Category: Zach’s Corner

Zach's Corner

A Time Like No Other

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After the attacks on September 11th, 2001, our country fell silent. The skies were empty, roads spotty with cars, work ground to a stop as schools and stores closed. We waited. For what, we weren’t entirely sure, but we knew a moment was required to pause, reflect, regroup, and plan for the future.

Today is different. Today, while stores may open and work will continue–whether from home or a place of business–the waiting comes with an unknown endpoint. We aren’t recovering from a singular moment. We’re watching it unfold in slow motion across the globe. We’re not facing off against a radical segment of humanity, we’re settling in for a war with a pandemic.

Like any war, it requires a great deal of sacrifice, a willingness to do what must be done in order to save as many lives as we can. It requires solidarity, a desire to lift one another up as we fall, to stand together, as one nation, as one species. It requires faith and hope and an unwavering focus on the day when victory is acheived and life begins anew. Reformed, driven by an experience that reshapes our perspective.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. But there’s darkness to walk before we get there.

But we will get there.

As a writing organization, Broadleaf Writers is designed to influence and inspire writers, to educate and offer instruction in a skill that assists in taking that which is brain-bound and giving it a voice on the page. We are meant to function as a community, to help one another learn, grow, and realize our dreams. I will always believe that we–as humans, as a community, as a collective of like-minded individuals, etc–are only as strong as those we stand beside. So, I encourage you to buckle up, do what you must do to benefit us as a whole, and be prepared to jump in feet-first when it’s time to reset our world (no matter global or the world of your home). Be mindful of others, be mindful of those you love, be mindful of yourself.

And if you find yourself with an abundance of time–as it seems we all may–write. Dig in. Pour your soul onto the page. Take all the fear and worry and concern and hope you’re experience right now and write it out.

As to our slate of 2020 programming, we’re monitoring the virus and recommendations for public gatherings. At the moment, we’re holding a place for our April 11th Write Now program, while moving forward with the open of registration on April 1st for the 5th Annual Broadleaf Writers Conference in October. By then, I’m sure we’ll all need a breakout weekend of fun and community.

For now, stay safe. Follow the recommendations of the medical field and stay home unless you absolutely need to get out. You may be able to withstand the nastiness of an exceptionally powerful flu, but you can’t be certain others you will encounter can. Write. Read. Be with your family. Find reason to laugh as much as possible.

The darkness is temporary. There will be light. Walk the tunnel together and we’ll see what the world looks like when we get there. Then we’ll adjust accordingly.

If you want to share any thoughts–on writing or otherwise–or have some material you’d like feedback on, feel free to reach out. You can email me at zach@broadleafwriters.com, or find me on Facebook or Twitter.

Be well. My thoughts are with you all.

Fundraiser, Zach's Corner

From Zach’s Corner: An Opportunity to Help

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We’re nearly five years into Broadleaf’s existence, and as our organization continues to grow, new opportunities to assist and support writers grow with it. Among my primary desires in creating Broadleaf was to extend that effort to young writers, to offer programs and initiatives that open doors for them–both as writers and as future professionals. It’s a level of support and opportunity I wish I had as a young writer. This year, I hope to begin the process of creating and expanding those opportunities. And to do so, I am asking for your help.

Broadleaf Writers is pleased to introduce a new initiative, with the aim of granting students of writing programs a cost-free experience at our upcoming annual conference.  This initiative would give students from Georgia State, Oglethorpe University, and Kennesaw State University the tremendous opportunity to connect with industry professionals, enrich their education, and become active members of Atlanta’s writing community. The benefits of their attendance can carry them well beyond a quest for publication. Gaining a firm grasp of writing, of storytelling, and forming fruitful connections, can enrich their professional lives as they advance into the world beyond college.

To fund approximately 25-30 students, we are launching a fundraiser to raise $5,000 to cover fees for both days of our conference, an annual membership into the organization, lunch, and full access to the conference and organizational tools.

Every dollar helps us grant these students this great opprtunity, as well as create hope and momentum to expand this program in the future. For $200 you can sponsor a student’s conference experience, though every donation–no matter how small–moves us closer to our goal. Please follow this link to our donate page. All donations are tax-deductible.

I thank you in advance for your interest, for your support, and for helping me in my efforts to expand opportunities and education for students.

Zachary Steele
Founder & Executiver Director
Broadleaf Writers Association
broadleafwriters@gmail.com

Programming, Self-Publishing Seminar, Zach's Corner

Ramblings From Zach’s Corner: Who Knew?

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This is new. I have a corner.

I just thought you should know.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Recently, I encountered a writer who informed me that, before finally coming to one our programs, they thought we were a scam. Not a malicious, out-to-ruin-all-things, kind of scam, but rather one of those nonprofits that seek to prey on people in need. It stumped me, to be honest. I’d never even considered that perception a possibility, as my brain doesn’t work that way. I’m more “free the spider to the outside world” than the “crush it into a thousand pieces and embrace the darkness of pain” type.

Yet, in review, I get it. The world can be a nasty, spiteful, self-absorbed place and one must be vigilant. There are nonprofits taking advantage of people trying to find their way. Offer a hand for help and people might pull you up so they can better pick your pocket. But that’s not who I am. That’s not what Broadleaf is.

Broadleaf is, and ever will be, a dream. An opportunity. An idea of community, education, inspiration, and connection. I’m a writer myself, after all. I have needs. I long to talk writing, to share work, to be J.K. Rowling or Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett (wait, why do I not live in the U.K. again?). I want to spin a web of writers and proclaim them Terrific and Radiant. And it would be absolutely good and well if I found others who could do the same for me.

Being a writer is a lonely, solitary, profession. We need to remember there’s a world outside our head, even if we don’t like it nearly as much.

Hence, Broadleaf.

Hence, programs like Write Now or the annual conference.

Or, coming very soon to a Ballroom (B) near you (specifically at the Cobb Galleria, whether near or far from you I’d rather not guess), our Self-Publishing Seminar. I don’t personally want to self-publish, nor is it “learning the craft of writing” per se, but it’s important to a large segment of writers and I want to make sure they have the tools to do it right. After all, we can all do this no problem. What we can’t all do, is do it right. So, if you’re in the camp of “should I self-publish”, keeping warm by the fire of indecision and doubt (with every single one of us crowded around), then invest in yourself and your work, register today, and come learn with us. Our speakers have done it, had success, made mistakes they can’t wait to share, and want—as I do as well—to ensure you do this right.

Like every program we put together, this one is for you. For the community of writers we seek to build. And if you want to find me and let me know what you need as a writer, what you’d like to see us as an organization do to better serve your needs, I promise we will take your hand, lift you up, and do our best to pad your pockets rather than pick them.