Nominated for Author of the Year at Spillwords Press!
I received word I am one of thirteen nominees for Author of the Year (2021) at Spillwords Press! This news thrills me to the tips of my fingertips and gives deeper meaning to every word I have put down since the age of nine. The reader in me wants to say I am speechless, but the writer in me knows this is not true.
How For Writers Only Plays Into My Writing
For Writers Only is a book that explores the agonizing passion of writing and how the art form is never-ending and brutal but as necessary as it is painful to writers. The book is packed with examples of how classical writers, from Chinese poets to English novelists, approached their craft.
Reading about how some writers ruthlessly churned out stories, devoted years to one paragraph, or revised their ‘masterpieces’ hundreds of times leaves me feeling like I do not take writing as seriously and as passionately as I should.
How to be a Real Writer
Maybe, to be a real writer, I need to struggle through a depressed life akin to the famous writing pioneers of the past.
Maybe, to be a real writer, I need to keep my words close to my heart and spend exhausted days toiling over every adverb until my manuscript is divine and perfect enough to send out into the cruel world.
Maybe, to be a real writer, I need to have a name and a voice and a passion for the Muse that Virginia Woolf, Rumi, Toni Morrison, Truman Capote, and Emily Dickinson speak of. Perhaps I need to weep over the lesson in every word and the moral in every character and feel as if every part of myself has been imparted into ink.
For Writers Only is a book worth reading
For Writers Only imparts some lovely sentences and relatable lines. Its use of metaphor and analogy makes the book worth finishing for me. It is an experience of writing I am glad to experience.
However, for me, books like For Writers Only and On Writing cannot teach me to write or change the way I write. Books about writing can only chronicle the author’s experience of writing and, though this experience of another writer’s experience, give the reader an experience of writing not experienced by her before.
How I know I am a Real Writer
To be a real writer, I cannot mimic the circles of the past or aspire to be like a celebrated novelist. To be a real writer, I must embrace and trust who I am. Plagiarizing other writers’ dreams and methods cuts away pieces of me I would much rather gently and willingly share in ink.
Read my Author of the Month Interview at Spillwords Press for a little more about me as a writer! Spillwords Press is the first place my poetry was published four years ago and remains a constant in my heart today as the first place my dream to be published became reality.
Nominated for Author of the Year at Spillwords Press
I have been nominated alongside thirteen other gifted writers for Author of the Year at Spillwords Press. My one hesitation in sharing this news is the other twelve writers are as gifted, if not more, than I and who am I to ache for the nomination more than them?
I conclude, no matter who ultimately receives the accolade, every writer, beginner to prize-winner, wins. So, if my any one word has connected with you, I would be grateful, ecstatic, and so, so happy if you voted for me! Voting is incredibly easy; you can use your Spillwords Press or social media account to vote.
Voting is open from January 26th to January 30th, 2022. Please do cast your vote for me here and explore the ‘Publications of the Year’ voting lists too for some beautiful writing!
My gratitude for your support and the community you all form is eternal. I am forever grateful.
May the words flow!
luisa zambrotta
Congratulations 💐💐💐
Her Digital Coffee
Congratulations Jaya! Your work is incredible and I’m happy it’s recognized. You’re correct about everyone being a winner no matter what! 🙂
Jacqui Murray
Congratulations, Jaya! This is definitely a big deal. I am wowed.
Chip
Congratulations, Jaya! I just saw this – so it is past the voting deadline. I would have definitely voted for you – as you passion for writing is very evident to me and probably all of your readers! It is great that you recognize the value of being yourself in your writing! Chip
Jaya Avendel
That means so much, Chip, thank you!
KK
Congratulations, Jaya! You deserve it. Best wishes to you 💖
Rayo
This is so exciting, congratulations Jaya. I love your writing and I hope you win this!
Raji (@journeyintofantasy)
Congratulations on the nomination Jaya! Well deserved, and I hope you win!
barbaraleaver
Congratulations – you can count on my vote!
Jaya Avendel
🙏🏼 Deeply grateful!
S.S. Mitchell
I am absolutely thrilled for you Jaya! I can totally relate about embracing the writer you are. We must believe in our own craft and pen!
Jaya Avendel
Well said! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. 🙂
bloglifewitherica
Congratulations Jaya! We are 1 month into the year and you are already reaching new heights of success. This really says a lot about your work. Keep writing, you are making such a huge difference. 🙂
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Erica!
Hacketthillfarm
Congratulation on your nomination!! That is so exciting and so well deserved. Sending you all the best of luck to winning!
Karalee
Congratulations on being nominated for author of the year! Good luck!!!
Sara James
You are right, as a writer, one has to stay away from plagiarism, and as you described it- it’s not easy as it sounds. I am glad that you found the book interesting. Sharing your thoughts about your personal writer’s journey is touchy.
Congrats on getting nominated.🤞
Jaya Avendel
Thank you kindly, Sara. 💝
thetravelvine
This is great new Jaya – well done! It’s awesome to watch a fellow blogger succeed at their craft. I’ve voted for you, so good luck, but like you said, everyone’s a winner at this stage. I love what you said in the first paragraph, ‘The reader in me wants to say I am speechless, but the writer in me knows this is not true.’ This made my chuckle 🙂 It’s true about writing and spending ages on certain paragraphs. My husband helps me with editing, and sometimes, we can spend an hour just on one little paragraph. It’s frustrating, but it’s got to sound clear and concise to your audience.
Corinne
That is amazing! I hope you win!
Corinne x
Cindy Georgakas
oh Jaya, this is wonderful news!
Congratulations!…to you!!!💖💖💖🌈
D. Wallace Peach
How wonderful and unsurprising, Jaya. A lovely post about you as a writer and a well-deserved nomination. Best of luck!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you deeply, dear!
Daphny Aqua
Congratulations Jaya! You deserve it big time, I really loved reading your words. Wish you all the success you deserve. 💖
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
I immediately voted!
You really deserve this award.
Embrace <3
Aspen Hite
Congratulations! A well deserved honor. I hope you win!
Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections
Congratulations Jaya …. quite the accomplishment and it shows others notice your writing. Cherrish the moment and best wishes as you await the news.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for your well-wishes, Frank!
Eugenia
Congratulations, Jaya! So well deserved, my friend! 😉
Melissa Kacar
What an amazing accomplishment! You are so deserving of this nomination, your talent for writing is such a gift! I also loved reading your touching words and personal insight on writing, as well! Congratulations, Jaya! 😊
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for sharing your support, Melissa!
K.M. Allan
Congrats, Jaya. I love your take on writing. It’s so true and relatable. Good luck! You have my vote.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you! 🙏🏼
Robin LeeAnn
Congrats!
Michele Lee
Jaya, I enjoyed your thoughts on the book, For Writers Only. It is evident that writing is core to who you are and how you embrace and process the world. A gift for us, your readers.
Jaya Avendel
Aww, Michele, love that you enjoyed my experience of For Writers Only! I love being able to share.
Michele Lee
Thank you! Adding it to my list. 📖
Charity
Congratulations on the nomination! That is so exciting and well deserving!
Andrew McDowell
Congratulations!
Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)
Congratulations! That is fantastic news and so well-deserved. I voted for you.
Jaya Avendel
I appreciate it so much, Michelle 🥰
schmitztimo
Congratulations for the nomination!
Jeff Flesch
A very heartfelt congratulations to you, Jaya! It is so well deserved! Your work is amazing, and a real treat to read. Always. I am so excited for you. 💛
Jaya Avendel
Your words rest in my heart, Jeff, thank you.
Jeff Flesch
Aww, you’re most welcome, Jaya. Always!
Lamittan Minsah
Congratulations on your nomination, Jaya. You deserve it. 👏
Infinite Living
Congratulations!! I am very glad and grateful to get connected with you and be introduced to your work just recently. Every word and thought you write about writers and writing touches me deeply with the joy of resonance and the beauty of your honest expression. I have added my vote for you, wishing you the best!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you so very, very much! I love reading your thoughts on how my writing about writers has affected you.
Infinite Living
You are very welcome truly.
Lucia’s Fiction
Ohhhhhh!!! Congratulations! Wishing you the best!
Artist/Poet_JayMoraShihadeh
Excellent news. Congratulations Jaya! Going to vote now my friend. 🙋🏻♂️
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Jay! I so appreciate it.
Michele Lee
Awesome! Best wishes to you writer, Jaya. 👏🏻
Susi Bocks
You are DEFINITELY deserving of the nomination, Jaya!! Congratulations and good luck to you!!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you so much, Susi!
Susi Bocks
You’re very welcome, Jaya! <3
Ingrid
Congratulations, Jaya! You are so deserving of the nomination! Not least because you know ‘To be a real writer, I must embrace and trust who I am.’ I so loved reading this 😊
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Ingrid! Your words are so deeply felt by me. 🥰
The Goddess Attainable
Congratulations, I am really loving your articles, every single one of them, no matter what you say, and I just find that your words put me at ease. Thank you, and I hope you win!!!! xo
Jaya Avendel
Your words fill me with joy! Thank you for your well wishes.