When you go to a predominantly white institution for college as a person of color it’s pretty much a given that you’re gonna stand out everywhere you go. This episode is about the trials and tribulations of trying to find a space where you feel like you can be your true authentic self. You know, bonnet and all. It can be hard to find those people that really get you in college but when you do, it’s so worth the wait.

This month I discovered that writing a novel is hard as hell. It’s not necessarily a revolutionary discovery, but it somehow still surprised me when I went to write the first draft of my first novel. In this episode, I talk through the ups, the downs, and the just in the middle feelings of the entire process.

Links:

Elizabeth Acevedo Pep Talk

Jason Reynolds Pep Talk

After completing my first novel length draft, I’ve had some epiphanies about writing characters of color. It’s still difficult to create representation when you’ve consumed media that noticeably lacks diversity for most of your life, but throughout the writing process I’ve finally found ways to portray a character that's dripping in their own unique culture.

We’ve all been there at least once. By yourself on the holiday that reminds you at every turn just how alone you really are. When you’re surrounded by reminders that there’s no one to bring you flowers, is the solution to buy your own flowers? Or is it just to remind yourself that self love is the most important love? I don’t know, but what I do know is that no matter how secure you are in your singleness, being alone on valentine’s day is rarely fun.

Links:

Seventeen Article: 36 Things To Do When You're Alone on Valentine's Day

I wrote 1,667 words everyday for thirty days (or tried to anyway). During my experience of the National Novel Writing Month challenge I recorded everyday through the ups and downs of my first attempt to write a novel length story.

Sometimes people say things that just don’t sit right with me. But I often find myself asking myself: was that actually racist or am I just overanalyzing it? Normally I would just tell myself to trust my gut, but navigating a predominantly white environment in my daily life always leaves me second guessing myself.

Links:

Microaggressions Chapter: So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

Tik Tok: Angry Black Woman Stereotype

I tend to stress myself out by worrying about what the future holds. And sometimes, it gets to the point where it becomes unhealthy in the way that it's affecting my life. In this episode I talk about taking life one day at a time and remembering to appreciate the small moments of joy in everyday life.

Meeting the people that you’ve idolized is a surreal experience that not everyone is lucky enough to have. In this episode, I look back on the past with nostalgia as I reminisce about my experiences meeting authors like Sarah J Maas, Nicola Yoon, Jenny Han, and Kiera Cass.

In this episode, I do some research on where the members of Mindless Behavior, my favorite childhood boyband, are now and I wonder why, more often than not, black boy bands never seem to get the happily ever after that other boy bands get.

Links:

The Destination For All Things Mindless Behavior: Mindless Behavior Fandom Wiki

Article: Where Are Mindless Behavior Now?

Tik Tok: Beyonce Being Conceited

Rayan’s Interview: Rayan Talks About the End of MB Part 1 & 2, Rayan Talks About the End of MB Part 3 & 4