You might think I don't write everyday, but I do. The problem is, I’m not enjoying it as much as I used to—sometimes I don't even understand it. Writing for work has nearly killed my love for writing. Especially when you’re writing about things you don’t enjoy. That's dangerous territory, since writing is my absolute favorite thing to do (well, except for reading or talking about music).
It's been roughly 6 years since I wrote and shared anything publicly. My own website isn't even live anymore—for me, that's a clear demonstration of life kicking my ass, back to back. After a heartbreak that stubbornly refused to heal, job changes, and having a baby in a very random yet fulfilling way (reserved for another post, another day), I realized I'd traumatized myself away from writing- For the love of writing. I couldn't put my fingers to the keyboard anymore without it feeling like a chore, even though writing had healed me in the past. My confidence took too many hits to share my thoughts with the world. My thoughts are now scattered in byte-sized pieces across the internet, simply because my love for long-form writing—where I could gather my thoughts coherently—was consumed by life itself. My life being pulled into different unprecedented corners left me depleted and strung out. The oldest daughter's plight.
But that's the thing about loving something: when it's a part of who you are, there really isn't a split—just a temporary separation from who and what you are.
So let me introduce myself as I start a new journey here. My name is Afia Kwakyewaa (Kwa-chi-waa). I am a Ghanaian woman who loves books, writing, music, and my son—not in any particular order. I have worked in the media space for years but stayed on the fringes because my anxiety is steadily trying to kill me. I am currently working on my debut book with the intention of self-publishing. I have also co-founded a small media production company called Cane Sugar.
I have no idea how all these parts of me come together yet, but this year I intend to do things without overthinking them. I will share in this cruel digital space truthfully, uncompromisingly, and honestly. My objective? To primarily connect and build community with other Black women in the literary world. To find mothers who are doing their best. To connect with lovers of the arts. To explore the bits and bobs of the things we collectively love: Books, Black culture, Black films, writing, music, Black womanhood in all our ways. But more importantly, to give myself permission to test myself in ways I have previously considered too audacious and undeserving.
So fuck it. Let’s do this.
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