Instead of reflecting upon the past year as we near its conclusion, I'm looking ahead in this final blog of 2024. While I acknowledge that my last New Year's resolution to expand my writing community was successful, I hope to expand my social media presence in 2025. You may question whether our current political environment is the appropriate time given the plethora of "haters" out there; however, my motivation largely stems from the emergence of an alternative to Twitter/X, FB, Instagram, etc.
About a year ago, I closed my Twitter/X account and switched to Instagram. I understood Instagram to be image driven and that I'd need to put in a lot of effort to build a community dedicated to writing. But with all the projects I've undertaken this year, I've not had time to do so. Then I read posts on the Authors Guild (AG) forum about Bluesky, touted as promoting friendly community groups of like-minded individuals ("starter packs"). So, I investigated. Not long thereafter, I opened a Bluesky account before Bluesky turned into the popular platform it has rapidly become. Immediately, I felt the warmth.
The most reclusive among us might find Bluesky's socialization and camaraderie beneficial. Not only do I share my achievements and accolades with other accomplished writers, but I enjoy reading posts about their cherished fur babies, gardening, cooking, and more. This humanization is available through Instagram, but the field of followers can be tailored with Bluesky. I've received more followers with minimum effort in the first few days of membership than I received in one year on Instagram.
2025 is not all about social media presence. I'm diligently at work on a few projects, including another collaborative effort with an award-winning choreographer that is much larger than the collaboration I participated in earlier this year. As for my latest accomplishments, if you go to my "Books" page, you'll see that I won a top-10 finalist spot in a Halloween themed anthology contest. My poem "The Clock Tower" is one of 60 entries culled from hundreds of international submissions that made the publication (Midnight Masquerade). In addition, my poem "A Black Man's Eulogy" was published in Decolonial Passage. And my essays were published in Dreamers Creative Writing and The Sun.
I also want to enhance the look of this blog by incorporating an inspirational image with each monthly post, an idea generated by a fellow AG member who recently shared her website home page with the membership. That is how community works!
May you fulfill your aspirations and dream big for 2025. And may you find a safe and welcoming community in which to do so. Cheers!