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How long have you been writing and what made you want to write in the first place?
I've been writing screenplays for about the past 2-3 years but started writing stories in the sixth grade. I came across a book of African folklore in the school library that talked about griots, which were a class of artists and storytellers who passed on oral history as they traveled from place to place. The book talked about the important role storytellers played in society and I remember feeling deeply connected to the work they did for their communities. From that moment, I knew I wanted to tell stories but wasn't sure what that actually meant. During this same period, a group of friends I'd made in class began passing around a notebook where we each took turns writing scary stories and critiquing each other. I consider this to be my very first writer's room. We had no clue what we were doing but it was fun and it felt purposeful. I think this was the spark that pushed me to begin writing.
What genre do you prefer to write in? What draws you to that genre?
I'm a big fan of the dramedy genre, so shows like Atlanta and Insecure really float to the top for me. I love the way these writers can dig into the lives of the characters in ways that feel so relatable but also add color to the character's existential drama through integrating laugh out loud moments. I'm also really into sci-fi and fantasy but haven't delved into writing in these genres just yet. I'm so impressed by the world-building that sci-fi and fantasy writers engage in. It's incredible.
Tell us three things you're currently digging.
Book: Life Is In The Transitions - Bruce Feiler. This is an awesome read and has helped me to think about life differently. Things don't happen in a straight line. This sounds obvious but reading people's life stories really hammered this point home and alleviated some of the stress of always feeling like there's some direct path forward in life. There isn't.
Show: Black Is King! Beyonce... Enough said.
Food: Sun-Dried Tomato, Kale, and White Bean Skillet (I have made this so many times during quarantine!! Love it.)
What interested you about the Roadmap Diversity Initiative?
I really appreciate Roadmap Writer's intentional effort to support writers of color and to push for increasing diversity in the TV and film industry. Roadmap is really working to help writers cultivate their craft but also to connect them with opportunities to find representation and succeed in the industry. That's dope!
Where can we find you?
I'm not really on social media. I do have a Linkedin but I don't think that's the same thing. Funny enough, I actually started a Twitter account this morning and deleted it in all of twenty minutes. Within the first few moments of having the account, I ended up on a page of someone who had been doxxed and was being trolled. I got stressed, my anxiety grew, and I deactivated the account. Maybe I'll try Instagram again at some point. Lots of pretty pictures over there. lol.
I've been writing screenplays for about the past 2-3 years but started writing stories in the sixth grade. I came across a book of African folklore in the school library that talked about griots, which were a class of artists and storytellers who passed on oral history as they traveled from place to place. The book talked about the important role storytellers played in society and I remember feeling deeply connected to the work they did for their communities. From that moment, I knew I wanted to tell stories but wasn't sure what that actually meant. During this same period, a group of friends I'd made in class began passing around a notebook where we each took turns writing scary stories and critiquing each other. I consider this to be my very first writer's room. We had no clue what we were doing but it was fun and it felt purposeful. I think this was the spark that pushed me to begin writing.
What genre do you prefer to write in? What draws you to that genre?
I'm a big fan of the dramedy genre, so shows like Atlanta and Insecure really float to the top for me. I love the way these writers can dig into the lives of the characters in ways that feel so relatable but also add color to the character's existential drama through integrating laugh out loud moments. I'm also really into sci-fi and fantasy but haven't delved into writing in these genres just yet. I'm so impressed by the world-building that sci-fi and fantasy writers engage in. It's incredible.
Tell us three things you're currently digging.
Book: Life Is In The Transitions - Bruce Feiler. This is an awesome read and has helped me to think about life differently. Things don't happen in a straight line. This sounds obvious but reading people's life stories really hammered this point home and alleviated some of the stress of always feeling like there's some direct path forward in life. There isn't.
Show: Black Is King! Beyonce... Enough said.
Food: Sun-Dried Tomato, Kale, and White Bean Skillet (I have made this so many times during quarantine!! Love it.)
What interested you about the Roadmap Diversity Initiative?
I really appreciate Roadmap Writer's intentional effort to support writers of color and to push for increasing diversity in the TV and film industry. Roadmap is really working to help writers cultivate their craft but also to connect them with opportunities to find representation and succeed in the industry. That's dope!
Where can we find you?
I'm not really on social media. I do have a Linkedin but I don't think that's the same thing. Funny enough, I actually started a Twitter account this morning and deleted it in all of twenty minutes. Within the first few moments of having the account, I ended up on a page of someone who had been doxxed and was being trolled. I got stressed, my anxiety grew, and I deactivated the account. Maybe I'll try Instagram again at some point. Lots of pretty pictures over there. lol.