Hannah

I miss sharing things.

[honeyistheknife]

[honeyistheknife]

Hey there. Happy International Woman’s Day. I’ll be taking a break in Instagramland to focus on revision and drafting work. I can’t wait to share it with you. I’ll still be dutifully sending out my moonletter—you can subscribe via the link in my bio or at hannaheko.substack.com If you’re looking to start or finish your book, I offer developmental editing and 1:1 coaching to help you get there. Check the link in my bio to learn more. The next @womenwritingweedandwine is April 2nd. We’ll be discussing Desire. Again, the link to sign up and get to know what the class is about is in my bio. I have a handy “Contact Me” function at my website. Also, I believe email is the modern day love letter. That’s all for now. Keep sending me cute memes and stuff. It’ll be nice to see once I return. May you find rest and comfort. Love, Hannah • #hannaheko #honeyistheknife #bookcoach #bookcoaching #writingcoach #writingcoaching (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca3ZfTrrwjU/?utm_medium=tumblr

[honeyistheknife]

🎉You are invited to a literary bonanza🎊 Who: Blogger, writer, & activist @dfordarkoa presented by @whitewhalebks When: The Year of Our Goddess Two Thousand and Twenty-Two on March 8th at 4 pm (EST) Where: Zoomland What: Deep & delightful conversation about @dfordarkoa groundbreaking book, The Sëx Lives of African Women with your literary hostess, Hannah Eko. Attire: Something that makes you feel deeply you in all your sensual, intellectual glory. RSVP via the link in my bio. ✌🏿 • #hannaheko #honeyistheknife #bookcoach #blackfeminism #blackfeminist #writingcoach #amwritingnonfiction #selfhelpbooksforwomen #africanwriters #blackwomenauthors #blackwomanauthor #nanadarkoasekyiamah #thesexlivesofafricanwomen #blackbookstagram #blackbookstagrammer #blackfemme #qpoc #bipocartists #pleasureactivism (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca1IPyYLmIp/?utm_medium=tumblr

[honeyistheknife]

Wowza! I’ll be in conversation with @dfordarkoa author of #thesexlivesofafricanwomen on March 8th. Make your Tuesday more than the day before hump (pun intended) day—come join us on Zoom at 4 pm EST this Tuesday. There’s a lot going on in the world. We’re all basically going through some spectrum of second-hand trauma. I know. I *still* think we always deserve to make room for pleasure. ‘Pleasure isn’t just for perfect times or perfect people. It’s for right now. @dfordarkoa has written an absolutely beautiful book and if you haven’t read it yet—you need to. Her work brings warmth and so much complexity to African female s*xuality. You’ll walk away forever changed. See you there! Love, Hannah • #hannaheko #honeyistheknife #bookcoach #writingcoach #blackwomanwriters #bipocbooks #blackbookstagram #blackbookstagrammer #blackwomanauthor #nonfictionreads #amwritingnonfiction #africanwomanwriter #africanwriters #africanwriter (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CavrdSoL6nu/?utm_medium=tumblr

[honeyistheknife]

I was a bit embarrassed to call @honeyistheknifebook a self-help book at first. “Great, now no one will ever take my writing seriously and all my PhD friends will be like 🙄” But, after some time it was like girl—stop: @honeyistheknifebook is a self-help book. *Alternative* self-help, but self-help nonetheless. I always wanted to see a self-help boom that was zany and complex and delightful and not going to tell me that the key to my happiness was a set of affirmations and an amethyst. I wanted to see self-help that lived in reality. I’ve read some terrible self-help. Books so tone deaf they make Tucker Carlson look quaint. But I’ve also read some amazing self-help guides. Sisters of the Yam, C*nt, Radical Compassion, Shadows on the Path… @honeyistheknifebook places my experience at center: a nerdy, hyper-sensitive Black second generation woman—not because it’s the only experience (lol) but because the more specific you get, the more you expand into stories beyond the self. My story is unique—but it is not special. I want to be loved just like you. I want to love just like you. I want to be free like you want to be free. I want to hope like you long to hope. I struggle just like you. @honeyistheknifebook is my love letter to all our gorgeous, messy selves. It’s on the way…. • #hannaheko #honeyistheknife #bookcoach #developmentaleditor #writingcoach #selfhelpbook #selfhelpbooksforwomen (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cat8nfRLosO/?utm_medium=tumblr

[honeyistheknife]

The Queen of Basketball 🏀 This is the late Luisa Harris. She made history as a three time national champion before the WNBA existed and was the first woman to score a basket in the Olympics. She and so many unsung women, are the reason I played basketball for over a decade of my life from NJB to Division III. Her story is brilliant, beautiful, sad, and joyous. You can watch the 21 minute documentary on The NY Times website and on YouTube. • #womenshistorymonth #blackwomenhistory #basketballgirls #hannaheko #honeyistheknife #bookcoach #writingcoach (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CandMQivxWq/?utm_medium=tumblr

[honeyistheknife]

Don’t be like the Tinder Swindler. I know that you’re not exactly using our DMs to write poetry but if someone sends you a series of very vague one liners every day you can be sure that they are either putting in the lowest effort ever and/or sending your “special morning text” out to a gaggle of others. Scam artists are immoral and everything, but lord do they embody the adage of “work smarter not harder”. They are the kings and queens of plug and play. Your voice and experience are unique. If you can easily transmit your specific intro or bio to another paper or person, then your writing needs detail and is probably falling flat. Meaning, the uniqueness of your experience and your voice is not showing up. So: get specific, hone in on details, pay attention to senses, paint a picture in your reader’s mind. This is how you up level any personal writing from Tinder profile to memoir 😉. I write a weeklyish newsletter. It’s eclectic and inspiring and raw and weird.💜 It’s the synthesis of what I know helps writers, artists, and creative human beings create more of what they want in the world. To sign up, see the link in my bio or go to hannaheko.substack.com ✌🏿 • #hannaheko #honeyistheknife #bookcoach #writingcoach #specificwriting (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CanQlsnvOH3/?utm_medium=tumblr

[honeyistheknife]

I want white people to be well. I want men to be well. I want rich people to be well. I want heads of state and war mongers to be well. I want murderers, rapists, and abusers to be well. My desire is sort of greedy—I want them to be well because when they are well they don’t cause as much hell on earth. My desire is for me too. I would not wish the feelings of greed, selfishness, loneliness, violence on anyone. And I cannot imagine the burden of making those feelings your identity. I wish everyone well. My focus is on my own wellness. We are not responsible for anyones behavior. Their work is their work. We may be temporary guardians of vulnerable human beings like children, elders, and the infirm—but we do not own them. Their behavior is not our cause. I wish everyone well because I want this world to be well. And I want to be well. How much someone else wants wellness is not under my control. And what will help them heal is not up to me to decide outside the law. I can only wish them well. I can only do my part. I wish you wellness. Love, Hannah • #writerwednesday #writersgram #writersblog #writersworld #writerswrite #writerquotes #writersofinstagram #writersworkshop #writingideas #writingproblems #writingtime #writinghelp #writingclass #writingcoach #hannaheko #honeyistheknife (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Caf3Jr3v1h-/?utm_medium=tumblr

[honeyistheknife]

When I look at black women, I see a complicated dance of beauty, creativity, ingenuity, bravery, and compassion. I’m so happy that in this time and space continuum, when I could’ve been anything, I was made into a black woman. As a black woman, we are often in resistance. Honey is what helps me love and live with more ease. I used to think honey came from denying pain. Or that someday, I’d magically be rescued into another life. I used to believe I had to be perfect or do BIG things. I wrote @honeyistheknifebook during a pandemic, on the heels of what could’ve been a total nervous breakdown. I was back living at home, reckoning with all the ways I’ve tried to outrun myself through rejection and overwhelm. I was meeting all the ways I ignored my own truth in place of someone else’s. I know that the journey of coming home will not be over until I take my last breath. We are on the frontlines of gender, racial, and anti-human wars that will outlast us, even as we make tremendous gains and progress. We are not an easily defeated entity, us black and woman. But we still deserve to dance. This is what Osun and her honey teaches me, what she can teach all of us. I am no Ifa initiate. My Yoruba is meh. I do not carry the precise dance moves of Janet, nor was I blessed with the vibranium knees of Megan Thee Stallion. But I do have a dance in my soul. And so do you. • #hannaheko #honeyistheknife #bookcoach #writingcoach #developmentaleditor (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CafeaOBPgdJ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[honeyistheknife]

I officially became an anti-racist in 7th grade at Imperial Middle School. It was sad & fun—we discussed stereotypes, the history of racism, and had Little Caesars 🍕 for lunch. I’ve been in the world of anti-racism for a long long time: as a “diversity & inclusion” specialist, scholar, artist, and yoga teacher. And sometimes, I really do wonder. Like: clearly this enterprise has been going on for hundreds of years and it’s a carryover from all the things human beings use to demean other human beings. And clearly, Black people have been placed at the bottom of this f*cked up pyramid and racism is complicated by things like money, color, national origin, prettiness. I don’t think we talk enough about how deeply spiritually toxic racism is—how primitive it is on a soul level. Like when I see “spiritual teachers” & “gurus” who ignore race, I’m like whoa—spiritual bypass much? But also: anti-racism can sort of be a trap sometimes. We spend so much time fighting and “educating” racist people (who don’t give a f*ck), that we lose precious time for our own dreams. It’s like being in the worst kind of unhealthy, toxic relationship, but this time it’s collective and your ex is white supremacy. Anti-racism becomes a trap when instead of bringing us closer to the lives we want to live, we are mired in scarcity, fear, and worry. I’ve spent too much of my time obsessed with racism. Part of this is because I love humanity and think racism is an evolutionary blight. But part of this obsession is because anti-racism is a GREAT distraction from doing my actual work. It’s the ever giving gobstopper of attention sucks. I want my activism to look differently from here on it. Instead of feeding the beast, I will starve it. I will rest, soothe, care, and please my body. I will write and change for the better. I’ll connect in love with other humans and party with a purpose. I’ll make 7th grade Hannah proud for the next step of her anti-racism journey. I refuse to do the dirty work. I refuse to pretend that racism is all of who I am. I resist by doing the work God & Goddess put me on this earth to do. What energy suck do you want to transform? (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Caadj23Py_c/?utm_medium=tumblr

[honeyistheknife]

Everyone starts with a sh*tty first draft. Whether you’re writing a bio, essay, or book. The Sh*tty First Draft was coined by the writer Anne Lamott & refers to our first go at writing. It’s the drafts which still needs work. It’s full of plot holes, two-dimensional characters, vague sentences, clichéd platitudes, sophomoric language. During the Sh*tty First Draft: You’ll write stuff you’ll cringe at. You’ll write stuff that makes you question whether you should keep going. You’ll write stuff that lets you know that you’re not the untouchable genius you believed you were in your head. And this is normal. The sh*tty first (or second or twelfth) draft is required. You know how people say there’s no dress rehearsal for life? Or “no mud, no lotus”? Yeah, it’s like that. There’s no preparation for writing, beyond writing. & Sometimes you have to write absolute sh*t to get to your gold. There’s always room to revise and edit afterwards. This is what coaches & editors like me are for: I help writers evolve from that beautiful, sh*tty first draft into your creative vision. But the first part is on you. Take a slow breath in. Start small. Maybe set a timer. Dare to write sh*t. If you want writing and life advice that blends the magical & the practical, sign up for my weeklyish moonletter newsletter—the link is in my bio or at hannahoeko.com/newsletter • #writingabook #writingpromptsdaily #writingprocess #writingislove #writingskills #writingislife #writinggoals #writingday #writingtip #writingthefuture #writingcontest #writingmystory #writingmood #writingsession #hannaheko #honeyistheknife #developementalediting #bookcoach (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaaU2UZPhaa/?utm_medium=tumblr

[honeyistheknife]

I’m having a party next Saturday. (March 5th at 12 pm PST for those of you who like specifics…) It’s called @womenwritingweedandwine It’s like a c@nn@bis brunch and a writing workshop had a baby. There will be playful & weird writing prompts! And positive sharing! And a fun playlist where we do writer yoga (no more tight shoulders!) And a signature cocktail 🍹! And philanthropy (10% of your ticket goes to a c@nn@bis non-profit)! I’d love to have your adventurous, open spirit in our virtual playground. If you want to have fun AND write (who knew?!), then you’ll wanna be here. Sign up via the link in my bio and DM me if you have any questions. (And @womenwritingweedandwine happens every first Saturday, so don’t be 😔 if you can’t make it this go around…) (And also: it’s not just for women and stoners! I just love alliteration a lot 😉) ✌🏿 • #reclaimyourpower #blackwomenwriters #blackbookstagram #blackhippie #iamwriting #authorcommunity #nonfictionbooks #blackwomanmagic #blackauthor #selfhelpbooks #qpoc #blackgirlmagic✨#blackfemme #pleasurepositive #cbdfacts #hannaheko #honeyistheknife (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaXvfagv8gr/?utm_medium=tumblr

[honeyistheknife]

Did you know… Writing (on the page) is the easiest thing in the world: you pick up your pen, pencil, start typing. You write. The End. But, what happens *before* you write (off the page) is where the REAL magic (and misery) happens. Performance anxiety, dread, perfectionism, & pressure will make writing hard as hell. These feelings will lead to hating what you write, bitter comparison, writer’s block, and never starting or finishing your book. And we don’t want that. We want you to write with ease and flow—even when sh*t gets hard. We want you to share a book with us that makes YOU all excited so we can be excited with you. 😊😀 We want you to start and finish your book. So, when writing is hard, please don’t make it worse by being hard on yourself. Take a deep slow breath. Take a pause if needed. And also yourself: what’s happening off the page that’s keeping me from writing today? How can I take the smallest step to be with all my feelings? I know what it’s like to struggle with writing. I also know what it’s like to create work I’m proud of, get published, and finish write a book. I’m an editor and a book coach who will help you get started and get it done. Sign up for my moonletter newsletter at hannahoeko.com/newsletter to stay connected. • #writerwednesday #writersgram #writersblog #writersworld #writerswrite #writerquotes #writersofinstagram #writersworkshop #writingideas #writingproblems #writingtime #hannaheko #honeyistheknife #writinghelp #writingclass #writingcoach #authorcommunity #nonfictionbooks #blackwomanmagic #blackauthor #selfhelpbooks (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaVn_kovALT/?utm_medium=tumblr

[honeyistheknife]

How do like to wake? With sudden alarms clanging alarms? Someone shouting in your ear? How about reveille and an ice cold water hose to the face? Awakening is a holy process and most of us treat it like a surprise party from hell. Some of us are so woke we need to go back to sleep. We need to awaken to truth in a way our body craves. Personally, I need alarms. I’m a deep sleeper. I prefer gentler sounds and waking up to natural light. I love having time to stretch and linger before rushing off to start my day. I am waking up with intention and respect to my body. When we awaken to the lies of harm and hurt, there is a tendency to go full throttle. And to awaken others with brash words and harsh alarms. I understand the rage and the restlessness, I really do. We do not need to ALWAYS Yell Scream Blame Shout Push to get woke. (And if the only way someone can hear you is by yelling, then they are just showing you how numb they are to their own experience, let alone yours). Maybe this 2.22.22 we can let go of the “woke” ways which permeate harm. Maybe we can do something even deeper than staying woke. Maybe we can awaken. Some months ago I wrote a 18 page guide about navigating your spiritual awakening. It’s inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas and it includes journal prompts to help you turn your existential crisis into your spiritual awakening. Visit my website at hannahoeko.com if you want to download the guide. Happy 2.22.22! • #writersworkshop #writingideas #writingproblems #writingtime #hwritinghelp #writingclass #writingcoach #writingpoetry #writingabook #writingpromptsdaily #writingprocess ##writingislove #writingskills #writingislife #spiritualawakening #hannaheko #honeyistheknife #existentialcrisis (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaTUjtzFl17/?utm_medium=tumblr

[honeyistheknife]

I can’t promise you Mr. or Mrs. Right. But, your bio will be very tight. Why does Sucky Dating Profile suck? Let us count the ways: *The tone (the mood and voice) is assholish and condescending *Reads very impersonal (it’s like a PSA address) *The interest section is bland AF (what does “enjoy life” look like? Cake decorating classes? Drug use? Who knows!) *Too focused on what they *don’t* (we get it, you’re tired of being “scammed” by seggs workers—don’t make it everyone else’s problem) -The height thing is 🥱 Your dating profile doesn’t need to take you long or be perfect. It’s not a spell or a shopping list. & we do know most people are looking at your pics. But for the keepers who actually do read and for those of you who are dating with more intention, a good bio is key. It’s your introduction, your hand shake, your “hi, nice to meet you.” Keys to a good dating profile: *Act like you’re speaking to one person—get personal and voice-y *Be specific and talk about the things most important to YOU in terms of hobbies & interests (that you’d like to share with someone else) *Speak to what you want (and manage your expectations—these are humans who you literally just met) *Bonus: Use one sentence to offer a specific date, drink, or dinner idea Want a profile or Artist statement that sounds more like you? Check out my website for details or DM me to learn more. 💕 • #bookcoach #datinginyour30s #datinginyour40s #personalwriting #datingonline #writingcoach #dating101 (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaQ2wDvr_mn/?utm_medium=tumblr

[honeyistheknife]

Your bio is your written handshake. It should feel like a literary embodiment of your essence. It should feel like a well-rounded introduction, the debunte ball of you. I help writers, artists, and other amazing human beings craft personal statements, bios, vows, and profiles that feel like *you*. DM me to learn more and let’s get that bio shining 💡 • #writerwednesday #writersgram #writersblog #writersworld #writerswrite #writerquotes #writersofinstagram #writersworkshop #writingideas #writingproblems #writingtime #hwritinghelp #writingclass #writingcoach #hannaheko #honeyistheknife #bookcoach (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaQZjGcPOxc/?utm_medium=tumblr

[honeyistheknife]

Slow breath in. Slow breath out. It’s very (very) hard to build capacity during a catastrophe. It’d be like trying to meditate while your house was on literal fire. Kinda hard, no? Many of us live in bodies constantly on edge, primed for survival. Our nerves are like ☠️ Your body doesn’t need self-care when it’s like this, it needs self soothing. (Which is why you do soothing things like vegging out in front of Netflix, eating McDonalds, making Wednesday Wine night every day of the week, etc.) I’m sure many of you have found it harder to write during the pandemic. It’s like the Wild Wild West of a dystopian prequel. And it makes total sense. Your body doesn’t want to stress itself writing, it wants a blunt and a 3 hour nap. Be kind to your soothing habits. They’re the key to what your body really needs: rest, connection, relaxation, sleep, energy, etc. Focus on giving your body those things (this is the part where we do the self care adult thing) even *as* you continue your self soothing habits. Your “bad” habits will taper off as you build capacity. You don’t have to go from 0 to 180 (you’ll *probably* just freak out your system even more and wind up right back where you’re at…) And remind yourself of where you’re heading. Slow breath in. Slow breath out. Relax your jaw, the space between your brows. Let your shoulders drop. Be kind to your body. You are building your capacity for love. 💕 Hannah • #womenliftingwomen #womenlovewomen #womenleaders #womenlivingwell #womenleadership #womenlove #womenlovingwomen #womenlivesmatter #womenlife #womenled #womenlifestyle #hannaheko #honeyistheknife #bookcoach #writingcoach (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaOP78Er4E0/?utm_medium=tumblr