(ThyBlackMan.com) “Writers have to recognize the works of the artist and those of the activist. Creating content is more than just throwing words, video, pictures on a digital sheet of paper. There is serious intellectual thought during the writing process. Sometimes writing will be in a zone of creativity and innovation to create new content that has an intended outcome, but sometimes the outcomes are unknown.” William Jackson
National and international Blogger and Speaker
“There is a story I needed to tell” Chinua Achebe “African Voices”
The writings and interviews of Nigerian writer, poet, storyteller, academic and parent are transferable to the art of blogging in Africa and America.
Telling a story is not dependent on the platform whether it is
digital or the traditional paper platforms. Creating a story comes from the need to share information that a person thinks is important and valuable. There is an effort to put information down that you feel will benefit others.
Writers like Achebe from Nigeria, Africa, even though he has passed are able to transfer the passion of writing to bloggers because those that blog share on a platform that is connected globally. Information is shared at the speed of thought on platforms like WordPress/Blogger, Microblogging (Twitter), Pinterest, Podcasting where content is downloaded to digital devices and even on audio/video platforms.
Lessons need to be shared with new generations of bloggers, content creators, thought leaders, innovators, creatives as each generation has a story to tell. Successful “bloggers” which is a term that is transferable across platforms should understand the past history of storytelling and the connection of embracing personal experiences.
Time for African Americans and Africans to tell their stories. Listed are things bloggers need to be aware of when building content and sharing information that I learned from reading and studying Chinua Achebe and other African writers.
1. African American and African writers need to understand things need to be done to help their communities instead of complaining and using Social Media too “throw people under the bus.”
2. African American and African writers need to understand their place in the world. That they have a responsibility to tell their story truthfully.
3. African American and African writers need to understand who their inspirations are. Who influences their growth and share that knowledge.
4. African American and African writers need to understand if they do not write truth to life they are creating a “Gap in the Bookshelf” in the stories of people of color and culture.
5. African American and African writers need to understand the importance of stories of people of color and culture. Mainstream media does not show the “best” of people of color and culture every day. It is the importance of bloggers of color and culture that can collectively get the stories out.
6. African American and African writers need to understand what picture they are painting of their culture and their people.
7. African American and African writers need to understand as Achebe states, “fiction can be written as true,” by the reliance on factual elements.
8. African American and African writers need to understand that in their blogs resonate with their readers and create emotion and action.
9. African American and African writers need to understand the “human story,” and the “human condition” to feel their readers.
10. African American and African writers need to understand that storytelling is a creative art and a way of influencing thought and perceptions.
11. African American and African writers need to understand the importance to stay connected and grounded to their inspiration.
12. African American and African writers need to understand it is valuable to be connected between their research and personal experiences.
13. African American and African writers need to understand there is not one way to share a story. The diversity of Social Media allow for content to be spread globally and through diverse platforms.
14. African American and African writers need to understand that diversity in writing means that bloggers/writers must remain students of literature.
15. African American and African writers need to understand that when Chinua Achebe states, storytelling is a threat to anyone in control,” or “seeking to take away control, the storyteller has a different agenda” than those in control. People will feel threatened by the truth.
16. African American and African writers need to understand they cannot afford to be selfish or self-promoting with their talents. They cannot put themselves ahead of their readers.
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.