I Am Vanessa Moore

Sapphire I had little joy coming down to the island, and by the end of the summer I felt even less to return home. I missed my mother and I knew the sight of her face would have me thrilled, but I didn’t feel like I would miss my actual home. New York had a continuous layer of fog that didn’t exist in the West Indies. I wasn’t eager to be back under the grey tint, but I also couldn’t wait to brag…

Love and the Business: The Triangle Chapter Two

Taylor Everyone thought that my mother’s money was my money. My mother was well established before I ever released a single though. My mother was a very silent part of an elite circle, which was how she met my father in the first place. She was so quiet about everything she did, she even convinced my father that they should elope. She knew that his family would never accept her, and to save him…

Love and the Business: The Triangle Chapter One

Malik It was time to return to reality. That day after Sugar’s writing binge and meltdown, I drove back to my own place in Virginia. Her mother was with her so I knew that she would be fine. Sometimes I needed a moment to breathe, away from her. I had my own responsibilities. I hit the remote for the garage door when I pulled up to my house, and I could see my older brother Maurice tinkering with…

Love and the Business: The Triangle Introduction

SUGAR The sun was peeking through my vertical blinds as I finished writing my eighth song. Contractually, this album was to have fifteen songs, and it was due in three months. At the rate I was going, I would be done writing before the week was over, and if everyone played along, I could finish recording before the deadline as well. I stretched my arms and cracked my knuckles in front of me. My…

Love and the Business: The Triangle Introduction

SUGAR The sun was peeking through my vertical blinds as I finished writing my eighth song. Contractually, this album was to have fifteen songs, and it was due in three months. At the rate I was going, I would be done writing before the week was over, and if everyone played along, I could finish recording before the deadline as well. I stretched my arms and cracked my knuckles in front of me. My…

Love and the Business: The Triangle Chapter Two

Taylor Everyone thought that my mother’s money was my money. My mother was well established before I ever released a single though. My mother was a very silent part of an elite circle, which was how she met my father in the first place. She was so quiet about everything she did, she even convinced my father that they should elope. She knew that his family would never accept her, and to save him…

Dating, Love, Sex; The Good, The Bad, The Crazy: Lies You Tell

“Vanessa did you see that NY&Co sale? You could probably make use of it if you paid off your card,” Evelyn said loudly with her eyes on her phone. “Shush!” Vanessa chastised, as her eyes darted towards the hallway. “What?” Evelyn asked. “Adam thinks I paid that shit off,” Vanessa said in a hostile hush. “You gotta be kidding me,” said Monique, slapping her forhead. “I thought you paid it off…

Project Writing Coach (Copy)

A series of video calls via Zoom with Vanessa Moore.

Project Writing Coach (Copy)

A series of video calls via Zoom with Vanessa Moore.

Project Writing Coach (Copy)

A series of video calls via Zoom with Vanessa Moore.

A series of video calls via Zoom with Vanessa Moore.

Dating, Love, Sex; The Good, The Bad, The Crazy: You Scared of a Thornless Rose?

Evelyn carefully carried the pans of food out to her backyard as if she were tiptoeing. Vanessa followed behind her just as quiet with several ice cold jars of sangria. “Why are y’all moving like you’re sneaking?” Monique asked. Vanessa snickered. “Evelyn’s in trouble.” “I am not in trouble,” said Evelyn, “I’m a grown woman.” “A grown woman whose husband is pissed at her.” “Ugh,” Evelyn groaned.…

Love and the Business: The Triangle Chapter One

Malik It was time to return to reality. That day after Sugar’s writing binge and meltdown, I drove back to my own place in Virginia. Her mother was with her so I knew that she would be fine. Sometimes I needed a moment to breathe, away from her. I had my own responsibilities. I hit the remote for the garage door when I pulled up to my house, and I could see my older brother Maurice tinkering…

Dating, Love, Sex; The Good, The Bad, The Crazy: Rodney Peed in Bottles, Russel Peed Everywhere

“This summer was such a bust,” said Pam as she sipped her concoction of Moscato, ginger ale, and pineapple vodka. “I won’t exactly say that” said Monique, “I needed to get back to seeing all of your faces on a regular basis, and I have that again. So I’m good. It could’ve been worse.” This weekend, the ladies were hanging out on Pam’s balcony, with various bottles of white and rose wines, as well…

Dating, Love, Sex; The Good, The Bad, The Crazy: Pursuit of the Crown

“Y’know, I write Black love because it’s so lit…” Vanessa said as she sipped her Sauvignon Blanc and eyed Tarsha and Simone’s brief and subtle display of affection. Tarsha caught her eye and winked. Simone said good night to the ladies and headed out for her own Friday night chill time. “Y’all really do have one of the best love stories,” said Evelyn, picking up the vibe, and nodding towards…

Diamond For days my heart felt like it had a hole in it. I kept replaying the moment in my mind when I entered the studio and that bitch was all over Cory. He called me every morning, texted all day, and called every night, but I didn’t answer. I thought about blocking his number, but instead I blocked him on social media. I liked watching him beg for the forgiveness that I wasn’t sure I would…

Dating, Love, Sex; The Good, The Bad, The Crazy: Two in Twenty-four

While Covid continued to rock the outside world, the ladies created their own Corona hang out bubble and resumed Friday Vino nights. After their reunion, there was no denying how much they relied on each other’s energy. Monique smiled to herself as everyone sat comfortably on her terrace, joking, slapping high-fives, and clinking their glasses. One thing Covid did in her favor was shut down her…