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Getting Started |
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Begin by brainstorming topics, collecting information, taking a lot of notes,
and asking a lot of questions. Focus on MoAD's four themes: origins, movement,
adaptation, and transformation. How does your story relate to these themes?
Keep your notes and sources organized as you go.
As is true of the African griot oral tradition, most truly compelling stories
are told before they are ever written. They are told over and over again. As
the teller, it is your job to inform, entertain, and pass on the cultural parables
or insight that each story possesses. When developing your topic, look for
patterns and relationships. See what conclusions you can draw. Make sure you
discuss your ideas or story with people who may have similar stories and backgrounds.
A new perspective can help shake up your thinking, and keep your momentum going.
If you're writing a first-person narrative which recounts a dramatic episode
or event related to the African Diaspora, approach the story as if youre telling
it for the very first time to millions of readers (because you are). Use a
tape recorder to interview story subjects. Provide related primary research,
including geographical or statistical facts if necessary. Ask yourself, "What
can others learn about the African Diaspora from my story?"
You may find as you write that you end up with a different idea than the one
you began with. If your first choice for a story doesn't hold water, be open
to changing it. If necessary, re-write your outline to get yourself back on
track. The secret to good writing is re-writing. Use the rough draft as your
opportunity to play with how you depict scenes, stir emotion, deliver facts,
or question common notions about the African Diaspora.
You may find that once you get your story down on paper, it can lead you to
deeper investigation of your subject. Remember, writing stories is always about
at least two things: (1) what happened and (2) how characters react to what
happened. During the early draft stage, it is important to outline exactly
what happened in your story, scene by scene, event by event, and word by word.
Being so precise, so specific, will help you discover the emotion and spirit
of your story in later revisions. What's the secret to good first drafts? Keep
your eyes open and hold on, because you never know how far down the rabbit
hole a story will lead you.
Other important writing tips:
- Keep your audience in mind
- Get acquainted with the people, places, and stories of the African Diaspora
- Refine, Fact-check, and Proofread your story before submitting it
After you finish writing, take a break before re-reading it. Then, ask yourself:
- Is the writing clear?
- Is the story memorable and compelling?
- Why is it important that I share this story with the world?
- Have I used proper grammar and spelling?
- How does it sound read out loud?
After answering these questions, write a second, then third draft, if necessary.
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