By Dylan Deprey
“Bitter” dives headfirst into Dye’s tumultuous relationships and dark past. (Photo by Michelle McAdams)
In the second grade, Diana “Dye” Mora wrote a book about a bunny, and read it to her class.
It was in that moment, she realized her dream was to be a published author. Although she couldn’t imagine the twisted path it would take to get there, she always dreamed of having her story published.
In the eighth grade she started writing poetry as a way to express herself. Her father died when she was young and she had a rocky relationship with her mother. Her journals were the only way to share her true feelings with the world, no matter how dark or heavy.
From getting kicked out of MPS to becoming a teen mom, she continued to pen her pleasures and pain. As she grew to love poetry and Shakespeare, she also began ghostwriting for other individuals, one of which became her boyfriend.
After a nasty break-up and a lot of soul searching, she promised herself that she was going to put herself first and finally write her book. She dove into her old journals, reliving and reminiscing over her unread poetry.
“I was constantly losing myself, so when I finally found myself, it was like, ‘Now, I can write about it,’ so it’s the past mixed with who I am today,” Mora said.
“Bitter” is the two-part culmination of her tumultuous relationship alongside flashbacks from her past journal entries.
Diana “Dye” Mora is finally living her dream and releasing “Bitter.” (Photo by Michelle McAdams)
“I’m really trying to paint a picture of what’s really happening behind closed doors for some inner-city Milwaukee women,” Mora said. “I’m trying to show what it’s like and what it does to women because we lose ourselves when we don’t have what we’re supposed to have.”
She said it took a lot of courage for her to share some of her most intimate thoughts from some of her darkest moments in life.
“I’m not too excited about the release because I’m going to be vulnerable. I don’t know what people are going to say about me. It is what it is though, I’m ready,” Mora said. “I just think the world needs strong women who aren’t afraid to tell their story and share their secrets.”
“Strong Women” is the theme of her “All Things Bitter” release party on July, 13, 2019. She said it was a thank you to the supportive group of females in her life that inspire her. She said she was reluctant at first, but she eventually went all out.
Basia Spencer, a family friend and local business owner offered Basia Rose Designs to host the event.
“I think as black women, we need to be helping each other because I might be a seamstress and she might be an author, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do this together,” Spencer said. “I’m all for helping other women whether it’s just being a resource to them or a referral, I’m for it.”
Next door to Basia Rose Designs, Mora has her own signature drink throughout the week at Shindig Coffee. Fans can get a taste of “Dye’s Love Story Smoothie,” and have a chance to win a prize.
The event is hosted by Ley Ley and there will also be a performance by local rapper, Ar Wesley. Mora is also having friends and local poets perform, including: Jeronica Brister, Brit Nicole, Kween Lotus and Shaun Flow.
“At first I didn’t want to do a release party, but I have all these strong black women in the community helping me out, I can’t let them down,” Mora said.
She said the event was a tribute to her daughter. It was a message that everyone can overcome any obstacle and achieve their dream, especially if that dream is becoming a published author.
“I want my daughter to follow her dreams, not work a nine-to-five or have to be waking up struggling, or just doing how I have to do. You have something and you were put here to do that,” Mora said.
