Black Writer Therapy Podcast

Title: Spirit, Resilience, and the Art of Writing

Description: In this session of Black Writer Therapy, Ella has Ms. Suzette D. Harrison on the therapist's couch. They discuss the innate Southernism that resides in Black folk, finding and owning your writing voice, and opening self to spirit to be a conduit for healing through writing. This episode is a must-listen for Black historical fiction readers who crave insightful discussions with their favorite authors, covering topics ranging from writing process to navigating the complexities of life as Black women in the literary world. Tune in for an empowering and inspiring conversation that will leave you uplifted and motivated to own your voice as a writer.

Guest: Suzette D. Harrison is an award-winning author Suzette D. Harrison grew up in a home where reading was required, not requested. Turning her love of reading into a rising literary career, Suzette was first published when her poetry was included in a creative journal in junior high school. While she loves happy endings, Harrison’s work is dedicated to characters who are flawed yet resilient and open to redemption. She loves crafting storylines with intricate layers and depth, often leaving readers with unexpected plot twists. Her writing has been described as “lyrical” and “riveting.” Paying homage to Alex Haley, Gloria Naylor, Alice Walker, Langston Hughes, and Toni Morrison as literary legends who inspired her creativity, Suzette emphatically states that it was Dr. Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings that unleashed her writing. Literally. This bestselling author holds a culinary degree in Pastry & Baking and is busy cooking up her next novel...in between batches of cookies.

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Segment 1: Intentional Writing (The Healing Process of Writing)

• Writing with the blood, bone, and kinship of Southern Black
• Discussion: Learning the center of the writer self--African-American historical fiction
• Conduit work--ancestors pouring through the writer to enact healing
• Writing with the white gaze and how to get rid of it
• Trust your pen and write what sets your soul on fire.

Segment 2: The Audacity of Black Women Writers

• Topic: Finding success in a white-centered industry
• Discussion--not giving way to the pressures of the publishing industry or society. Understanding the writer's voice.
• Rise early
• Set intentions
• Honor the true writer's voice
• Life, Liberty, and the Freedom of Being an Unapologetic Black Woman Writer
• Writing with the blood, the bone, the roots

Segment 3: Tell the Whole STORY

• Topic: Game
• Discussion: Guests are given words beginning with the letters in the word, STORY, and they share quick anecdotal personal stories.

Recommendations:

https://www.ivisd.org/