It is every writer’s prerogative to write what they like; it has always been so. But it is also each writer’s duty to ensure they have the necessary skills to write what they like; with great power must come even greater responsibility.

So, then, if one wants to write a historical novel, they are welcome to do so; but they must ensure that their grasp of history—its facts, its causes, and its consequences—are keenly and truthfully observed.

It is not the responsibility of the reader to be receptive, supportive, or understanding; the writer must do the work necessary to convince the reader that their work is worth investing time in.

This has always been the case in art: the artists must make a case for themselves.

This unwritten pact binds even harder, like sunset and the oncoming evening—one must give way to the other.

POSTSCRIPT: Have you heard the one about the writer who, while seeking the slow life filled with reading and writing, decided to adopt two Staffordshire Bullshit Terrorist puppies? Yeah, it’s a good one.

READ—Books: The Broken Earth Trilogy: The Fifth Season, The Obelisk Gate, and The Stone Sky by N. K. Jemisin • The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje | Short fiction: “A Doctor, A Lawyer, An Engineer, Or An Embarrassment To The Family” by Mubanga Kalimamukwento (adda) | Long-form nonfiction: “Pretend” by Mubanga Kalimukwento (The Ex-Puritan) • “How To Break The Heart Of A Writer” by Chuma Nwokolo • “On Killing Charles Dickens” (The New Yorker) and “I Get In Trouble When I Talk About The State Of The Nation” (The Guardian) by Zadie Smith | Poetry: “If They Should Come For Us” and “Pluto Shits On The Universe” by Fatimah Asghar (Poetry Foundation) • “Immigrant Blues” by Li-Young Lee (Poetry Foundation) • “A Litany For Survival” by Audre Lorde (Poetry Foundation) • “Drowning Manifesto” by Tala Abu Rahmeh (Dreamers Writing) | Visual art: “Lovesick” by Nsikanabasi Effiong (Lolwe) • “Memory Of Ache” by Amarachi Nnoli (Lolwe) • “What Is My Colour” by Ella Skills (Lolwe) • “To Fable The Ori” by Daisy Serena & Sergio Silva (Doek!) | WATCH—Documentary: A Day In The Life Of The #1 Barbecue In Texas (2022) • Black And Female: Tsitsi Dangarembga In Conversation (2023) • Chimamnda Adichie’s Speech at Humboldt Forum (2022) • A Day At Rockerfeller Center’s Legendary Cocktail Bar (2023) • Inside A Mansion Built On The Edge Of An Abandoned Quarry (2023) | Film: In Bruges (2008) • AIR (2023) • Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023) | Series and miniseries: Echo 3 (2022) • Andor, season 1 (2023) • The Bear, season 2 (2023) • Bloodhounds (2023) • The Last Of Us (2023) •  The Mandalorian, season 3 (2023) | LISTEN—Music and playlists: “I’m In Love With You” (the original and BBC Live Lounge version) by The 1975 • “Gangsta’s Paradise” (Slowed & Reverb) by Coolio • “Soundtrack Of The Disconnect” from The Eternal Audience of One • “Busy Earnin’” and “Keep Moving” by JUNGLE | PLAY: Horizon: Forbidden West (2022) | TRY: housetraining two Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies—it isn’t for the faint of heart.