I Hear You. You want to use All Lives Matter . . . BUT . . .

Yes, yes, I know. You want to use the #All Lives Matters hashtag to reclaim its negative connotation. You want to set yourself a part from white supremacists, white nationalists, detractors to the cause, idiots, morons, and people that don't have anymore depth than the limited complexity beyond a bumper sticker. You want to show …

“The Many Faces of Ito” is . . . delightful.

The Japanese TV Drama, "The Many Faces of Ito" has it all and then some. I binge-watched it when it debuted on Netflix and may mostly re-watch it. Why? Unrequited love. Misunderstandings. Best Friends Forever Betrayal. Oh. My. Goodies! The series is mostly about Rio Yazaki, a jaded rom-com screenwriter who is struggling to make …

Views from (Almost) All Around the World!

Hello there. How are you? I'm great! Thank you so much for asking. 😉 For a growing blog like mine, I think it's an incredibly big and sweet deal when you see visitors from countries other than your own stopping by. 🙂 Heck, even an audience of one is better than one, yes? So, this …

Colorism Healing 2020 Contest – I’m Humbled . . .

. . . to be one of the judges! 🙂 In 2018, I won 2nd place with my short-story-in-verse, "Souls Within" which centers on Jewel, a little black girl with albinism who desires for her classmates to truly see her. In between working from home, I've been relieving stress by squeezing in some writing and …

Diversity Illusionist Part 1: Mirrors, Windows, and Other Worlds

First things first. I tried to be succinct! Epic Fail. Apologies! So, what started as a quick response, ended up being almost 2200 words. And then that rolled over into more. Part 2 will be available in a couple of days. ********* Earlier this month another blogger, Raimey Gallant, discussed a not so Happily-Ever-After episode …

A Poem a Day Series 2019 – Day 27

Song John Rollin Ridge, 1827 - 1867 I saw her once—her eye’s deep light Fell on my spirit’s deeper night, The only beam that e’er illumed Its shadows drear. The glance was slight, But oh, what softness it assumed! I saw her twice—her glance again Lit up its fire within my brain; My thoughts leaped up, like lightning …

A Poem a Day Series 2019 – Day 25

On Reason and Passion Kahlil Gibran, 1883 - 1931 And the priestess spoke again and said: Speak to us of Reason and Passion. And he answered, saying: Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgement wage war against your passion and your appetite. Would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul, …

POC in Pub Writers and Illustrators of Color Mentorship Program!

Last year, I had applied for . . . and I'm pleased to announce that I've been selected to participate in the inaugural POC in Pub Writers and Illustators of Color Mentorship Program! POC Objective is clear and straightforward: "The People of Color in Publishing Writers and Illustrators Mentorship Program is an opportunity for writers …

The War of the Genres and Why Fantasy Writing isn’t for Everyone! (I Feel Your Pain, George R.R. Martin)!

I love reading all kinds of genres. Whether it be poems, song lyrics, autobiographies, recipes, etc. I'm not a picky reader. In this post, I'll discuss something few talk about. The War of the Genres! Publish America and the Hasty Generalization That Pissed Off the Science Fiction and Fantasy Community Almost twenty years ago, a …

Racism? You Don’t Say?

A discussion came up on Facebook regarding the apparent lack of diversity in publishing when Martha Boss, book blogger, educator, and model shared her opinion regarding the lack of diversity at book events. She explained that she had no desire to attend any literary events that didn't have authors from all walks of life. And …