Episode 406 THE GREAT AMERICAN AUTHORS (Part 4) Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou

This episode looks at two literary giants and includes their writing tips. It also features the only writer in our entire series our host, Randal Wallace,  actually met, Maya Angelou. Mrs. Morrison was at the time of her passing, America's only living Nobel Laureate for writing. This is an inspiring episode for any aspiring authors and for everyone else too. 

Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison advised writers to embrace the revision process, to write without considering an audience, and to trust the stories that demand to be told. Her writing method was deeply personal, relying on a pre-dawn ritual and an intimate focus on her characters. 

Begin with self-authorship

• Write the book you want to read. 
• Ignore the "white gaze."  
• for honesty and truth rather than for applause.
• Write for the characters, not an audience. 

Trust the creative process

• Find your ideal creative space.
• Start with an image. 
• Be open to what your writing tells you.

Embrace revision and growth

• Revision is where the real work begins. 
• Know the difference between revision and "fretting." 
• Recognize missed opportunities. 

• Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou emphasized discipline, emotional truth, and mastery of language as essential for writers. Her own writing process was a dedicated ritual that supported her creative work. 

Embrace a disciplined routine

Angelou held great respect for the craft of writing and maintained a consistent, structured process.

• Create a separate workspace

Write consistently

• Edit and revise

Write from the heart

For Angelou, the goal of writing was to reach the reader's heart and help them feel connected to the shared human experience.

• Tell the truth, not just the facts
• Share your story to help others : She said, "A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song".
• Move beyond bitterness. 

Master the craft of language

Angelou believed that creative inspiration was nothing without the discipline to master one's tools.

• Use words to create emotion 
• Take familiar words and make them new: 
• Engage the senses

Believe in your creative capacity

Angelou taught that creativity is an endless resource that only grows through use.

• Creativity is a muscle: She famously stated, "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have".
• Dare to be creative: 
• Make writing a necessity:  

Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/
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Chapters

• 0:00 Virginia Tech - Dr Maya Angelou honors Toni Morrison
• 1:40 Music Intro
• 2:04 Remembering Toni Morrison, an Iconic American Author - New York Times
• 6:25 Host Randal Wallace welcomes you to the show
• 7:20 From 2004 , Toni Morrison on a writer's life - CBS Sunday Morning
• 15:36 A Conversation with Toni Morrison - The New York Times
• 22:09 Host Randal Wallace talks about her insights in why a person writes
• 22:59 Toni Morrison talks about her motivation for writing - American Masters
• 27:57 Host Randal Wallace reads Artificial Intelligence from GOOGLE reads writing tips from Toni Morrison
• 30:46 Virginia Tech Dr Maya Angelou honors Toni Morrison
• 31:56 Maya Angelou shares Life, Legacy, and Language - CBS News
• 35:17 Host Randal Wallace talks about his mother and himself as a small child meeting Dr. Maya Angelou
• 38:58 Maya Angelou shares why she is inspired to teach - American Masters
• 41:06 A conversation with Maya Angelou - ABC News Robin Roberts
• 45:36 Maya Angelou's perspective - CBS News
• 52:25 A Brave and Startling Truth - Maya Angelou full Poem - NC Public Television
• 1:06:48 Host Randal Wallace reads Artificial Intelligence tips on writing from Dr Maya Angelou
• 1:10:03 Maya Angelou's Masterpiece Caged Bird - CBS News
• 1:11:27 Moment of silence in honor of Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou
• 1:11:32 Closing music