‘There is self-exposure when you read your work out to a group. I still feel that, even though speaking to groups of students, teachers and parents was a daily part of my working life. In a classroom and in meetings you get to hide a lot of yourself, so reading your work to a group is a very different dynamic.’

‘Writing has brought me so much joy and peace. There’s something incredibly liberating about stepping into your creative mind- away from pressure, away from deadlines- and learning new skills, building worlds, and giving life to characters you believe deserve to exist. It’s an exceptional feeling.’

“I often went for a walk straight after my writing and editing time, to blow cobwebs away and to reconnect to the here and now, to smell roses and rosemary and lilac and jasmine in the beautiful gardens of East Orange.”

“The life of a writer is precarious so its diversify or watch your career go down the gurgler.”

‘I think in order to write a compelling memoir, you need to leave your ego at the door and be vulnerable. That’s the most important element. I couldn’t have written Hip Hop & Hymns if I was too worried about what other people would think of me.’

‘I really believe there’s a lot of ancestral knowledge that pertains to the power of storytelling. It’s not only a way to bridge cultural gaps but also a way to teach, critique systems, and build community.’

‘Writing fiction means imagining yourself into the shoes of your characters. In those deep places you find very personal stuff, confronting and meaningful and enlightening.’

‘Sometimes a poem just needs to “find the right home”. I believe it’s crucial to remain optimistic and never give up on your craft. Be true to your own unique experience: what you know, feel, and wish to communicate — and the manner in which you want to do it.’

‘Try to find communities wherever you are and wherever you go, one friend at a time. Creating art itself can take turns being exhilarating, boring and painful. Having friends and mentors to wade with you through times of doubt is the reason I’m still able to write.’