We are "naked and not ashamed"(Genesis 2:25), coming together to share our journeys in the spirit of transparency, accountability, and encouragement to all writers, whether published or aspiring. Join us in our moments of truth.
Hey #JustWrite! For those who are reading, as some of you know, since last month many are still recovering from the damage of Hurricane Helene after the most recent Hurricane Milton, while many of us are still dealing with confusion and outrage regarding the BioLab chemical fire which has affected residents physically in nearby counties. On a personal note, my family experienced an unexpected tragedy with the death of a beloved son, father, and friend. My cousin's death shook our community as many wondered including myself what could have prevented his untimely death, which occurred October 8th two days prior to World Mental Health Day (observed on October 10th). Today he would have been 34. I witnessed many on social media make posts about starting support groups in our hometown and there was a clarion call for men to not be ashamed to open up regarding their struggles. In those moments, a flood of emotions hit me: sadness, anger, shock, etc. Those emotions lingered the last few days as my mind went back to so many others whose demise was similar and the world just seemed to go on with life as usual. I began to question if support systems would be in place to share resources and preventative measures. It is my hope that my disbelief will be proven wrong.
As writers and as individuals, it's important that in the midst of competing priorities with book projects, concepts, brainstorming sessions, that we know there are support systems in place to help. As we have come upon 10 years, Just Write exists to be that support system for aspiring and veteran writers. We understand the nuances and challenges of creating content, knowing our audience, using our voice, publishing books, and understanding our assignments. We welcome you with open arms with the understanding and assurance that the WORD will be displayed in our actions and that your words count.
In closing, as we move into the holiday season in a few months, mental health awareness and necessary resources are important. In October 2021, we discussed the importance of self-care, particularly within the Black community. Below is an interview with Dr. Rheeda Walker, author of "The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health."
Remember, you matter, your mental health matters, and your stories matter.
