S.R. Crawford's Blog

Go find my other posts on books by black authors here

I’ve done a few posts on black authors and book recommendations for black history month, but I wanted to share my black history curriculum! Books that I either own already and haven’t read yet or books I’m sourcing from my library that sound interesting and important to me. Books that help me support black authors, black lives, black communities, black history, black education, and black own voices.

If you want to create a personal curriculum for yourself, like the online trend that I am all for, then why not create a Black Voices Curriculum? If you’re interested, here is my list of books for your Black Voices Curriculum/ Black Representation Curriculum/ Black Lives Curriculum/ Black Education Curriculum… you get the idea!

Representation in the publishing industry matters. Let’s support our black authors and educate ourselves on diverse voices in the industry. There’s plenty of excellent books written by black authors in every genre. Just take a look…

My library offers these black lives audiobooks of interest to me:

(Check out what is available at your own local libraries and online using BorrowBox, an app for library users to download ebooks and audiobooks for free from your library.)

Non fiction:

Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch

Inglorious Empire by Shashi Tharoor

How to Be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X Kendi

Mouth Full of Blood by Toni Morrison

Biased by Dr Jennifer Eberhardt

Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

Timelines of Black History by DK books

Homecoming by Colin Grant

Black British Lives Matter by Lenny Henry and Marcus Ryder

Manifesto by Bernadine Evaristo

Coming to England by Floella Benjamin

Rising to the Surface by Lenny Henry

Black in Time by Alison Hammond and E L Norry

The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

What Are You Doing Here? by Floella Benjamin

Bits and Pieces by Whoopi Goldberg

Just Sayin’ by Malorie Blackman

Afropean by Johny Pitts

Notes on a Native Son by James Baldwin

My Black Motherhood by Sandra Igwe

Fiction:

Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

Black Klansman by Rom Stallworth (I’ve watched the film, it’s great!)

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly (again, film is great)

Ordinary People by Diana Evans

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

The Beauty of Breaking by Michele Harper

The Fraud by Zadie Smith

The Stuff of Nightmares by Malorie Blackman

Mr Loverman by Bernadine Evaristo

Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson

My Life is an Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi

Books I own but haven’t read yet by black authors:Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid – Dr. No by Percival Everett – Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead – Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo – brilliant N-W and White Teeth by Zadie Smith – literary fictionThe Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki – Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor – James by Percival Everett – retelling of Twin Ambitions by Mo Farah – memoir of famous British Olympian Mo FarahChain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah – dystopian, Hunger Games vibesWhere Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Abike-Iyimide – young adult dark academia thrillerCatherine House by Elisabeth Thomas – dark academia The Bread the Devil Knead by Lisa Allen-Agostini – literary fictionThe Fifth Season by N K Jemison – epic fantasy Slay in Your Lane by Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinene – non-fictionLoud Black Girls by Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinene – non-fictionBlack and British by David Olusoga – non-fictionHow to Argue with a Racist by Adam Rutherford – non-fiction

Please share any great books for black authors that you think I should read. Remember: don’t only read black authors or about black characters during Black History Month! Every month is black history month…

Sincerely,

S. xx

The aim of this post is to share books that I feel are profound and educational, as in they educate on how others live. I think divide and hate stem from ignorance. Not in a cruel way, but literally. As in, we don’t know how other people live.

If you haven’t walked in their shoes, you don’t know their experiences and thus the choices they have to make or worry about compared to you.

These books are political (either directly or indirectly) and tackle real social issues. Others are simply fiction books that represent an education in politics and sociology because they show realistic stories or talk about real issues amongst the rest of the narrative. These books have all educated me in empathy and knowledge of our world, so I hope they will do the same for you.

Please share your thoughts in the comments, too. Let’s all get to know one another better, so we can look out for one another. It’s not left versus right, it’s humanity and society coming together.

Books I’ve read myself:

Factfulness by Hans Rosling – offers a general understanding of statistics across the world on poverty, vaccines, death and birth rates, etc., to get a realistic view of what’s happening (the book is from 2018, so it is a little outdated, but the information and how it’s delivered is still relevant)

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge – the first heavier book on race that I’ve read, discussing the trials of black people constantly having to argue their side with white people who often don’t understand

This Book is Antiracist by Tiffany Jewel – one of the first real books on race and black history that I’ve read, very accessible and eye-opening even as a person of colour

Educated by Tara Westover – a memoir by a woman raised Mormon struggling with her identity and beliefs, a beautiful story about finding oneself while respecting one’s family and making one’s own education

Natives by Akala – on black lives, culture, and history in an accessible and informative way

Babel by R F Kuang – on imperialism, colonialism, the nuances and ethics around language, and the British’s destruction of language and power across the world

On Tyranny by Timothy – how tyrants come to power and the scarily similar patterns we are seeing repeated in today’s society

This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson – a satirical and accessible education through most of the letters in the LGBTQ+ community

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer – a gorgeous scientific and personal story through nature and Native American cultural practices

Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo – a satirical journey through a revoluntionary political election in Zimbabwe in Animal Farm style, on “tyranny, oppression and rebellion”

Mind Over Miles by Russ Cook – a journey (literally and figuratively) through Africa that I felt disproves some of the beliefs and fears about the continent held by the West

Chavs by Owen Jones – (I’m partway through) about poverty, the working class, and those of a low socioeconomic status; how they are villainised and mocked by the higher classes and in the media

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart – on poverty, working class, social struggles, and drug abuse (fiction)

Detransition Baby, by Torres Peters – on trans lives in all forms (fiction)

Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed – hearing the perspectives of many people from different walks of life = empathetic

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood – watch the show or read the book if you have strong views about the place of women in society…

HMRC series by Juno Dawson – fantasy but hits on some crucial social issues in modern day UK with satire and punch without being preachy

Books I Own but haven’t yet read:

Half Arse Human by Leena Norms – on the climate crisis, politics, capitalism, and burnout, in a truly fun, accessible, and lighthearted manner so that we can actually change the world one thing at a time

Who Will Remain by Kasim Ali – a very British /Brummie book about the “social expectations and social condemnation” faced by Pakistani main characters who make different decisions and follow different paths

Girl Woman Other by Bernadine Evaristo – on the many layers of womanhood

Zadie Smith books (I have White Teeth and N-W) – on socialism, class, race, working class livelihood, with gripping, gritty realistic characters

Conflicted by Ian Leslie – “how to disagree without fighting, and shows how mastering the techniques of productive disagreement can transform every aspect of our lives” (SO IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW, JUST SAYIN’!)

Black and British by David Olusoga – A short, essential introduction to Black British history (the untold stories)

How to Argue with a Racist by Adam Rutherford – does what it says on the tin, I hope!

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai – the life of the brilliant activist but also about education, human rights, protection and freedom

Without Warning and Only Sometimes by Kit de Waal – another Birmingham author, about her life as a mixed woman and social aspects of where and how she grew up

Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman – The Case for a Universal Basic Income, Open Borders, and a 15-hour Workweek

This Is Vegan Propaganda by Ed Winters – “Our choices can help alleviate the most pressing issues we face today: the climate crisis, infectious and chronic diseases, human exploitation and, of course, non-human exploitation”

The War on the West by Douglas Murray – “asks: if the history of humankind is one of slavery, conquest, prejudice, genocide and exploitation, why are only Western nations taking the blame for it?” (This one offers a balance in perspectives, as it’s important to hear the views of others and test the beliefs you have…we’ll see…)

Different Not Less by Chloe Hayden – empowering lived-experience guide to celebrating and supporting neurodivergence

The Myth of Race by Robert W Sussman – the title alone says it all and that’s why it intrigued me!

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela – about South African apartheid, politics, racial segregation and the great story of a great man

As always, share your recommendations in the comments. Let’s understand one another so that we can unite against tyranny and live happier, more cohesive lives!

Sincerely,

S. xx

Today’s post, following on from my previous ones, is about us taking a moment to get really honest with ourselves. Uncomfortably so. Because I can guarantee that the majority of us hold some unconscious biases guiding our everything thoughts and decisions, that could be holding us back and causing issues in our increasingly polarised society.

Unconscious bias definition: Unconscious biases (also known as implicit biases) are involuntary stereotypes or attitudes held about certain groups of people that may influence our behaviors, understandings, and actions, often with unintended detrimental consequences.

Let’s check ourselves, as the educated and compassionate people we want to be, before we wreck ourselves and destroy our free and fair democracy.

Questions to check your community / echo chamber

Definition of echo chamber and advice for social media use

How many people from minority communities and groups do you interact with on a regular basis?

How many books by minorities or groups difference to your own have you read?

How many people from minority communities and groups do you respect and look up to as a role model?

Do the accounts you follow on social media all share the same political or societal views and values?

Do the accounts you follow all look the same, i.e. the same race, gender, physical build, occupation or socioeconomic background, sexuality, nationality, etc.?

Questions to check your bias

Are you more likely to agree with the views of people who look (and identify) the same way as you?

Are you more likely to value the views of the dominant social group (white, cisgender, heterosexual, able-bodied men) over minority and marginalised groups? Do you think the dominant social group should be the ones in power and hold the majority of seats in our government?

If you are in a position of power in your workplace, do you favour applicants or subordinate employees who are closer to your own group/identity?

Do you feel uncomfortable around people who wear a hijab (head scarf), turban, or burka?

Do you assume people who speak English as a second language, and have an accent, to be of lesser intelligence? (This also works for privilege checks, coming next, as it is a privilege to have English as a mother tongue which is a global Lingua Franca)

Are you more likely to befriend or seek out people of the same group as you, rather than diversifying your circle?

If you read a news article stating a Muslim person has committed a crime, are you more likely to take this to be true, and distance yourself from other Muslims (or most likely any South Asian person) afterwards, rather than checking the facts as you might do with someone who wasn’t Muslim?

The same question as above, but substitute the following identities:

Black personWhite personGay personMentally unwell personNeurodiverse / Atypical / Disabled personChristian personJewish personHindu personTransgender person

Questions to check your privilege

Do you ignore conversations about race, gender, immigration, human rights, LGBTQ+ issues, or disability issues because they don’t directly affect you? Do you leave it for those groups to speak on the topics?

Do you speak up when someone says something you feel is outdated and/or cruel towards minority and marginalised groups?

Do you laugh at or fail to even try to kindly pronounce non-standard or non-English names?

Do you organise gatherings or events which are so expensive that certain friends or family members can’t attend? Do you judge them for it, deep down, or resent them?

Do you think people should just “work harder”, “start a business”, or “get a degree” if they want more money, rather than asking our systems and government to better support all classes equally?

Remember

Firstly, it is a privilege to check out of conversations about issues affecting other groups. Not joining the conversation isn’t just passivity, it’s a luxury. You don’t have to worry because the topics (and any potential societal and political shifts from these discussions) don’t directly affect you. Understand and recognise this privilege. We all have privileges. But knowing it’s there and consciously choosing to help your fellow humans is important.

Activism and change takes many forms, not just protests and arguments:

Speaking up online (in a civil, educated manner please!)Speaking up in private conversations Challenging the harmful views of the people around you Demonstrating symbols of inclusion, equality, diversity and justice Read books and watch content outside your own group – and share it with others to do the same Remove and dismantle symbols or organisations that represent exclusion, inequality, hate, violence and injustice – research the companies you buy from and ensure they align with your morals and values; if not, stop buying from them (ethical shopping is a key part of activism and change)Making friends (or having conversations) outside your group and comfort zoneShare the voices and stories of activists or individuals who have been involved in the movement/ protest/conversation of interest to youEducate those around you (most importantly, yourself!) on issues that people outside your circle are facing

Secondly, “Minorities” are actually the global majority! It’s only a small number of the world’s population who are white, cisgender, heterosexual, and able bodied. So why do we have positive biases towards the evident global “minority” but not the global majority? Because of the stories we’re told about those outside this group, that’s why. Because these people are our world leaders. Because these people have taken from and destroyed the power, wealth and presence of the global majority. Tyranny, corruption, hoarding wealth, funding wars, colonisation, slavery, imperialism, fascism, authoritarianism, salience, storytelling and control over the media and political decisions…and so on and so forth.

Thirdly, you don’t have to get everything right. No one is expecting perfect political correctness or for woke culture to become the norm overnight! In fact, some apparent political correctness and woke ideals aren’t quite necessary and make a mockery of the real change we seek/need. All anyone is really asking for is respect, compassion, empathy, understanding and to be heard. Is that really so hard? If someone corrects you, and they are from a group you are not a part of, then listen and accept their view. Simple.

Lastly, politics is supposed to be about the people and for the people, right? That’s a fair and free and just democracy. But some of our leaders are not “for the people”. They live very detached lives away from everyday people. They have no idea how we are suffering. And some just don’t care. So we have to care. We have to fight for each other, together, as one. We are the majority. Don’t let small differences divide us.

Straight white men aren’t to blame for all our problems, they are just the faces in power. We are society. We are to blame for upholding any cruel, outdated or immoral policies, behaviours and practices in our country. Let’s make a change, together.

Thanks for reading. Let’s help one another and protect our fellow humans.

Sincerely,

S. xx

In today’s post, I just wanted to go through some of my thoughts around transphobia and the rise of trans hate in the UK and US. I think trans people are being unjustly blamed for a crumbling society, and that, to me, makes no sense. Instead, I want you to read this post and consider, even for a second, that maybe your transphobia or anti-trans ideas are actually hiding something deeper.

Let’s get into it!

Trans people have no real power

No trans people are actively represented or hold any position of authority in our government in the UK. From my research, there is only one person who came out as trans in our government, but they aren’t someone who is in a position to make any significant changes to “destroy” our society and our boys. For those interested, here is a link to the LGBTQ+ members of parliament.

Hypocrisy and double standards

Anger seems to be towards trans women not trans men. As in, people have a problem with men becoming women but not women becoming men. Why is that? This seems to me to be a misplaced fear that men become women just to harm women. Whether that’s by attacking us in our bathrooms or taking away womanhood all together. But if a woman wants to become a man, great! We need more men. Men are better anyway, right? And a woman posing as a man poses no threat to men…

Interesting…

Choosing to make life harder?

Why would someone consciously decide to make their lives, and the lives of others, worse and unsafe for some “trans agenda”? Who would pick to make their life harder unless they felt they had no other choice? This baffles me. Why do people seem to still think being homosexual, non-binary, or trans is some fun choice someone decided to make one day just because they were bored?! No, these people are in pain when they aren’t able to find who they are in our society. That’s why they then choose to change gender, transition, or change pronouns and names. It’s a means of feeling more comfortable in their skin. Or else, why do it?

Let me pause here to say something and get the record straight. This post isn’t about convincing anyone to walk arm in arm with trans people (though that would be nice), instead it aims to counter the backwards and illogical rhetoric out there right now. I want to challenge you (or those you know who have these thoughts) to consider the above and how there could be some truth in it.

What this could really be about:

Let me ask you this: why are you (or someone you know) so obsessed with trans people anyway?! With villainising and blaming them for all the issues in society? How many trans people do you know personally? How many trans authors have you read? Or even fiction about trans people and their experiences? How many have you watched on TV or YouTube to hear their perspectives? How can you blame and hate and villainise a group of people you don’t even know?

That’s literally called prejudice and that’s ignorance and that’s unfair.

Don’t believe everything you read. Don’t assume the person telling you about a “trans agenda” actually has any real evidence to back up their claims. And please be fair and logical with your views: even if a small group of people are evil and happen to be trans, doesn’t mean that the majority are. Just as with a group of black people who are evil, does that mean that all black people are evil? I sincerely hope you don’t think that.

Instead, to me and many others I’ve seen speaking on this topic, it seems to be a crisis of masculinity. Masculinity isn’t what it used to be and this scares men. They feel they are losing control because women are rising up and having their say in society. This is simply disguised misogyny masked as “protecting women”. Let’s get back to the good old days, right, where women weren’t a threat to a man’s success, where gays stayed in the closet, and men were real men, who worked for the money, told others what to do and think, and lead this great country. Sound familiar?

Satire aside, young boys really are confused about their place in society. Where once things were easy for them because society served men first, things are more grey and that’s unsettling for boys. But instead of blaming the gays and the women and the trans people, let’s look after our boys. Teach them that their version of masculinity is okay. Put pressure on other men and the mother’s of boys to help them, don’t villainise other groups who have no agenda against you.

I don’t follow the extreme feminist view that blames masculinity for everything and wants men to be punished. My husband is, I think, an excellent example of healthy, secure masculinity. Why? Here’s just a small number of reasons why:

He doesn’t equate masculinity with going to the gym/having big musclesHe is the instigator of emotional and mental health focused conversations in her friendship group and sports teamsHe plays for sports teamsHe’s the better baker in our house (yay me!), even wear my Baking Queen apron proudlyHe reads all kinds of books, mostly what I bought for myselfHe can sit in a room of women without feeling insecure He’s good friends with my sister (they are very alike)He calls his friends out on any outdated and derogatory language used He enjoys time with my niece and nephewHe isn’t ashamed of painting his fingernails when he wants toHe will wear pinkHe enjoys styling his long locs He’s allowed himself to give into her nerdier side since meeting me (yay me again!)He supports, cares for and respects me by default – I have my own interests and goals, and this has never been an issueHe listens to me, actually listensHe isn’t afraid to tell his friends he loves and values them

I would be so happy if my potential future son and my nephew become like my husband!

Lastly, trans people do not want to turn boys into girls, and men into women. They only want a society where everyone feels safe to represent and identify themselves in a way that makes them feel comfortable and happy. And really, isn’t that what we all want?

Remember: this isn’t about left versus right or pro-trans versus anti-trans. My desire is for a country that meets in the middle.

Extremes of any kind are too much. Polarisation leads to unnecessary division that keeps us distracted from the real problems in our society and the corrupt corporations, politicians and billionaires at the top who are benefitting from the fighting of everyday people. They are detached from our everyday struggles, so they don’t care if we tear each other apart. If anyone has an agenda, it is those constructing a story that divides us and puts more money and power in their pockets.

Remember, real people are hurt by your views, which are often uneducated and prejudice in origin. Check your biases. The mental health of trans people (and many in the LGBTQ+ community) is getting worse after decades of fighting for a voice. Let’s not contribute to their ill health. Trans people are a vulnerable group in our society, who are really struggling to find their place. Don’t make it harder for them by mindlessly sharing hate and transphobic comments online. Think what you want in private, but don’t be the reason someone stays hidden, falls into depression or takes their own life because they never could belong.

Making room for trans people is a complicated issue that needs to be handled with care, compassion and education, not ignorant hate by people who I can guarantee have never actually had a conversations with a trans person in their life.

Let’s come together. Meet in the centre.

Here are some trans people, content and books I’ve accessed for you to educate yourself on their perspective:

Juno Dawson and I recommend her book This Book is Gay, she also has a book The Gender Games but I haven’t read that yet – she is a trans woman and author and all-round great personality!HMRC series (my favourite fantasy series in adulthood; has a trans main character and the author is a trans woman but it’s not preachy in my opinion or overtly pro-trans, just shows a well-balanced society where trans people can be included and it’s a very funny, modern, raw urban fantasy in general which deserves more hype!)Detransitioning Baby, by Torrey Peters – more of a well-rounded and controversial view of trans life, in my opinion, showing the perspective of someone who has lived as trans and then reverted back to the origin sexStarry Steph on YouTubeWillow Talks Books Booktuber

If you are a trans person reading this post, I hope you are safe and holding onto hope, and please know that you are safe with me

Thank you for reading,

S. xx

Hi everyone, I hope you are well. The world seems to be in a state of chaos right now and it’s hard to hold onto hope when you’re a minority, immigrant, or from a group that isn’t the dominant in Western society. We feel pushed out. Villainised. Held responsible for a broken system that we are made to live in.

I just want to say that you’re not alone, and you are safe with me.

I’m not the type of person who is like ‘just be positive! it’s fine!’ because it’s not fine. Some people are in very real and direct danger with the rhetoric that is prevalent in the news and outside our doors right now. But I hope that this post offers just a counterargument to hate. Shows that not everyone is against you.

There are a lot of people out there who love you, see you, and very much want you here.

**Disclaimer/clarification: my cousin’s husband who is a history and politics teachers at a college said that what he notices in his classroom (which is a microcosm of our society at large) is that the left argue from emotion, while the right argue from logic/facts. We in the left camp (or anyone less far-right and less extreme) need to adopt this approach. Emotional discussions sometimes aren’t the answer. We need facts and figures to hopefully have healthy and well-meaning debates. Educate yourself. Don’t assume the person you’re in conflict with is as extreme or hateful as they may seem. Everyone has a perspective and it does us ALL a good to listen, critically think about what’s being said, and consider each other’s point of view.**

Leena Norms

One of my favourite YouTubers is Leena Norms. She talks about the climate crisis (alongside anti-fast fashion and creating your own clothes), politics in an accessible way, and literary books. She is a West Midlands gal like me, so I find her content very enjoyable and relevant. I also got to meet her this month! She’s so cool and funny and down to earth. She came out with a video recently that I found hopeful and helpful in these times, so I thought I would share it with you.

The takeaway: you don’t need to do everything, just something, and that is enough to counter what is happening.

Wholesome Charitable People

People in my family are raising money for amazing charities, one of which is of their own making! My extended family started a charity maybe about ten years ago now, in honour of my father-in-law’s brother who loved tennis and passed away from leukaemia. They have since helped so many people get into tennis and raise money to build tennis courts in their home country, Zimbabwe, which brings community, fitness, and passion to a place that may not otherwise experience that (something of which we take for granted here in the UK).

Alongside this, my sister decided to run 365 miles this year in honour of her father figure who lost his fight against depression last year. She is running for the Mind charity, to raise money that will hopefully save lives.

(If you or anyone you know if struggling with their mental health, please reach out to your doctor, the Mind charity, Samaritans or Young Minds for support. You are not alone. We don’t want to lose you too.)

Positive News Subscription

Not everyone has heard of this, so I am making it my mission to share it! It’s so easy to see only the negativity and extremes of society right now on mainstream media. However, there are so many amazing and beautiful things happening across the world that isn’t making it to the headlines because it’s not as enticing or shocking. But it should be!

Remember, mainstream media just wants to get you clicking and reading. They don’t care if it’s all factual or fair or how it affects the people reading it.

Check your/their sources. Don’t believe everything you read. And don’t have these as the ONLY places you get your news from.

Introducing Positive News! A site and free email subscription that brings positive headlines to your inbox. I love seeing these to combat the very negative headlines we see on a daily basis. If you do nothing else after reading this post, please go subscribe and let this be the news you consume daily instead.

Perhaps a good article to read that offers a new perspective on the far-right rhetoric we are seeing is this one, from the mouth of someone who has held these beliefs themselves.

Community, Unity, Diversity!

I started a new job 3 weeks ago. I was terrified. Making such a big shift from working in a fast-paced secondary school to working from home for a university in admissions was nerve-wracking. But it paid off. I have the best team! It’s multicultural and LGBTQ friendly. We have people who are German, Chinese, Romanian, and a Bulgarian (these are just the ones I know of, they are migrants who moved to the UK and have had a beautiful impact on our society). Then there is a woman allergic to oranges! I’ve never met anyone allergic to oranges! I’ve also noticed some LGBTQ+ lanyards and badges, so they are either allies or part of this community, too, which is a beautiful, though subtle, demonstration of supporting belonging.

Alongside this, I have had lovely encounters over the summer with communities. I went to the R F Kuang event and met two ladies in the queue. We chatted for about an hour or so, just because we were fans of her books. We spoke about our personal lives. We bonded. We exchanged Instagram accounts. It was nice. It shows that you can find people like you anywhere, if you are just brave enough to say hello.

The same is true for the park runs me and my husband try to do every Saturday at 9am. We have done runs in 9 different locations now and this weekend, I ran my 40th. It is not about the running, it’s about community. Everyone coming together to do something together every Saturday. People chat, walk, run, share treats, celebrate one another’s PBs, dress up and raise money for charities. It’s truly a wholesome event that you can join anywhere, for free, and go at your own pace.

How lovely!

My favourite authors

Speaking of R F Kuang, I realised that my two favourite fantasy authors are not the mainstream image of a successful author. What I mean is, one is a Chinese-American woman, the other a British trans woman. Rebecca Kuang and Juno Dawson represent the kind of authors I want to be: multi genre, and genre-blending. Kuang’s books Babel and Katabasis are dark academia fantasy books which address and critique academia, social issues and dark times in history. Colonialism, imperialism and language. These books seem to have given me ‘permission’ to write in this way myself.

Juno Dawson’s series Her Majesty’s Royal Coven (HMRC) are my favourite and only fantasy series that I’ve completed in adulthood. They have made me want to keep reading, unlike any other series I’ve started. Her books address LGBTQ+ themes and issues in a non-direct or preachy manner. I loved the twists and turns of this. I loved the characters. She makes me laugh, cry, gasp, and get jealous about how expertly she has crafted a fantasy narrative in contemporary Britain. Again, it’s what I hope to achieve with my own work.

Support the authors you love. Read authors who are not the mainstream. Read outside your comfort zone. Recommend their books to the people you know (without telling them the themes, let them confront, critique and ponder the topics more organically themselves).

I truly believe that books can shape our world. This is what I will be doing to actively shape our society and hopefully make a change towards a more inclusive and kind world.

People speaking and educating against the hate

Lastly, I wanted to share some people I have come across who are sharing poetry, writing, and book recommendations that are anti-hate and beautiful.

Article to read: https://open.substack.com/pub/shityoushouldcareabout/p/trump-and-i-were-both-in-the-uk-this?r=8c3c6&utm_medium=ios

My next non-fiction book to read: On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder (it’s available on audiobook for free from my library, so check out yours on Borrow Box if you’re interested)

To watch: Adolescence on Netflix (watched, BRILLIANT) and next to watch The Walk-In and Hostage

Instagram accounts/posts that I’ve liked and shared lately:

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A post shared by HowILoveBeingAWoman (@forthegirlsclub_)

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A post shared by Lucas Jones (@lucassjoness)

Sincerely, S xx

This is a reminder that we all have different timelines. There is no age or stage in life that we all achieve the same things. Some people will never do what you do, or what I do. Some people will do those things years ahead or years after. The point is: it doesn’t matter.

At all.

There is no race. There is no competition or “supposed to” or expectation. Aside from the ones we put on ourselves.

Here is my timeline. It’s messy and it hurt but it is mine and I am proud of every step, as hard as they were.

First part time job: 18 years old

Self published first book: 18

Dropped out of university: 18

First real romantic partner: 19

Dropped out of university again: 20

Self published last book (move to trad): 21

First solo trip abroad: 21

First full time job: 22

First visit to another continent: 22

Moved away from childhood home: 25

First job I loved (a school): 25

Engaged: 25

Married: 27

Graduated with a university degree: 28

Ran first 10km: 28

Ran first sub 30 min 5km: 29

Visited my dream destination (Japan): 29

Ran first 15km: 30

First Home/Mortgage: 30

There is no ahead or behind. You’re right on schedule…

Sincerely,

S. xx

I have a member of my family who is struggling with their memory and independence. It came out of the blue and has shook our family. For this reason, I feel more motivated than ever to keep my brain as healthy and sharp as I can, for as long as I can.

*This is not an evidence-based post. I am just sharing my ideas on how to look after your brain.*

Critical thinking made fun

This is the most fun way and the one I thought of when deciding to do this post. I have games/apps on my phone that help me to think critically. To use my brain instead of doing mind numbing activities like going on social media when I’m bored.

Here are some of the things I do every day to help my brain and get the problem solving and critical thinking skills going:

New York Times puzzles: Connections, Wordle, Pips, Strands, Tiles, Letterboxd, CrosswordBrain Test appDuolingo

Second language

Speaking of Duolingo, learning another language is so important for community and connection with other people and cultures, but it’s also great for the brain. I’ve heard that those who know more than one language (and use them frequently) have much healthier brains. You don’t have to be good at it, just 10 minutes a day on Duolingo can do you a world of good, though! It activates other parts of the brain that you may not be using enough.

I do Japanese and Spanish.

Exercise

Exercise of any kind is good for the body but it sharpens the brain and mind too. Don’t skip on a workout. Your brain will thank you for it. Even a short workout or a walk outside can be beneficial to the working of your brain.

Think about it, our sedentary lifestyle in today’s society has meant we are less naturally active than our ancestors. It’s more important than ever to work exercise into our daily routine.

Complex conversations

Mindless gossip or shallow conversation may not be great for the mind, but in depth talks about complex issues can be. It triggers your critical thinking skills and empathy. It helps you see from other perspectives and learn new things. We all have opinions or experiences or things we have learned overtime that we can teach to others.

Sharing our thoughts in a healthy and safe environment can mean using parts of the brain that we don’t necessarily use often. Being able to explain something to someone else in a way that they understand is a good marker of intelligence and healthy brain function.

Reading

I’m an avid reader anyway but I know reading is healthy for my brain. It might not matter what you read necessarily, just that you ensure you’re reading a little every day. It’s a gentle activity that can do wonders for the brain as it engages in imagination and creativity, alongside critical thinking and memory to keep up with the storyline or teachings of the book.

Less scrolling

Substitute your bored scrolling with one of the other things on this list. Social media may be fun and it definitely has its place in today’s society. However, it’s not doing our brain many favours. In fact, it’s information overload which can be exhausting. You may think it’s a healthy break from thinking and stressing, but your mind is taking in information without you realising it that can be having a negative effect.

Diet and sleep

Lastly, practice good food choices and sleep routines to improve your brain function. The best foods for you may depend upon your individual health so I can’t say for sure. However, as a good rule, aim for less processed foods and more whole foods.

Processed foods aren’t helping our brains in the long run, even though they taste good and we get a dopamine rush from eating them. Whole foods are brain foods. Choose foods as close to their natural source as possible.

A good night’s sleep is your brain’s chance to relax and send you dreams and solve problems without stress. Rest and recovery are key for our bodies but our brains too.

Don’t skip meals or sleep. Don’t eat junk! Your brain will thank you for it.

Doing these things may not prevent brain diseases, but it could delay them. Not to mention that we just want to be healthy enough to live a full, normal life regardless. Take good care and consult a doctor if you’re worried about your brain.

Sincerely,

S. xx

It’s quite the thing of beauty to love your own writing. Lately, I’ve felt this way. Looked at a completed draft and found myself laughing, crying, and even gasping. This is the mark of a job well done. I am grateful. I am lucky. But alas, there is still editing to be done. What do you do then, when you have to kill your darlings?

I was dreading the editing phase. How brilliant it feels to finish a draft, but to then wade through tens and tens of thousands of words is daunting! Never mind trying to ascertain what you can do to make it better, without losing the whole thing or straying from what made it intriguing in the first place.

Here are a few things to think about when starting your editing phase:

Getting closer

Remember that you are getting closer to the end result. Closer to your vision. Not perfection. Perfection is not the goal because most of us will not be able to tell when our novel is what it should be. We could, given the option, edit forever! However, after a while, you will begin to ruin it. You will begin to get further away instead of closer to the ideal end product. Take on the editing in stages.

Read through the draft while taking notes on what works and what might notCreate a document (spreadsheet, Notion page, sticky notes, whatever) of each chapter or scene or both and what its purpose is, how the characters are developing, and what the motivations or shifts areBreak it down by act, part, level of tension or whatever works for your story Edit structurallyDevelopmentally (the character arcs, the storyline)ReadabilityLine editsProofreading

Remember: you are just getting closer, taking tiny steps, piece by piece…

“Different hats”

There’s a saying that when you are writing the draft, you are wearing the creative hat. You get to be free and playful and go wild. Then, when editing, you switch to the editor’s hat. This hat means you are more critical. You are looking for ways to make it better. This is where the killing of your darlings saying comes from. You are killing the bits you may love. There may be scenes, characters, magic elements or world elements, paragraphs or even sentences that you adore…but they aren’t making the story great. Therefore, sadly, they need to go!

However, don’t think that wearing the editor’s hat means it’s boring. That you will be all critical and have no space for creativity. Instead, maybe visualise a pen and a pencil. In one hand, you have the pen, in the other, the pencil. The pen is for editing and correcting, the pencil is for creation. As you sift through the draft in revisions, you will use both. Cross out and cut, but then playfully and creatively rewrite and add as needed.

Remember: be critical and daring, but don’t forget to have fun!

Pretend you knew it all along

Neil Gaiman (recent controversy aside) is famously quoted as saying that when you edit, you get to make everything look as if you knew what you were doing the first time around. Even if you are a seasoned plotter, there will be times when your creativity and intuition take over and you write what you didn’t plan to write. The characters know better than us, after all! The editing phase is our chance to make it look like it was planned. To make it all neater, fill in plot holes, hint at twists, and watch a clear character arc unfold. It’s our chance to feign genius!

Remember: this is the part where you get to show off and pretend you’re a storytelling master on the first go!

Sand into sandcastles

The hard work of drafting is done. No more dreaded blank page! You get to use all the sand you have shovelled into the pit and make it into a beautiful castle now. That’s the exciting part, and something we need to remind ourselves. We are still playing, still having fun by being creatively free, just without the fear of a blank document. We get to move and cut and pull and switch and rewrite and embellish as freely as we like.

There is no “right” way to edit. Get it done your way, just like you drafted your way.

And remember, editing and revisions are not about getting it perfect right away (or at all). It’s just another draft! And another. And another. Each a little piece of you and your craft; your brilliant, creative mind playing freely. Or perhaps the better metaphor is the editor hat wearer, the murderer ready to find the weak links! Either way, my point is that editing can and should be fun. It’s a stricter process than first drafts, but it’s a chance to make your draft into a book. Isn’t that exciting?!

So kill them dead, darlings!

Sincerely,

S. xx

Long books for the long days Flowy trousers allowing space Blades of grass tickling between toes Early rises to catch the sunrise Barbecue smoke lifting the airCute picnic dates with your friends in the park Fresh fruit bowls outside in the morning airLemon wedges and ice cubes in tall glasses, condensation rolling down the sidesSunglasses that fill most of your face, just leaving that pearly white smile Daring to try new hobbies just for the fun of it Yoga outside with the grass underfoot and the birds watching your form in wild thing pose No make up days, only protective creams, letting the summer sun kiss your skin until it glows Shorts and skirts and knobbly knees on show as you run outside like a child, free again, playful againShared secrets as the sun sets past 10pmListening to airplanes taking off while you sunbathe, eyes closed, back resting against the picnic blanket, happy to be homeA new playlist of fresh summer songs to sing while making core memoriesLong lazy dog days Journal resting against your thigh as you write your gratitude for the sun’s blessings Making plans for autumn when it’s cooler, secretly wishing for crisp leaves while you enjoy the sunshine during its short stay

Stop and notice it all, before summer is gone…

Sincerely,

S. xx

Last year, I decided that I wanted to train to teach yoga. I looked at my options, finding many in-person training programmes, ones abroad, and ones online. Because I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to be a teacher or not, I didn’t want to spend a lot of time or money on training. I wanted it to be something I could try without investing too much. And so, I bought an online training programme, and I’m so glad that I did.

Last summer, my nan became sick. Suddenly, my plans to train to teach yoga went out the window. Thankfully, I didn’t book onto an in-person course, otherwise, I would have lost a lot of money. Instead, as frustrating and upsetting as it was at the time, I was able to push back my training. Fast forward to now, and I have a 200-hour yoga teacher certification. I have also bought the next stage of training, the 300-hour yoga teacher training (YTT). When I’ve completed that one this summer (hopefully), I will be the full 500-hour YTT certified.

But what made me want to train to teach? What was the point of doing it online? Was it worth it? What do I plan to do next? I’ll answer all your questions here.

Why I decided to do YTT

For many years, I have felt like a failure. Or more specifically, I have felt like I lacked any true expertise. If someone wanted technological advice, my brother was the expert. Any travel or life advice, my sister was the expert. Arts and crafts, my mother. Sports or geography, my husband. On and on. I have knowledge in literature and film, but not enough to feel confidence, and be sought out for my expertise. Then one day I just thought, am I going to keep pouting or am I going to change this perspective? I chose the latter.

I decided I wanted to become an expert in yoga as a whole. Not to the point where I know everything (because that’s not really possible), but to the point where I felt confident. Where I could lead a class with ease, share philosophy, use the Sanskrit terms, and just embody more of what yoga truly means (aside from following random yoga videos on YouTube).

Thoughts on YTT onlinePositives:Ease of access – I can easily turn on my computer and open up Udemy to open my course and carry on from where I left offTake your time – I can go at my own pace with no one rushing me or watching me; I can pause and rewind as many times as neededVery informative – I found the videos and ebooks very thorough and in-depth, covering a wide range of philosophy, anatomy, alignments, roots/origins, meditations, pranayama, and so on, without being inaccessible or denseLifetime access – I can return to the course materials whenever I want as a refresh, so my money wasn’t for a one-time only programme where I had to cram all of my learning into a certain timeframeCheaper – most in-person YTT programmes cost hundreds of pounds, and if you do it abroad, they can even reach the thousandsZoom class option – the training I did offers monthly Zoom classes/check-ins for yogis to ask questions, practice teaching, or be taught etc.Wasn’t Westernised – some critique for some YTT programmes is that they can be Westernised by Western teachers, taking away from the true origins and authentic focus of yoga, whereas my teachers were from India

NegativesNo one is there to correct you – it being mostly pre-recorded videos meant no one is there to tell me if I have pronounced something wrong, understood a concept incorrectly, or if my alignment is offSafety – speaking of alignment, practising alone at home can mean injury if you think you are doing a pose correctly but you’re not (this hasn’t happened to me, thankfully, but it is a consideration)Limited, perhaps? – I don’t personally know how the online course I did compares to in-person training programmes, so maybe the content is limited, or more in-depth, I can’t say for sureLonely – some people may enjoy and thrive when learning around others, so online training wouldn’t work for them

Overall, the positives outweighed the negatives for me. I think I chose the right path for my life and circumstances at the time. If I wish to do an in-person training later in life, I can always do so knowing that I have a strong foundation. I encourage anyone considering Yoga Teacher Training, but isn’t sure and doesn’t have a lot of money, to try online YTT.

I highly recommend Bodsphere 200-hour yoga teaching training on Udemy, Parts 1 and 2.

Next steps for my yoga teaching journey

I plan to try my hand at teaching yoga online. I will upload yoga classes and meditations/pranayama sessions on YouTube for people to follow. These will likely be short and sweet to begin with. I want to allow myself the space to grow as a teacher and a yogi. This means trying many different methods to find what works best for me.

My niche is going to be: “Yoga for Writers”. The reason for this is that I love both yoga and writing (duh). I want to marry them together. I want to bring this to others, so they can see how they form a symbiotic relationship. Duality. Beauty in synchronicity. I want my fellow creative writer to aid their writing practice with a solid yoga practice and philosophy supporting them.

I might change my mind. I might not like it. I might get busy with other things. Either way, I want to try. Either way, I will get my 300-hour training completed.

All in all, the reason I chose to train to teach yoga is that I want to be my own yoga teacher. I may never teach classes properly, but I want to trust and know yoga for myself. I want to embody this philosophy and lifestyle, which I feel aligns with the person I want to be. I want to share what I learn with the people I love.

Sincerely,

S. xx