Welcome to June! Tis truly summer–by the time this is posted, I’ll be mentally and physically preparing to deal with the rich summer sun, lots of summer traveling, and a soon-to-come week-long writing workshop (I’ll still have posts coming out, don’t worry! Though I will be slow to reply to comments, since I’ll be filling up on the fun of craft!). Afterwards, I’m hoping to delve into lots of writing and socials over the summer. I’ll be setting up an Etsy, at least an Instagram, and doing some work here to make it easier for you all to read previously posted posts! I’ll also be deep into editing my novel, to hopefully get an agent by the end of the year… more information coming on all of that soon!

But yeah, this is gonna be a busy summer. I look forward to it. After finishing this year of school, I’ve realized how much I miss diving into my stories and truly immersing myself in the heart of my novel and its characters. I got really burnt out after a writing contest last August, and I feel like I haven’t relit my spark since. But I’m determined to change that this summer. I’m determined to fall back in love with writing. And for any writers or fellow readers who feel the same–anyone who’s trying to relive their life this summer, or this year–I welcome you as we figure out this crazy adventure of emotions, mishaps, and “beautiful oops” together.

It can be really hard to find your creative spark again. In a world whirling with problems everywhere, sometimes life can feel too heavy to light or create anything. Which makes it all the more important.

I’m a firm believer in the fact that everyone is a creator. We may not all be bestselling authors, or heart-stopping movie directors, or artists with pieces lined up for the Louvre. But a good amount of us can cook. Some of us can garden. There are those epic-coded people who are great with kids. All these little and vital pieces of life, are art. Maybe you can’t get a degree in it or get into a fancy institution based on it, but it’s art nonetheless. Because it’s life.

There’s a tip I keep hearing over and over again for finding your spark again–both in life and in creativity. Just go and live your life. That’s a very simple version of it, but the gist is, to find your fire again, you can’t keep chipping away at the exact same block. You’ve gotta make some changes. Add some new fuel. I recently gave a friend who was feeling stuck in their life this tip:

• Do anything new.

And I mean anything. Go to a different coffee shop. Do math first. Sit in the grass and make a grass angel. Get a new job. Learn a language. Learn how to ride a unicycle. Learn how to ride a motorized unicycle (yes, that is a real thing, and I know a girl who knows a guy who can do it). Anything. Get out of your comfort zone. Stretch your boundaries. See where life takes you.

Say yes to life. Don’t let fear or anxiety or “this won’t work out…” hold you back. And I get it. We have life to take care of. Money is important, and we have to work, so we can’t just drop everything and go to Paris for two years on a whim. But if you get an opportunity to try something, do it. Send the email. Catch up with that old friend. Apply for that class. The worst thing that could ever happen is they say no. And then you move on and apply for the next thing.

I’ve taken this mantra of “The worst they could say is no” to heart over the last two years, and my life has exploded with amazing opportunities. I’ve got a solid job, written thousands of amazing words, performed poetry, started planning author talks (as an currently unpublished author), joined a one-of-a-kind art program, signed up to teach a writing workshop, and countless other opportunities simply because I just ask. Just see what happens. (Can I say “Just Do It” or is that copyrighted…?) That mantra…along with therapy… has single-handedly helped boost my confidence, which naturally increases how much I go out and find these opportunities, which continues to build my confidence… you get the pattern.

The introverts might be out there shaking their heads. Which I totally get. I’m an ambivert with current introvert tendencies and lots of introvert siblings, so I get it. You don’t have to go to the same extent. Take the time you need to recharge. Mental health always comes first. But don’t just say no because you’re worried. Say yes, with consideration for your mental health as well.

TLDR: Say yes to opportunies. Listen to your mental health, but also get out there and find the cool things. The worst they could say is no.

Get out there and say yes, y’all.

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Actually, don’t go yet–I’ve got our reading challenge and prompts up ahead!

Reading Challenge of the Month

June is, among other things, African American Music Appreciation Month. I’d never heard of this title before about… two months ago. But what better way to start off the summer than embracing one of the best art forms in life?

Read a book featuring music–bonus points if it’s about African American Music or African American Music Culture!

Here are some recommendations:

• Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by award-winning author Rita Williams-Garcia is a middle-grade realistic fiction novel featuring Clayton Bryd. He just wants to play blues with his grandfather. And as soon as he can figure out his own song, he knows he’ll be ready to play with his grandfather’s band, the Bluesmen. But when Clayton’s grandfather dies and his mother forbade him from playing any more blues, Clayton runs. On the search for the Bluesmen, his song, and the true meaning of family.
• On the Come Up by Angie Thomas is a YA Contemporary set in the same neighborhood as The Hate U Give, centered around sixteen-year-old Bri. She wants to be the greatest rapper of all time. I mean, her father was great, even if he didn’t quite hit big. But she’s gotta live up to the legacy. Though that can be a little difficult when she feels like her making it big is the only way to combat the eviction notices and bills piling up on her mom’s coffee table. How do you succeed when all the odds are already stacked against you? (I’ll be reviewing this novel later this month, so be on the lookout!)
• Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America by Tricia Rose delves into the culture of rap in America, in everything from interviews from the contemporary greats, to rap’s themes of racial politics, to the history of rap’s traditional African roots. Black Noise “takes a comprehensive look at the lyrics, music, cultures, themes, and styles of this highly rhythmic, rhymed storytelling and grapples with the most salient issues and debates that surround it.”

Let me know if these pique your interest, and if you end up reading any of these!

Finally, henceforth lies our prompts for the month!

First, our writing prompt:

Write a story or poem based off your character’s favorite song.

And our self-care prompt:

Try something new or do something that scares you.

Have fun this month exploring Black music, discovering new parts of life, and the warmth of the summer. And let me know in the comments: what are you most looking forward to this month?

Until next time ❤