How to cultivate a creative corner.

*Originally published via my Substack: https://faylitahicks.substack.com/

A Dynamic Creative Space

Before I can tell you what I know about publishing, I have to tell you what I know about creating. And what I know about creating is that you should never underestimate the power of a dynamic creative space.

When you make an effort to designate a physical space for creativity, you are preparing your mind and your spirit for creation as well. Intrinsically, you will know that you are entering into that space intending to develop a creative idea. …

Trump’s only talent may be his ability to successfully convince folx to look the other away.

This year will go down as the year we all had to finally look ourselves in the mirror and ask, “Who are we?” While some of us hoped that 2020 would be the year of reflection and clarity, i.e., 20/20, I don’t think we were prepared to have our America’s disaster of a soul put on display for the whole world to see. But here we are.

After the tumultuous start and mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the amplification of civil unrest and necessary…

Thank you.

My Story

On May 2, 2010, my car broke down, for the third time, on the side of the highway. Soon, an officer was knocking on my window and asking for my ID. I would spend 45 days in a county jail for a failure to appear warrant related to a bounced $24.87 check to a local grocery store. My poverty — which was something I had experienced since childhood — led to one of the most traumatic events of my life. …

A Reflection

It would be easier for me to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day. We could move on to gifts, flowers, breakfast in bed, hand-made cards, and laughter. It would be easier for me to do this — if I were not a Black child. But as I am one, it is harder to turn an eye to unfettered joy when I am confronted with the truth daily: To bring a Black child into this world, knowing what awaits them, is to be willing to always have your head in the lion’s mouth, always prepared for the worst.

It…

The Cite & Release Ordinance

Dear Council Members, As a 17-year resident, local author, and Texas State University Alumni, I urge the Council to enact the proposed Ordinance 2020–18, which would protect the legislative rights of residents and community members as set forth by the Texas Constitution’s Bill of Rights Sec. 3a., Sec. 10, Sec. 13, Sec. 18, sec. 19, sec. 27, as well as the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 14.06, which addresses, specifically, a peace officer’s citation for misdemeanor charges in the state of Texas.

I am in favor of the law enforcement’s judicious use of field…

Stop waiting for permission to get what you really want out of your creative career.

When I signed the contract for my first book of poetry, HoodWitch, I told myself not to get too excited. Books of poetry rarely get the shine that nonfiction or fiction books do.

I told myself NOT to aim for the stars or the moon. Be more REALISTIC. Aim, for say, the front yard. Definitely not anything next door or down the street or across town.

I realize now that this sort of “small steps” thinking is a common problem.

Telling myself that it isn’t…

Part 2 of the “Art of Aiming High Series”

Every day creatives are faced with the difficult task of surviving — despite a lack of resources or support. Too many of us are living paycheck to paycheck, putting our dreams and desires aside for the urgent needs of NOW. But as creatives, it’s important that we don’t let the pain of LIVING become so distracting that it takes us from our REASON for living.

Trust me. I’ve worked in a call center as a sales agent, in a warehouse as a janitor, at a couple of restaurants, and even played…

Books are a gateway into the higher consciousness we sometimes avoid in our day-to-day lives — either because it hurts too much or it requires we change. It’s easier to listen to something with a beat or to lean into a movie. It’s easier to drown in a sea of one-liners via Twitter — to glance over glossy images with clearly depicted symbols that tap into our underlying discomfort with the status quo. It’s so much easier than reading a book.

For a lot of people, it’s harder to set aside space and time to read a full-length book; to…