The Writers’ Block Podcast
By Jennifer Bush-Harris
The Writers' Block exists to be an encouragement and resource to all writers along their journey! Whether you write as a hobby, if you are a blogger, or you are on your way towards publication, we have something for everyone!
Come see us every other Thursday and get your strength back to keep going! And as always, Happy Writing!
Come see us every other Thursday and get your strength back to keep going! And as always, Happy Writing!
The Writers’ Block Podcast Oct 02, 2025
00:00
10:38
140. What Will You Say?
Writing is a most demanding gift. In becoming a writer, in doing the things that writers do, we must recognize what we say can be influential or detrimental. So, what are we saying? And who is listening?
Oct 02, 202510:38
138. The Fire Hydrant
The inner world of a writer is big and loud.
The ideas come fast and furious sometimes! These ideas and worlds and invisible people are most demanding! And while that is incredible--it can be completely overwhelming.
Aug 02, 202517:21
136. Occam's Razor Is A Pen
'Being a writer' is not as simple as some would think. When considering my own path and process, I cannot help but think about all the contributing factors which got me there so far.
This type of examination is beyond the normal 4 questions of (1) how did you get started? (2) what keeps you motivated? (3) what is your writing schedule? (4) how do you deal with writers block?
Please follow Anette King at www.theblurbdiva.com and schedule time for your own author coaching.
Jul 18, 202516:14
135. Fire Hydrants & Fire Extinguisher
In challenging times, writers have a unique stresses...and responsibilities. Times like this allow writers to (1) freak out, (2) analyze, and (3) record.
Sometimes all at the same time...multiple times a day.
Jul 05, 202516:16
134. The Cost Of The Ink
The world is on fire, and there has never been a time where writers can 'write in peace'.
What must be said, what must be done, is to respect the gift.
Honor the talent.
Share the gift.
Show up on the page.
"Black people need witnesses in the world who thinks everything is White."
-James Baldwin
Remember to follow your other favorite Black writer on:
Substack: @thatjenngottapen
TikTok: @whatjayesaid2.0
Threads: @authorjbharris
Patreon: THE DESK OF JBHARRIS
Blogs (all on WordPress-free to subscribe!):
The Ideal Firestarter
(http://theidealfirestarter.wordpress.com)
Come Get Your Writelife
(http://shekinahgloryllc1038.wordpress.com)
I Breathe Fire
(http://jenniferharrisbreathesfires.wordpress.com)
Jun 13, 202517:37
133. Writing While Being Black
There is a power in representation. I am happy to be a Black writer...not just a writer who happens to be Black.
Remember to follow your other favorite Black writer on:
Substack: @thatjenngottapen
TikTok: @whatjayesaid2.0
Threads: @authorjbharris
Patreon: THE DESK OF JBHARRIS
Blogs (all on WordPress-free to subscribe!):
The Ideal Firestarter
(http://theidealfirestarter.wordpress.com)
Come Get Your Writelife
(http://shekinahgloryllc1038.wordpress.com)
I Breathe Fire
(http://jenniferharrisbreathesfires.wordpress.com)
May 31, 202514:36
132. I Am The Record!
It's so good to be back! This episode starts SEASON NINE! I apologize for my absence as life and technology made things complicated.
Yet, with all the upheaval in the world...I needed to remind myself that I'm not helpless. I'm a writer. A Black writer at that!
Excuse the dust as I get everything settled for this season!
All love notes can be sent to circlethewritersblock@gmail.com.
January 2025 BLT (Black Like That) -https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/69697269/black-like-that-january-2025
January 2025 YLTMT (Your Life The Mixtape)-https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/69679798/your-life-the-mixtape-mag-o-issue-20-january-2025
February 2025 YLTMT (Your Life The Mixtape) -https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/69999433/your-life-the-mixtape-mag-o-issue-21-february-2025
Mar 06, 202514:42
131. “Let Me Tell You A Story…”
With the cycle BOOK 7 of the Traditional Women Storytelling Project happening in September 2024, this prologue will be in the completed essay A WOMAN LIKE MY MOTHER (October 2024). Ruthless Flexing here: RUN THE NUMBERS- since 2021
1586 stories/videos
26 episodes
18 playlists
6 anthologies
3 social media platforms (TT, IG, FB)
1 short story collection
1 Christmas edition
1 podcast
1 reflection essay
I couldn’t have done this without yall. Get your copy of BLACK LIKE THAT: www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/68721080/black-like-that
1586 stories/videos
26 episodes
18 playlists
6 anthologies
3 social media platforms (TT, IG, FB)
1 short story collection
1 Christmas edition
1 podcast
1 reflection essay
I couldn’t have done this without yall. Get your copy of BLACK LIKE THAT: www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/68721080/black-like-that
Aug 22, 202412:22
130. The Work Of Representation Is On-Going ft. Jennifer L. Julian, ABD (Part 1)
What a way to end SEASON 8 of this platform than with a professor at Texas Southern University. Professor Jennifer Julian is a scholar, writer, and a visible Black woman. For our time together, we talk about why it is the work of representation is on-going and why we can’t get tired now. Works mentioned: ALL BLACK GIRLS ARE ACTIVISTS (Ebony Janice Moore) and POETRY IS NOT A LUXURY (Audre Lorde). Get your copy of BLACK LIKE THAT: www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/68721080/black-like-that
Aug 08, 202401:41:12
129. The Impact of READING RAINBOW
Levar Burton will ALWAYS be part of THE CULTURE! Netflix has decided to have me in all my feelings and do a READING RAINBOW documentary…and I barely, BARELY, made it. Get your copy of BLACK LIKE THAT: www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/68721080/black-like-that
Jul 25, 202427:41
128. 1586
At the time of this show, there are 1,586 stories to TRADITIONAL WOMEN STORYTELLING PROJECT. While this platform is not dedicated to this project (I NEED THE VELMAS PODCAST is), I believe more than a little celebration is warranted. The link to BOOK 6 is here: Paperback: https://a.co/d/09R1er02 and Ebook: https://a.co/d/0eS4m02j. Get your copy of BLACK LIKE THAT: www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/68721080/black-like-that
Jul 11, 202424:56
127. Finish Your Food
Sometimes the hardest thing is to focus. But — focus is a must and a muscle. Both have to be developed. Get your copy of BLACK LIKE THAT: www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/68721080/black-like-that
Jun 27, 202418:03
126. You Might Have To Say Something
bell hooks said, “People are hungry for descent.” Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why the writer, the artist, will never go away! We are needed… And necessary. Get your copy of BLACK LIKE THAT: www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/68721080/black-like-that
Jun 06, 202419:59
125 A. The Lands Where Other People Live
Writers are responsible for re-creating humanity in a world by which may not see our own. In the world of diversity equity inclusion that we are in, and fight to remain in… It is easy to be swept up in the argument of diversity versus representation. Note: If this title looks familiar, it is the title of a book of poetry by Audre Lorde.
May 18, 202428:35
ITS OUR ANNIVERSARY!
In May 2019, I started this podcast with my adopted brother, the Anchor app, a pink notebook, and 45 minutes before work at a rehabilitation hospital. This is STILL cause for celebration. Get your copy of BLACK LIKE THAT: www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/68721080/black-like-that
May 18, 202420:41
125. The Selfish Pursuit
If I wasn’t a writer, what would I be? Writing is what I do. I can’t imagine doing anything else. Can you? Link to LEARNING TO BREATHE FIRE: Learning To Breathe Fire: The Collected Works During 30 Days Of Jaye 2019-2023 https://a.co/d/12Noxh5. AMERICAN MASTERS - ROD SERLING: youtu.be/T4ALNnImsmU?si=EFJOME6RmZTYvChT. Get your copy of BLACK LIKE THAT: www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/68721080/black-like-that
May 09, 202421:05
124. Things Left On The Desk
TW: death and dying. Writers are mortal. But sometimes we can take the rest with us. How does one come to grips (or at peace!) with that? To review see Episode 90: THE WRITER’S WILL. Get your copy of BLACK LIKE THAT: www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/68721080/black-like-that
Apr 25, 202421:59
123. Allow Me To (Re)Introduce Myself…
“Men brag, and women hide.” Shonda Rhimes said this at an ELLE event. And when she said it, I couldn’t shake that she was right— and I refuse to hide ANYMORE. Give up my pen (or light) for what? Get your copy of BLACK LIKE THAT: www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/68721080/black-like-that
Apr 11, 202421:39
122. Author Math & SH!T Writers Say #3
Writers are strange creatures…and I am proud to be one.
Mar 28, 202427:45
121. The Art Of The Show Up
Sometimes the hardest thing you can do is an artist is believing yourself… The second hardest thing is showing up for yourself. This show will have a SEND FOR A POET segment with my work “A POEM WITH NO TRANSLATION.”
Mar 15, 202427:14
120. Let ‘Er Rip!
Creativity is a demanding mistress— and in constant need of attention and tending to. We have merch now! Get some! Seewhatjayesaid.threadless.com/designs/the-writers-block-podcast-merch
Mar 01, 202416:40
119. “I talk in writer…”
Being inside, a writer head is a loud and complicated place! Sometimes the language doesn’t always make sense, and sometimes we repeat that. And yet, it is needed and necessary. We have merch now! Get some! Seewhatjayesaid.threadless.com/designs/the-writers-block-podcast-merch
Feb 16, 202417:40
118. “EWW, GIRLS!”
Sometimes being a female fan of something that has protagonist, and heroes that are male is beyond complicated. We have merch now! Get some! Seewhatjayesaid.threadless.com/designs/the-writers-block-podcast-merch
Feb 03, 202420:32
117. What’s In The Cache?
Welcome to Season 8! With all things being immediate, sometimes we as artists have to let things…simmer! A Cache is different from the Draft Drawer we spoke about way back in Season 1. But it’s just as needed, trust me!
Jan 18, 202412:52
END OF THE YEAR LETTER - 2023
You’re doing better than you think you are. Onward to 2024!
Dec 30, 202303:15
116. 200 EPISODES! Pens Up!
It took us 5 years to get to this point, and we are going to celebrate LOUDLY! Come and celebrate with us!
Dec 28, 202316:09
115. Writing In A Time Of Upheaval: Shouts To Roxanne Gay
Writers are witnesses, agitators, and truth-tellers! The work we do is needed and necessary! Write like your life depends on it! Works mentioned: The Source of Self-Regard (T. Morrison), Bad Feminist (R. Gay) and WRITING IN A TIME OF SOCIAL CHANGE (MasterClass taught by R. Gay). SEND FOR A POET segment is by Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre. The work is called “VOTING AS A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.” Follow him on IG: @guantesolo.
Dec 14, 202322:30
114. Until They Need Us - Part 2
“Black people need witnesses in a world that thinks everything is White.” -James Baldwin
Nov 23, 202324:38
113. Until They Need Us - Part 1
The work of the writer can be thankless…but we do it anyway.
Nov 09, 202317:58
112. Here They Come Again
There is a White woman on TikTok who believes the LORD told her to “sanctify” Iniko’s song Jericho—to make it sound more Christian and less “demonic.” Where have I/We/Us heard that before?
Oct 26, 202322:39
111. The Slide
The most glorious moment in fiction writing is when the characters take over. The scariest thing is fiction writing is when the characters take over! For this episode, we’ll examine how great this is…and how scary that just might be.
Oct 12, 202318:38
110A: Closing Thoughts On Back To Writing Month
Whew! And just like that then month of September is hours from being over. Let’s take time to reflect on September, which is BACK TO WRITING MONTH, and the proceeding 9. Onward to 2024!
Sep 30, 202312:43
110. NAS Did 6 Albums In 3 Years
At the time of this recording, recording artists/rapper/emcee/aka ESCO, NAS has released his 6th album in 3 years. For this episode, we are going to explore just how powerful (and needed) creative energy is. Note: listen to the end of this episode for a special announcement for February 2024 (Accounts to follow: IG: @authorjbharris, TT: @whatjayesaid2.0, Podcast: WHATJAYESAID: THE PODCAST). Note: The HAPPY BIRTHDAY HIP-HOP Series Is on I BREATHE FIRE (http://jenniferharrisbreathesfire.wordpress.com).
Sep 28, 202330:55
109A. Bonus: VENGEANCE IS THE BODY (LIVE READING)
VENGEANCE IS THE BODY is available on Amazon/Kindle. This reading was done on Saturday, September 23, 2023.
Sep 25, 202301:31:02
109. The Need Of The Artist
There will never be a time where the artist is not needed! And for the cards, for this noble guild, we do what we must. Artist are truth, tellers, soothsayers, and a type of magician. It is through our work, and weaving, for the force of our own imaginations, that we prove to the world that we are more alike than we are different. For what can experience, Grant, they may be uncommon to another man? Whether that be the exposure of hatred, the need of love, the need of peace and safety… Artists will always be needed. Works referenced: THE YEAR OF YES by Shonda Rhimes. THE STRUGGLE OF THE ARTIST (1969) by James Baldwin. Link: youtu.be/rGwPv7rm3l4?si=jR9hhFYbv5NAVG52
Sep 14, 202326:56
108: NIKKI GIOVANNI IS 80.
The Black writers who shaped my life, who I quote and study—are either aging or dead. When Yolande Cornelia Giovanni, Jr. (Nikki Giovanni) turned 80 this past June, this was driven home to me. My Foremothers…are leaving. Leaving! Where do we go from here?
Aug 24, 202319:38
107. You Are The Story
Sometimes you have to encourage yourself and other people. In listening to BlackFluidPoet (podcast is the same name—listen to the episode titled “THE FOREST”), I want to answer the question of “Who is even listening?” The answer is this: the people who need to hear. Artists are a different type of healer…and we are more needed just like medicine…
Aug 10, 202330:13
106. Black Writers In White People’s Faces
For this episode, we are going to focus on what is currently happening in the Houston. Independent school district. Libraries are being closed for lack of a better word in order to make room for detention centers within schools that are being created under the guise of helping children to learn to learn how to read. We’ve been here before… Haven’t we? Read here: https://t.co/PhO0TkEpBi Extras: follow THE RECLAIMED PODCAST, and support BOOKS N BROS (http://www.booksnbros.com)!
Jul 28, 202330:26
105. The Album (Or Cemetery) Of Social Media
Tweeting. Facebooking. Instagramming, Duets. Stitching. Going Live. All these verbs are now part of our writing reality. Yet as technology changes, and these things are changed, improved, or even lost… How do we as writers manage that? Follow me on TT: @whatjayesaid2.0/shesgottapen2.0; IG: @authorjbharris SPILL: WHATJAYESAID Twitter: @authorjbharris/@theladyofharris FB: Jennifer Bush-Harris
Jul 14, 202328:48
104. Writer Success (Part II)
There are certain things that feel like wins and like losses as a writer—which is individual to the writer who experiences them. And yet…we keep going… in spite of.
Jun 29, 202326:09
103. Writer Success (Part I)
If you ask a writer, what successes… They may not have a easy answer for you. Success is as individual as the writer whom you ask. In this two-part show explore what that means, what success really is, and what success actually means to me. Also! Listen all the way to the end of the show to hear about YOUR LIFE THE MIXTAPE MAGAZINE! I also am a feature writer for it—AND ITS FREE! Check out my column WHAT HAD HAPPENED WAS! Subscribe today!
Jun 15, 202320:54
102. Check The Cache
There is something to be said for checking the work you abandoned, and what you got distracted from getting back to. For this episode, let it me a reminder to go back and look again—you might be surprised at what you find!
Jun 01, 202322:41
101 A. WGA STRONG
At the time of this recording, the Writers Guild of America is still on strike. So often, this profession, this art, is not honored. And it’s time that we start doing that. Without a writer nothing moves.
May 20, 202321:27
101. AI vs. “WHO AM I?”
With all that’s going on in the world AI, it’s just the newest innovation of what writers have faced for centuries. With every new invention that seeks to replace human creativity, it must be kept in proper perspective. For this particular show, I give my opinion on just how, I think AI can be useful, and what makes it detrimental.
May 18, 202318:04
100. OUR 100th SHOW!
As of this show, we are nine days from our fourth year anniversary of podcasting. It is amazing just how far this platform has come, and how much further it Hass to go. There is an exuberance on the show, and energy on this show, that only a black woman can bring. Come and share this joy… A Black woman did this.
May 04, 202317:04
99A. “Primary Sources, Secondary Sources, Never Imaginary Sources…”
The adage is that history is written by the winners. Yet, I pose you this question: is history really with written by the winner or is it written by the people who survived? And are still surviving? Being a primary resource, you have to understand that it is your responsibility to record what is happening around you… AND TO YOU in times of social upheaval and change! Toni Morrison said that artists/writers do their best work In times of social upheaval and change. in the spirit of that legacy, let this show be a reminder to you that your life indeed is a treasure. We are now the future ancestors. Let us act accordingly.
Apr 26, 202326:21
99. The Writer’s Resume
Every Writer needs a résumé! A document that can be given out. We need a necessary that tracks and celebrates all of your accomplishments. The thing that is so amazing about your write a résumé is it is built by you. I can also be neglected by you. Make time to update it every so often, and celebrate over it… Every so often. Note: AND KEEP IT UPDATED!
Apr 20, 202316:14
98. Read The Releases
One of the things most crucial in your writing journey is the management and control of your intellectual property. While there are many reputable places for you to submit your work (and you should!) there are also places that will take your work. It is essential for you as your own advocate, the proprietor of your intellectual property to read your releases. There should never be a time when you have your own authentic work in the world With no knowledge of what will be done with it, and no control over it.
Apr 06, 202315:56
97. The Power Of Consistency
I know it seems that all is lost, and success may never come, but trust me—it is on the way. Keep going.
Mar 23, 202319:25
Day 28: Love & All Its Forms-reading from How Much Justice Cost? by JBHarris
As this project ends, I thought I would be fitting to end it with a sample of the work you will find in the title listed. It has been my hope, that you have gotten some encouragement, entertainment, and maybe remember just how complex love is… And how deep you can go. this book is available on Amazon and Kindle now. make sure that you rate, recommend, and review this podcast whatever you find it. Thank you.
Feb 28, 202310:57