Stephen J. Cannells, and other super producers of the world.  Of course, I wanted to represent for our people, and have our voices be heard.  I wanted to do both; television and film.  You could seemlessly transfer from one field/genre to the other; spinning off a television show into a movie franchise, or vice versa.  To this day, I still have a slew of scripts that I've written that I want to eventually produce.  My entry into authorship is just a side route to get to where I really want to get to.

I had written an entry about forming an independent digital channel.  This is one of many ways for us to get our voices heard, and our stories seen.  Since we're not at that level yet, the next best thing that can be done is to support independent Black film festivals.  You don't know HOW many times I've heard people complain about the state of Black films, and bemoan the atrocities that hit the silver screen.  I always end up asking the question, "Well, do you ever support any Black Film Festivals?", and hear nothing but crickets after I pose that question.

I've been lucky enough to volunteer for a few film festivals in my time, mostly in New York.  It has recently come to my attention that a few of those film festival organizations have combined forces, and have created a distribution network called the African American Film Festival Releasing Movement, or AFFRM for short.  They help for independently produced (Black)films to receive distribution with limited releases in local theaters in major cities.  They also help these films to be distributed through dvd releases.  At this time, they are releasing films quarterly throughout the year (about four times a year), one film for each quarter.  The films that they have currently released are very diverse in story and plot.

It fills me with hope when we finally decide to take control of our destiny, and create our own institutions to benefit us.  This is something that we need to do more of, and also to go out and support these institutions so that they may remain strong and vital.  If you get the opportunity, PLEASE go to their website and support, not only these films, but also this organization.

www.affrm.com