I wanted to be Regal

If there is a book that you want to read, then you must write it.

On the day Toni Morrison passed, episode nine of Rwebel Radio was set to air. Initially, I was going to sound off on some topic before I gave listeners a glimpse at my upcoming book. Then, I heard the news, and I pushed the episode back by a week: 1) so I could grieve and 2) to add a tribute in the episode.

Since this episode was dedicated to my new book, it would feel disingenuous not to honor someone whose quote has narrated my entire literary career.

If there is a book you want to read, then you must write it, I whisper to myself as I sift through the 200+ pages in the current draft of Chaos and Magic. Yes, you read that right. Two hundred pages. Spoiler alert: this novel won’t be like those first two. They were simply a reflection of where I was at in 2015. This novel is an examination of where I am now mixed with where my people have been (although ahistorical shows neglect to mention that).

Like the Mo’s Mix series, Chaos and Magic is autobiographical, meaning it has some semblance to my life, but it is not an autobiography. It is a fictional text exploring what the world would look like if Black women were in charge. In other words, it is the resistance, as told by Black women of the past, present, and future.

When Chaos and Magic goes to 2019 Chicago, this is where it gets autobiographical.

A photo of me with my new award for being a community leader and sash (that scrunched up white thing you see on my shirt)

PHOTO: Adrienne Plummer

Last week, I was an award recipient at a luncheon hosted by the Chicago-based non- profit Beautiful Seed Foundation for Young Women of Color. In my biography, I wrote that I am currently working on a novel that will examine the role of Black women in ancient Black societies. When the speaker read this out, cheers emitted around the room. Cheers – for me and mine. In this moment, I felt an unexpected sense of belonging.

Granted, I was in a room full of mostly Black women, and I was accepting an award from a non- profit founded by a trailblazing Black woman.

As we convened to recognize young leaders across Chicago, I remembered why I started writing my ambitious novel: Black women deserve a book like Chaos and Magic.

After getting into Game of Thrones, I quickly realized the show wasn’t for *us* (Black people). One of my biggest criticisms of the show is that the recurring Black characters (Missandei and Greyworm) had storylines revolving around slavery (as if that is the only part of ancient Black history that is known).

Deep in my heart, I know there is more to the story. I know we were (and still are) regal. In order to fight the blatant erasure of Black history, I took on the task of creating Chaos and Magic.

Sometime in 2018, I pivoted to focusing heavily on Black women because I feel like healing should always starts with women (since we have historically been marginalized).

Hyrax Aten, the Princess of Chala, becomes a Free Woman.

PHOTO: Javanna Plummer

After taking on this task, I asked myself, “What would happen if we ruled the world?” Then, I began writing. At times, it felt hopeless, and I wanted to quit, until I saw the ending of Game of Thrones.

When I watched Missandei get a harsher death than Cersei Lannister, I realized that I could not stop writing my book. Like I said, Black women deserve a book like Chaos and Magic. I just hope I do us proud. ~ ℝ

Read an exclusive excerpt of “Chaos and Magic” in the Pen House.