Should I be collaborating with artists of color solely because of their race and my politics? This question is weighted with my own worry that I have been invited to speak or collaborate solely because of my race, and not because of my abilities.

When I do book readings, I always incorporate music or singing.

I recently did a reading at an elementary school in Ottawa, and one of the children asked me if I was a girl. I said yes. Another child commented that I had a deep voice. I responded: "Can girls have deep voices?" There was a pause and then the group responded, "Yes!"

I especially worry about the ways Canadians can be glib about our supposed difference from the US in our "acceptance" of "diversity."

Writing about racism requires a directness that writing a love story does not.

When I was writing, I wanted every word to be not only deliberate, but musical. Precious.

As a person of color, I know race can't be stripped from admiration or preference.