Sometimes a tiny win can sometimes change everything.
This summer has been rough for me. Creatively.
When I started 2020, I had so many plans for book completions and releases. And then life happened. Somewhere in the midst of the chaotic spiral that this year has been, I lost track of a lot of my creative drive. I often found myself seeing whole stories play out in my head yet every time I sat at a desk only led to self-frustration (Is that a word? Let’s make it a word)
I did release INTERCEPTION as part of the ONE MORE STEP Anthology though.
And guess what?
I’ve gotten to talk to some amazing new readers.
But today I want to talk about one particular conversation.
I’ll let the reader remain nameless but if you’re reading this and recognize yourself… THANK YOU.
This particular reader happened to read Cash and Kenadi’s story in the anthology and not only followed me on social media but went out of her way to write me such an amazing post.
She commented that reading a heroine like Kenadi nearly brought her to tears. Why?
Because REPRESENTATION MATTERS.
When I first started writing the stories were only ever intended for my eyes alone. But each story… every character… was so full of the life and color and culture I saw in my everyday life. From our foods to our music…
Our waist to hip ratio…
Our kinky coils to the braids to the waves to spiraled tendrils and every other variation and COLOR imaginable.
It was important of me to read a story and see myself… my friends… my family.
It was something that had never been accessible to me in my life of reading books. Especially when it came to this genre.
When I decided to share my writing with the public finally I made myself a promise. To never change my voice and vision for anyone. Not for public “appeal” or profitability. Why? Because I’m writing stories for messages like the one that sweet reader sent me.
And little did she know how much her words fed me and my creativity.
She thanked me for writing.
I thanked her for reading.
I’m the first to admit I’m my own BIGGEST critic. I will self-doubt myself into a corner and struggle to make my way out.
Then in the midst of what I can easily say has been the LONGEST AND MOST FRUSTRATING writer’s block I’ve ever dealt with…
My soul was fed.
To that reader… and all the other readers who have read and loved these characters and stories…
To every single one of you who have cheered for my diverse characters and their love stories.
I see you.
I thank you.
I’m beyond grateful for every kind word you’ve ever written about them.
You motivate my hands to pick up the pen and pour out words because I know there’s a reader out there waiting for more.
XOXO
