Kern Carter's Blog, page 159
January 14, 2020
January 13, 2020
Call for submissions — tell me a time you faced your fears and won
As writers and creatives, we’re constantly putting ourselves out there through our art. I know for me, this wasn’t always easy. It takes a lot to write some of the more vulnerable posts that I share on this platform.
That said, what are some of your fears? It can be aligned to your creativity or it can be more general fears you face in life. How did you overcome your fear or what steps did you take to get passed it?
The rulesIf you’re already a writer for CRY, go ahead and submit.If you’re not a writer for CRY, reply to this message or comment in this thread and I’ll add you as a writer.Looking forward to reading your submissions. Let’s start the year on a positive vibe!
CRY
PREVIOUS LETTERSLook out for writers from IndiaLimitations are not a bad thing for writersMore writers need to use Artery
Call for submissions — tell me a time you faced your fears and won was originally published in C.R.Y on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
January 12, 2020
January 8, 2020
January 6, 2020
Limitations are not a bad thing writers
I know the thought of complete creative freedom sounds like bliss, but creating parameters for your writing isn’t a bad thing. It’s a way to focus your energy so you can better predict your output.
So what do I mean by parameters? If you’re writing a novel, an outline is a good example. While some authors may look at an outline as something that restricts their freedom and spontaneity, I’d argue the opposite.
Creating an outline provides the borders you need to operate. Establishing those borders is important because it helps focus the direction of your story. And when you’re writing a story you hope others will read and enjoy, the story needs to be clear, it needs to be concise and the reader needs to get it. Those outcomes become more difficult if you’re creating without the foundation that an outline provides.
It’s also important to remember that establishing parameters doesn’t mean you always need to operate within them. Sticking with the outline example, once you establish a foundation for the direction of your story, you’re free to colour outside the lines. The benefit is that you’ll know you’re colouring outside the lines. And knowing this helps you better control and predict plot, character development and the overall tone of your story.
CRY
MORE FROM CRYHave you read my novella Thoughts of a Fractured Soul? If you haven’t, here’s a short description:
Corey is reflecting on his life as a teenager who has just had his first child. He relives his story through a series of fragmented memories, pieces of sporadic thought capturing moments of his life as he tries to care for his family. But Corey is failing, and as he continues to struggle he realizes how easily the world can fracture his ambitions and force him to settle for a life of mediocrity. Thoughts of a Fractured Soul pushes the reader to piece together these fragments themselves, and decide on what part of Corey’s conflicting tale can be trusted.
Limitations are not a bad thing writers was originally published in C.R.Y on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
December 31, 2019
Why is everyone so mad at Rupi Kaur?
The New Republic named Rupi Kaur writer of the decade. While some people were supportive of this, many people across social media were a bit put off. OK, some people were actually pissed off.
But I don’t get it. If a fellow writer, a poet at that, has made herself popular enough to be placed into that category, shouldn’t we be celebrating? All of us know the struggle to be heard. Well Rupi has been heard by millions of readers around the world. We should be proud.
Scanning through the comments, it seems like the simplicity of her poems is what’s causing the backlash. That somehow the depth of her words aren’t nuanced enough to be considered “real” poetry.
I hope that’s not what we’re doing, guys. If someone is touched by her words, however simple or complicated those words are, then mission accomplished. Her label as an “Instagram Poet,” a term meant to demean her accomplishments, should actually be revered. She is smart enough to meet readers where they are and do so in a way they can relate.
Regardless, those are my thoughts. Would love to know what you think.
CRY
MORE FROM CRYHave you read my novella Thoughts of a Fractured Soul? If you haven’t, here’s a short description:
Corey is reflecting on his life as a teenager who has just had his first child. He relives his story through a series of fragmented memories, pieces of sporadic thought capturing moments of his life as he tries to care for his family. But Corey is failing, and as he continues to struggle he realizes how easily the world can fracture his ambitions and force him to settle for a life of mediocrity. Thoughts of a Fractured Soul pushes the reader to piece together these fragments themselves, and decide on what part of Corey’s conflicting tale can be trusted.
Why is everyone so mad at Rupi Kaur? was originally published in C.R.Y on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
December 30, 2019
Look out for authors from India
India was already poised to be one of those areas to watch for great writing. Authors like award winning Madhuri Vijay is leading a new wave of young writers who have something to say.
Now with protests mounting mainly due to India’s new citizen’s law, paired with other questionable decisions that appear to unfairly target and oppress muslims within the country, India’s writers will be more motivated than ever to share their perspectives.
People have already lost their lives over what’s happening in India. It’s usually the artists who we depend on to articulate this kind of pain in a manner that brings us deeper insight from a distance.
Here are some of India’s authors to watch out for in 2020.
CRY
MORE FROM CRYHave you read Thoughts of a Fractured Soul? It’s my first novel about a teenager whose life changes when he becomes a father. The story is an emotional depiction of the battle he faces between his ambitions and the real-life responsibility of being a parent.
Look out for authors from India was originally published in C.R.Y on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
