I wasn’t sure how to begin my first blog post for this new, updated website. I wanted it to be impactful and informative — to capture everything I hope to achieve with Raven & Quill Publishing and the ways I want to support the dreams of writers and small business owners. There were many sensible topics I could have chosen: why I love working with authors and entrepreneurs, what my services entail, or even a deep dive into my favourite books.

I’ll probably write those one day. But not today.

Because this morning, I had coffee with an extraordinary woman. Her name is Jo Chehab, and she is the author of several published short stories and a screenplay in Arabic. Her first novel, inspired by her memories raising her family in a country repeatedly torn apart by war, is well underway.

She shared a few of her short stories with me, and reading them, I was brought to tears. Her writing is raw and evocative; her experiences, visceral. Her stories draw you so immediately into her vividly painted landscape of sound and smell and emotion that you swear you can almost feel the protagonist’s heart pounding in your own chest.

Yet woven through every piece is a profound sense of grace—a silent plea to rise above prejudice, break free from multi-generational grudges, and connect to the humanness in one another. Even after all she has endured, or perhaps because of it, Jo instinctively strives for connection and peace.

Many of us write because we are compelled to. I believe that compulsion exists because the world needs to hear our voices, our stories. As Jo spoke more about her life and her work, I was reminded again of why stories matter so much. They create connections, bridging the gaps between our individual perspectives. They allow us to step into another’s shoes, walk the roads of each other’s lives, and see things through a new set of eyes.

Stories reflect who we are, and allow us to see into the hearts and minds of others. Most importantly, they remind us that we are not alone.  In my most idealistic, fantastical dreams, they help foster an understanding and hopefully, bring us closer to peace – in every sense of the word. I’m excited about Jo’s novel for all of these reasons.

Meeting with Jo today reminded me that our stories and our dreams are more important, and have more of a positive ripple effect, than we will ever know. So keep dreaming, and keep writing.

Chehab, Jo. “Beirut Story.” Harbour: Stories by Australian Writers 1993, edited by George Papaellinas, Picador, 1993, pp. 99-118.”