On Being a Woman Writer

Ladies Who Lunch!





I believe in the power of the written word, and I believe in the power of women. This is why I blog, this is why I write essays, this is why I teach English, and this is why in March of 2011 I started See Jane Write.


On Monday a few of the women from the group and I (pictured above) got together for lunch at a local Thai restaurant. The food was good, but the conversation was even better. After a brief talk about politics (there’s always plenty to discuss in that arena here in Birmingham) we got down to business – discussing the writing life.

Being a writer is hard. Being an artist of any kind is difficult in part because there’s such little respect for these professions. In fact, they aren’t even seen as professions by some, but simply considered hobbies. For many of the women at the table when we told our families we wanted to be writers we were told, “OK, but you need to get a real job too.”

Being a woman writer can be even harder. The byline gender gap has been well documented by groups like VIDA. Women’s voices are still underrepresented in the media and literary arts. And this is another reason I  founded See Jane Write. I believe that women who dare to express themselves, to tell their stories, and to share the stories of others through the written word need a strong support system.  They need someone to encourage them and to hold them accountable.

Because the writing life can be so difficult it can be easy to get off track, to go weeks, months, or even years without writing. Lately, I have really been struggling with feeling like a real writer because now that I’m an English teacher and no longer a full-time journalist I’m not being paid for my written words.  But one published author at the table said something that really stuck with me. She said something that reminded me not to put a price on my art in that way.  

The true measure of whether or not you’re a writer is simple: Are you writing more than you’re not? In other words, you may not write every single day, but you need to write most days. All relationships, even your relationship with writing, need quality time. Are you truly showing your love for writing or just offering lip service? I, for one, am ready to give it my all.  

Happy Birthday See Jane Write!

See Jane Write is officially one year old. To celebrate, we’re getting together for a small luncheon at Surin West on April 9 around 11:30ish. Head to our Facebook group to RSVP or click here or just let me know you’ll be there in the comments. Hope to see you soon!

xo,
javacia

What’s Next for See Jane Write?

The New Year is just around the corner and I’ve been busy thinking about what I hope 2012 will bring. But I don’t want to plan what’s next for See Jane Write without hearing from the ladies for which I created this group. So please take a few moments to take the survey below. You may make multiple selections and even suggest your own ideas for events. The polls close at 11:59 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Happy voting!

Scenes from Blogger Bash

Thanks to all of you who came out for our first Blogger Bash. 


We had about 20 women gather at Wine Loft for a fabulous evening of networking and noshing. 


Three lucky ladies won door prizes. Thanks again to Christy Turnipseed of the Etsy shop LilSeeds and the blog Life of a Turnip for donating a lovely Vintage Book Necklace, Karri Bentley of Artistry Skin Care & Cosmetics for the grab bag of beauty goodies, and Alison Lewis of Ingredients, Inc. for the adorable t-shirt. 


Some of awesome blogs represented at the bash include Stellar Fashion & FitnessJamie’s Rabbits, B Positive Magazine, Pretty Brown & Natural, A Geek Girl, and, of course, Georgia Mae


Thanks to Karri and Antonee for working the registration table!

Thanks to Wine Loft for creating a Blogtini for us!

Here I am with the lovely LK Whitney





Visit our Facebook page for more photos. 

Blogger Bash

It’s time for the women writers of Birmingham to have a ladies’ night out, or perhaps a bloggers’ night out!

(Yes, men are welcome to drop in too.)

Step away from your computer for a few hours and join See Jane Write for the first Blogger Bash at Wine Loft. Mingle with successful, emerging, and aspiring local women bloggers and play fun networking games for a chance to win incredible prizes such as jewelry by Christy Turnipseed of the Etsy shop LilSeeds and the blog Life of a Turnip, a grab bag from Karri Bentley of Artistry Skin Care &Cosmetics, and a t-shirt from Alison Lewis’ Ingredients, Inc

Wine Loft will be offering the following specials for our event:
$5 glasses of select wine
$6 Blogtini (you know you love it!)
$10 for half pizza/salad dinner

Click here to RSVP. 

Follow us on Twitter @seejanewritebhm for updates on prizes and more. 


The hashtag for this and all future See Jane Write Birmingham events is #sjwbhm. 

Hope to see you all there. 

See Jane Write Blogger Bash
5:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 29
Wine Loft, 2200 1st Avenue North