IWSG Day, Celebrations & Remembrance

Happy IWSG Day! Can you believe we’re halfway through 2020? And despite the upheaval, unrest, hurt and anger, we’re still coming together as a community. Lending each other support. Thanks for bringing us together goes to ninja extraordinaire Alex Cavanaugh.

The awesome co-hosts for the June 3rd posting of the IWSG are: Pat Garcia, J.Q. Rose, and Natalie Aguirre!

Interested in joining us? Click on the badge above. Our Twitter hashtag and handle are #IWSG and @TheIWSG.

So what’s going on with me this month?

You mean despite living in six months of what must be a Stephen King story? Well, this month’s post, instead of focusing solely on the dreadfulness of the year so far. Today’s post I’m reminding myself that there are things to celebrate.

The biggest of all is that I’ve been made an aunt again this past weekend. Unfortunately, I’m unable to meet my new nephew until the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed and or resolved. Have several pictures of him so far and swear my new nephew and my youngest could be brothers. My nephew looks exactly like my son when he was born.

Another thing to celebrate that it’s been one whole year since I’ve made the decision to go natural. Instead of doing the big chop, my hair has been in transition since May 2019. I’d worn protective styles like faux locs and braids as my hair returned to its natural state. And couldn’t believe when I took my braids out earlier this year how thick my natural hair was. Almost forgotten. But I know it now. 

Thanks to YouTube videos, I’m learning how to manage my hair. Finally got the hang of doing braid outs but my problem is that my curls have a bit of frizz and only lasts for a day. By day two, it’s more frizzy than curly. I’ve yet to find the right curling cream that keeps my curls from frizzing and lasting longer. What’s more, I have to learn how to put my hair in protective styles too. Finally did flat twists the other night. It was big, chunky, it wasn’t parted straight and one twist in the back unraveled, but I did it. All I need to do is practice because practice makes perfect. And now I have another hairstyle to do besides a high bun and braid outs. Especially as it’ll be a long while before I return to the hair salon.

Another thing I’m celebrating is that The Match Game anthology finally came in the mail. It arrived this past week. As I’ve mentioned on other social media, I got a bit teary eyed holding the book in my hands turning to the page of my story. Haven’t read the anthology in full yet but did skim through my short story a bit and think I got a bit cheesy/corny at the end.

Another big celebration is coming soon. I’ll be another year older in a few days. Yup, I’m a June baby! And to all the other June babies, I have only one thing to say…HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTH!

June 3 question – Writers have secrets! What are one or two of yours, something readers would never know from your work?

Hmmm…secrets? That my stories are inspired and influenced by my love of anime and manga isn’t much of a secret. Although…not sure if this counts as a secret but I have an unconscious habit I’ve become aware of. I name the villains in my stories with the same alphabet letter. The closest comparison I can make is the Duffer Brothers’ Stranger Things. They tend to kill off characters whose name begins with the letter B each season. I’m unsure whether I’ll continue doing so on purpose. Or use it as a red herring in future stories. The answer to that is as secret to me as it’d be for readers.

Do you have secrets readers would never know from your work? Have any celebrations going on in your life or looking forward to? What are you grateful for? How will you celebrate your birthday this month?

PS PitMad begins tomorrow and they’ve added a new hashtag, #BVM (Black Voices Matter). The hashtag was born from a suggestion. And is for use by black creatives pitching their stories in the event. Still have nothing ready to pitch but I’ll be on Twitter RTing pitches to show support. Good luck!

PSS My former college professor posted this on FB and so I’m sharing it with you. Spoken word poet, performing artist and LGBTQ rights political activist Staceyann Chin is holding a virtual poetry workshop. Poetry & Protest: The Personal & Political takes place on Zoom July 2nd from 11am to 1:30pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/728812574591551/

We Need Diverse Books the Walter Grants application is now open for unpublished diverse writers and illustrators. You have until June 30th or when 300 applicants have submitted until it closes. Hurry and apply. And don’t forget to read the submission guidelines.

https://diversebooks.org/our-programs/walter-grant/submission-guidelines/

Though it’s good to celebrate, we must also remember. To George Floyd and his family. To protesters and activists. And to policemen down on one knee and conversing peacefully with protesters.

As I listen to FreeQuency’s poem, I wonder how many more times I’ll think of this poem in the coming years. How many more names I’ll add on while listening to it.

I hope everyone continues to stay safe and practice caution and let us stand together.