Writers in Wartime
We’re all watching a shocking invasion unfold. I’ve been following Ukrainians who live with explosions, sirens, and possible sudden flight. One of them is a writer. I’m wondering what I can do to help.
This morning, I went to my favorite writing channel on Youtube, the Self-Publishing Formula podcast and watched an interview with Ukrainian science fiction writer Anton Eine. I was moved to see that my favorite writing community is helping boost his books. Like millions, Anton had to flee with his family to a safer place. He’s still in Ukraine, working and waiting to see if his government will ask him to stop working and pick up a gun.
He said, “Something incredible is happening to people in Ukraine—they got united.” That seems to be happening not just in Ukraine, but around the world. Watch the interview here, Writers Without Borders.
Anton Eine has published several science fiction novels. Find them on Amazon. As a science fiction/fantasy writer, I’m inspired that our self-published writing community gave his books some love. You can help him by buying a book.
#WarCoffee
Every day on Twitter I share coffee with a woman named Yaroslava. She writes about her daily life in war-torn Ukraine, calling her diary #War Coffee. She hopes that through the details of her disrupted life she can connect with us around the world. Yaroslava invites comments, photos of our lives, and conversation. It’s become a lively, supportive community. Join in – follow @strategywoman on Twitter.
Yaroslava wants to affirm our unity as one world. It’s an amazing account via the basics of her life—coffee, work, and the sounds of sirens, other people snoring, and families sharing small spaces.
To help Ukraine, Donate to White Pony Express
A food rescue program dear to me has set up a conduit for humanitarian aid to Ukrainian refugees in Europe. You can help: Support Ukraine. Donations will send new medical supplies, hygiene products, and toiletries, over-the-counter medications, non-perishable food items, high-quality new clothing, undergarments, shoes, and diapers, to help the millions of refugees who have fled Ukraine.
Bravery Hides Nothing
There is nothing courage hides behind.
Not a mop of hair, or skin pulled tight
above a tightened jaw
where trembling shows
but doesn’t stop a defiant speech.
This is bravery’s voice:
quivering even after a lifetime
of assaults, self-proved, knowing
where power truly lives.
It’s visible in the eyes
of someone you find you trust.
Who doesn’t put a hand over your mouth
and shove a knife into your side.
When mettle becomes your middle name
you inhabit a foreign strength
the way refugees shelter together
in rooms littered with chunks of concrete,
listening to each other snore,
startled by sirens falling silent.
Drinking your war coffee
with the worldwide web
in your shaking hand.
Rachel Dacus 3/17/2022
*****
My books on Amazon.