Philosophy of J. Martin, Poet/Writer

In my quest to be a writer, I began to feel and connect with the various genre. In order to write, one must not be limited in their thoughts about life. The task of writing itself must feel good to you, or you won't do it. I think you should surround yourself with different flavors, smells, colors, and situations daily. You cannot always conform to a standard; you must also be willing and daring to be different. Writers have to be flexible by nature. All of my life, I have been told that I was different. This was not because I had green hair, but because I had ideals, enormous energy, creative flair and an adventuresome spirit. I did not do the typical or the expected; I did the whateverI -was -in -the - mood -for- Juanita - thing. I tend to do one thing and go onto the next. I'm not fickle by no means. I like challenges and change in routine. When I say that I can write just about anything, I mean just that. I’m not limited to poetry, although I love to write it. My poetry doesn’t always rhyme. I love the abstract and I like to start trends. When I sit down to write, I do not turn on the computer at first. I put things down on paper, to get the juices flowing, and watch the words come alive by my own hand. Sometimes I may not have time to write, but I do keep a notebook nearby, and even in bed, so I can write an idea down as God gives it to me. If you’re a writer, you know it in your heart; it’s hard convincing someone else to pay you for it. It’s good to see your name in print though, and be able to say to someone, “ I wrote that piece.” I will not put my name on just anything. I’m my own worst critic at times. I think writers have to have an entrepreneurial spirit too. You have to be able to promote your writing as well. You have to be convincing and clever enough, to get your book, CD, or article to a potential buyer. If you can do it right, selfpromotion is sometimes the best way to go. Stay tuned to here at my website, www.jmartinpoetwriter.com for updates. You can send an email to jmpoetwriter@yahoo.com,
or call me @ (707) 435 - 1807 ph/fx.

Words fulfill the Poets' Life
Ms. Martin began her freelance writing business officially in March 2001, but she has been writing semi-professionally since her teens in New Jersey. Juanita won a $50. EE bond, garnering first prize in an essay contest at age 18, for the New Jersey Audubon Society. Her essay was about the impact of the 1976 casino referendum on the environment. She was editor of Atlantic Community College’s literary magazine Silhouettes. It began as a creative writing class project. Soon after that, Ms. Martin began writing for newspapers such as The South Jersey Advisor. She was also a part-time salesperson. While a student at Solano Community College, Juanita wrote for the Tempest, the college newspaper.

In her freelance writing business, J. Martin does academic, business and personal writing. She writes press releases, articles, bios, flyers, business cards, logos and other things. Her services include proof reading, editing and some graphic design.

Poetry is and always will be her first love. It is a gift from God for which she is truly thankful. In recent years, Martin expanded her writing in various genres. She has written a $ 500. LVN Scholarship for Napa Valley College, where she trained to become a licensed vocational nurse. Juanita wrote an article on the first recipient and all of the advertisements for the scholarship. She also wrote The African – American Student Union Scholarship for Napa Valley College. This was based upon funds set aside for outstanding students. Three students were awarded $100. each. Ms. Martin wrote the criteria and the advertisements for this scholarship as well.

In the year 2000, Juanita wrote an article for the Solano County Memory Walk Newsletter. This article highlighted the winners and their background. Today, Martin is best known as the originator and hostess of Open Mike Poetry at Fairfield’s Barnes & Noble Booksellers . She held that venue for 2 years. She found new ways to publish her poetry, including a poetry/music CD of inspirational poems combined with cool jazz beats. Martin’s poetry runs the gamut in style and creativity. She has been a featured poet at the ever popular “ Listen and Be Heard ” poetry venue in Vallejo, Ca. and other places in the Bay Area. Now Juanita is the “Poetic Soul”, at her own poetry venue at The Heavenly Grounds Coffee House, in Fairfield, Ca. One of her poems became the title of a chapbook called “Environmental Terrorists”. Recently Juanita has published a poem called “ The Artist in Me” in the Vallejo Artist Guild newsletter. Her poem “Art Embraces the Past”, was part of an exhibit at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum. It was called “Art & Artifact: New Perspectives.” She has written articles for several newspapers and newsletters, including Vallejo Times Herald and the Solano County Black Chamber newsletter, Spirit of Commerce.
Juanita likes to combine her craft artistry with poetry. She has sold some of her original creations on items such as plaques, bumper stickers and mouse pads. J. Martin is busy self-publishing poetry books and chapbooks through her publishing company called J. M. Publishing, a part of J. Martin, Poet/Writer. Out of her company, she has created and published the anticipated Freelance Writers Marketing Newsletter. It’s a free publication where writers can market their books, CD’s and other items of interest to their peers. They can also place articles, bios, announcements, etc. They can also advertise their business for a nominal fee. Their business does not have to relate to writing, however.

In addition to her freelance writing, Juanita Martin is Board Secretary and Scholarship Chair for the Solano County Black Chamber of Commerce. She wrote their first business scholarship. It is called the Robert & Ranola Brown Business Scholarship. You can make contributions to the Solano Community Foundation for this scholarship. Ms. Martin is also actively working to develop the Solano Home-Based Business Association. Martin founded this organization at the end of 2004. She is also the CEO. Her organization is sponsoring its first annual home-based business expo on July 30th, 2005.

Ms. Martin works as an LVN at Sonoma Developmental Center in Eldridge, Ca. She also does on-call Notary Public work in her spare time. She owns J. Martin Support Services. Besides Notary Public work, her business does fingerprinting and signings for home loans. Juanita J. Martin, aka J. Martin, Poet/Writer resides in Fairfield, Ca, with her husband Virgil Sides. Juanita J. Martin will publish her autobiography by the end of the year called “ The Strange and The Familiar.” You are invited to check out Martin’s website @ www.jmartinpoetwriter.com. You will find samples of her writing and original creations at her online store called Pen Pavilion. Stay tuned for updates to this site.

Business Category: Freelance Writing

Business Type: Home-based

Business Established: March 2001

List of Services:
academic, business and personal writing, some graphic design work, editing, proofreading, hosting, workshops, contest judging

Education:
A.A. Degree in Social Science – Solano Community College
A. S. Degree in Vocational Nursing- Napa Valley College

Accomplishments:
past and present N.J Audubon Society Essay Contest- 1980 –1 st place winner
Wrote articles for The South Jersey Advisor newspaper in N.J.
Correspondent for Solano College newspaper – The Tempest Wrote a poem for graduation of the 1998 L.V.N Class 1998
Wrote and funded $500. LVN Scholarship 1999-2004 – Napa Valley College
Wrote an article for the Walker Times – a newsletter for the Solano County Memory Walk
Wrote and arranged Soul Stirrings, a poetry/music CD
Featured on Poetry TV 2003
Campaigned for a $ 500. business scholarship – Solano County Black Chamber .
Wrote an article for Sonoma Women’s Voices Newspaper
Community Credits: Better Business Honor Roll – 2001
Creator & Hostess of Open Mic Poetry – Barnes & Noble Booksellers- Fairfield, Ca.

Contributed to Fairfield Library Literacy Program - Mission Solano

Charity Golf Tournament Sponsored & walked for the Solano County Memory Walk 2004

Contributed to Mount Calvary Baptist Scholarship Program 2004 Contributed to Vacaville High School Sports Program via America’s Youth Sports Program

Member of Solano County Black Chamber- Exec. Brd. Sec. & Scholarship Chr.

Participated in the Poetry in the Park event 2004

Hosted a Poetry Marathon @ Max’s Espresso & Bagel Shop During the Annual Candy Festival 2003/2004

Poem title used for a poetry book dedicated to an environmental rally

Participated in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration & Walk

Supporter & Featured poet in Solano College Soul Food Jam 2004

Featured poet in Gospel Extravaganza and Fashion Show in Sacramento,Ca.

Former Fairfield-Suisun Chamber Ambassador 2002-2003

Petition Chairperson – Community Project to rename a street after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Writers Resource Center- Director in charge of Public Relations/Marketing

Solano County Arts Council Member & Newsletter Co-Editor

Wrote a poem that was part of a art exhibit at Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum

Did a poetry reading for Nurse Week Celebration – Sonoma Developmental Center

Was featured poet at a Teacher Appreciation Dinner- Word of Faith Church