The Rise of The Emerald Ink Society: Uniting Writers and Creatives Everywhere

I am privileged to be a member of the distinguished group, The Emerald Ink Society. For the past 8 months, we have held weekly meetings with the creator, the esteemed publisher and exceptional author Kristina Roberts. She is a New York Times Bestselling Author with over three dozen titles, the Publisher of Strebor Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, and also serves as an Executive Producer, Director, Scriptwriter, Instructor, and Philanthropist.

Our discussions encompassed a wide array of topics that are crucial for fostering and advancing our writing careers. We delved deeply into the various aspects of promoting our writing, exploring strategies that can effectively elevate our visibility in a competitive market. This included examining the use of social media platforms, networking opportunities, and the importance of building a personal brand that resonates with our target audience.

We also spent considerable time analyzing different writing styles, recognizing that each writer has a unique voice that can be cultivated through practice and experimentation. By sharing examples from our own work and the works of others, we highlighted how distinct styles can evoke varying emotional responses from readers, and how understanding these nuances can enhance our storytelling abilities.

In addition to writing styles, we touched upon the art of screenwriting, which presents its own set of challenges and requirements. This segment of our discussions involved dissecting screenplay structure, character arcs, and the importance of dialogue in bringing characters to life on screen. We shared insights on how to effectively adapt narratives from other mediums into screenplays, and the significance of visual storytelling in engaging an audience.

Another intriguing aspect we explored was the concept of impromptu assignments. These spontaneous writing challenges not only encourage creativity but also help us to think on our feet and develop our skills in a pressure-filled environment. We exchanged ideas on how to create these assignments for ourselves and others, emphasizing the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones to foster growth as writers.

Character development was a focal point of our conversations, as we recognized that well-rounded, dynamic characters are essential for captivating narratives. We discussed techniques for creating relatable characters, including the use of backstories, motivations, and flaws that make them believable and engaging. By analyzing successful characters from literature and film, we gained valuable insights into how to craft our own memorable figures that resonate with audiences.

Finally, we shifted our focus to the industry standards that govern the writing profession. Understanding these standards is vital for navigating the complexities of the writing world, whether it be in publishing, screenwriting, or other avenues. We examined the expectations of agents, editors, and producers, as well as the importance of adhering to formatting guidelines and submission protocols. This knowledge empowers us to present our work in the best possible light and increases our chances of success in a highly competitive field.

Guest speakers often enriched our discussions.

Omar Tyree is a New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, journalist, screenwriter, and public speaker. As a prominent business figure, he has published seventeen books and written articles for the Washington Post, Essence, Upscale, and the Washington Times.

Wahida Clark is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Publisher, and Film Producer. She is renowned for her popular Thug series novels. She began her writing career while incarcerated, and her works have appeared on the New York Times and Essence best-sellers lists.

Bestselling Author Brandon Massey is an American writer known for thriller fiction, specializing in the horror and suspense genres. He has authored several novels and short story collections and edited three anthologies. He is a recipient of the Gold Pen Award for Best Thriller from the Black Writers Alliance.

Earl Sewell is a narrator, writer, instructor, and podcaster. He is involved in various fields such as voice-over, eLearning, e-training, animation, commercial voiceover, and corporate narration. His Young Adult novels in the Keysha and Friends series have made him popular among librarians and teen fans.

Allison Hobbs, a prolific literary talent, is a national bestselling author of over forty titles. She is not only a skilled wordsmith but also an effective marketer and promotional expert in the book industry. She has been featured in publications such as Romantic Times and The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Each of them offered a variety of insights into their industry experiences, publishing guidance, and the importance of marketing in their successful and distinguished literary careers. We are genuinely grateful for their contributions to the literary world and for what they continue to produce in this evolving society.

Featured writing assignment: The Wiz Club- Sonkissed Soul's reinterpretation of the classic The Wiz.