I feel like two people in one body.

There’s the soul overwhelmed by a humanitarian catastrophe that just seems to worsen by the day. This soul wants to stay in, devour and avoid the news at the same time, hold my children close, pack boxes for Lebanon and Palestine full of old coats and canned tins.

The other one is so happy to finally fulfill a lifelong creative dream. My first novel is getting publishing in NYC! The cover is stunning! The preorder link is on Amazon! This soul wants to rejoice, meet with friends, go to events, wear glittery eyeshadow!

We have lived a life of extreme duality for over a year.

Functioning, half-functioning. How are you doing?

I’m trying to manage by taking comfort in my family, my friends, giving to charity, and the occasional nights out. I haven’t figured it out… but we need to keep reminding ourselves – and our kids – of the beauty that life can still hold.

Because joy and beauty sit on a bench right next to hope.

So thank you for allowing me the space to celebrate my book’s preorder link and cover. It was so wonderful and life affirming.

My wish is that spreading this positivity is a drop in the ocean to make things a little better down the line.

If enough of us string together these moments of happiness, maybe we can become the ocean itself.

Wishing fervently for peace - and happy Diwali to those who celebrate 🕯️

👻 Read: Spooky Stories

Do you read horror or thriller books? It’s not my thing, but I do love simmering tension in a story. Shirley Jackson is one of my all time favorite short story writers - if you haven’t read The Lottery, do so immediately. It is a perfect case study in writing suspense.

Here are two creepy books for you to read in the dark, beneath covers with a flashlight, on Halloween night:

Curdle Creek by Yvonne Battle-Felton

This gothic story is about a town with a strict policy: one person in, one person out.

The Militia House by John Milas

This horror novel is on my TBR list - it was nominated for the 2024 Shirley Jackson prize and is perfect for fans of Stephen King.

🕯️Write: Festival of Lights

Living in Dubai, with its proximity to India and its rich culture, means that we see several houses and stores all dressed up in lights to celebrate Diwali.

The festival is India’s largest, celebrating the victory of light over darkness.

What a beautiful and necessary message for our present times.

So for today’s inspiration, take a mindful moment and look for light. Write a few lines about it. Daylight, candle light, light filtering through tree leaves, spiritual light. Let your creativity play.

Inspire: Costumes for the Win

I am big on Halloween, always have been. Like, Claire Dunphy big.

This year, I’m a little at a loss because real life is enough of a horror show. We will be donating to this #TrickOrTreat4UNRWA campaign - check it out here.

In the meantime, here’s a carousel of epic costumes from Halloweens past that totally won awards when I was working at Google:

Browse: These Links

Random stuff from the Internet for your procrastinating pleasure:

• Elie Saab celebrates 45 years in fashion

• World’s first ‘official’ Blue Zone retreat in Costa Rica

• Bernadine Evaristo offers her Kent cottage as writers retreat for free

• Venice without the crowds (hint: avoid summer)

• 66 creative Halloween costume ideas

Countdown to My Novel’s Publication Day:

Thanks for reading! See you next week!

With kindness,

Sara