You can imagine the joy in my heart when I read a book dedicated to helping women dive into who they indeed are beyond the surface. This book is 280 pages filled with inspiration, encouragement, and reflection. Kristina serves as your therapist in a genie bottle while giving you hope that happiness, joy, and peace are right on the other side of healing.
Navigate the chapters of this book to discover your true identity, finding your truth while getting off the day-to-day need to remain on auto-pilot while never genuinely dealing with the issues that we have within. This book is a must-read for every entrepreneur who desires to live a Flawesome life unapologetically. Join me in becoming #BecomingFlawesome by grabbing your copy of this fantastic book.
Learn more about the author of this fantastic book here:
Kristina Mand-Lakhiani is an international speaker, entrepreneur, artist, philanthropist, and mother of 2 kids. As a co-founder of Mind valley, a leading publisher in the personal growth industry, Kristina dedicated the last 20 years of her career to personal transformation learning from teachers like Michael Beckwith, Bob Proctor, Lisa Nichols, and many more. She started her career in a government office in her native Estonia and, by her mid-20s, achieved a level of success mostly known to male politicians at the end of their careers. It was shortly after that Kristina and her then-husband Vishen founded Mind valley. From a small meditation business operating out of the couple’s apartment in New York, the company quickly grew into a global educational organization offering top training for peak human performance to hundreds of thousands of students worldwide. Kristina believes life is too important to be taken seriously. She makes sure to bring fun into every one of her roles: as a teacher, mother, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and world traveler. Kristina helps her students to virtually hack happiness by taking them through her unique framework – “Hacking happiness” – a unique framework of balancing your life, taking in every moment, and paying close attention to the small daily choices.
Kristina is also the author of three transformational quests – “7 Days To Happiness”, “Live By Your Own Rules.” and “The Art of Being Flawesome.” Kristina talks about personal transformation, authenticity, understanding and accepting oneself, and a path to happiness. In July 2023, with the help of Hay House Publishing, Kristina released her very first book – “Becoming Flawesome.” In her book, Kristina shares her own journey from being on top of a personal growth empire like Mind valley to stepping aside, conscious uncoupling from her husband, and walking her path towards being more honest with herself.
Morgan Angelique Owens is the author of “Finding My Sparkle” and Founder & CEO of the MAO Brand, Professional Pretty, and Curvy Cardio, LLC. An entrepreneur powerhouse — Author, Consultant, Speaker, and Brand Ambassador — Morgan uses her vision and voice to coach and uplift women and young girls by sharing the knowledge and expertise she’s honed in the areas of physical and mental health, beauty, personal empowerment, and lifestyle content. She uses her passion and fashion-forward savvy to authentically bridge the gap between brands and underserved audiences through her Blog, Professional Pretty. She has been featured in national publications such as Black Enterprise. Morgan has received numerous awards such as, “Woman of Influence”, “40 under 40”, and “Black History Honoree” from the Cincinnati Chamber.
Morgan strives to empower individuals and businesses to invest in their futures and find their Sparkle. In 2021 she partnered with The Cincinnati Herald newspaper to create Herald Beauty. A beauty hub for minority women. She serves as the Chief Creative Beauty Consultant. In 2022, Morgan launched her self-titled talk show, The Morgan Angelique Show: a talk show focused on beauty, fashion, and lifestyle aimed towards an often underserved and overlooked audience. The Morgan Angelique Show will not only inspire viewers but educate them in the fields of (but not limited to): beauty, fashion, health/wellness, financial literacy, and more.
First things first, how did we develop an interest in writing?
My major is actually in creative writing. I’ve also loved the outlet of writing and how therapeutic it can be.
When did you realize you had a story that the world needed to hear?
I first realized I had a story to tell the world when people thought they knew who I was. I refused to let others write my story, so I decided to do it.
What was the writing process like, did you come up with your title first and build around it or did the manuscript come first?
I wrote my book by simply letting the words flow and then I strutted it into chapters. The title of my book came during the whole writing process I had no idea at first what the title was going to be.
What is the message behind your title?
Finding My Sparkle means finding that inner self-love that exudes from the inside out. Other people can’t help but see that “sparkle” shining through.
Can you share 3 takeaways you would like women to take away from your book?
-Don’t let anyone define who are you.
-Don’t be afraid to share your story, you never know who needs to hear it.
-Do whatever it is you want to do. There are no glass ceilings.
At any moment during your writing process did you experience writer’s block, what tips do you have for overcoming it?
I didn’t necessarily have writer’s block but I did have to push through an emotional wall. When I started writing and reflecting I often found myself starting to cry. It brought back so many emotions that I had suppressed, I had to walk away from writing for a few weeks. I pushed through and kept going however because I remembered my “why.” Why I started writing the book in the first place.
Take me through the first moment you held your book in your hands, what did that feel like for you?
When I first saw and held my book it was really an amazing experience – I actually cried. I was also nervous because it was actually getting real that other people would read my story.
What would you say was the most challenging part of your writing process?
The most challenging part of your writing process is simply starting.
– What key tips do you have for marketing your book and getting it out to the masses?
Denise Carson formerly known as, “Mesheka” use the power of producing to promote Purpose. With over a decade in the entertainment industry. Denise is the most sought-after Talent Producer in the field. She produces talent to their greatest abilities, to live beyond their fear of the camera to conquer self. Denise spent her career valuing other individuals’ beliefs about her. Birth in an industry that chooses ego over leadership. Denise found herself having to step back from what people call the Limelight, in order to discover her light.
“Stranded Between Doubt and Faith” is a book of life questions to help determine what to do when you don’t know what to do. Denise is known for her Shaderoom appearance, where she was viewed by over a million people to inspire. Since then Denise has had small encouraging snippets on her platforms to keep people moving toward their transformation.
“I want to help people heal from the inside out. While showing them my truth through vulnerability. Confronting my shadow and living in my light.” Denise Carson
First things first, how did we develop an interest in writing?
I became interested in writing when I connected with myself after the cocoon/ dark times. When I was younger I loved to write poetry and small stories. But when I grew my passion for writing faded as life began to take hold. I lost myself while searching for myself. So writing allowed me to reconnect to my original source. The paper never judged so writing kept my interest.
When did you realize you had a story that the world needed to hear?
I realized I had a story the world needed to hear when my inner circle began to be transformed by my healing. It began to trickle down into my family and friends watching me conquer darkness. So I thought to myself Purpose is not a talent, it’s an assignment. I mastered the cocoon and gain knowledge about it so I can show others. Everybody has two sides to them light and shadow but Many don’t know who their shadow is. So the results in self-destruction and repeated lessons. Why hold in the ability to help someone see their darkness? It was selfish of me not to speak up.
What was the writing process like, did you come up with your title first and build around it or did the manuscript come first?
The writing process for me starts at the end then I proceed to the beginning. Many of my book covers are already done but the book is still being manifested. I start with an end in mind. The vision comes through the title and the cover. The content comes from life but it makes me accountable to obtain a goal.
What is the message behind your title?
The message behind my book Confront Your Shadow. Is to simply show people that there are two sides to every human. A lightworker and a shadow. Many people’s shadow was birth during dark times and proceeded in their everyday lives. Anger, frustration, fear, abandonment, and rejection are all shadow ammo that keeps us stuck. The thought was birth when you went through a dark time. Such as death, termination, breakup, disrespect, molestation, and abuse. All these things lead to a darker person if we don’t heal the experience correctly. Now healing correctly can lead us into believing dark thoughts that are not true. Then those dark thoughts begin to manifest in our reality. I am not good enough, this will never happen, I don’t deserve this is all statements birth from experiencing something you desired with a negative effect. Transform your Mind, transform your life. The purpose behind my title is to help give people the courage to confront the parts of themselves that are holding them back.
Can you share 3 takeaways you would like women to take away from your book?
The three takeaways I would like women to take from my book:
1. All things happen for a reason and are birth in darkness
2. Don’t let the caterpillar outdo you. The caterpillar to had to go through a dark cocoon unexpectedly but came out with wings. If you feel like giving up look at the tree that was birth in darkness from a tiny seed but stand tall.
3. Don’t be afraid to take accountability and say… “I forgive myself”
At any moment during your writing process did you experience writer’s block, what tips do you have for overcoming it?
During my writing process, I never force myself to write. I don’t put timelines on books I surrender in writing. Surrendering in writing is allowing whatever flows to flow and when you are done stop. Then when the inspiration comes again then proceed. Never force yourself to finish the assignment you were obedient to birth. Have a strategy for the execution.
If you are experiencing writing block. That means life wants you to live the lesson you are trying to express. You are writing about something that hasn’t come to flourish yet. You have to allow yourself to flow freely and don’t force things. Meditate to unlock what is stuck then proceed.
Take me through the first moment you held your book in your hands, what did that feel like for you?
The moment I held my book in my hand I cried because I completed something. That was my growth following through
What would you say was the most challenging part of your writing process?
The most challenging part of my writing process is being vulnerable and transparent. The more I tell the more I have a target on my back. My light disrupts some demons so I had to be prepared for that.
What key tips do you have for marketing your book and getting it out to the masses?
My key tip for marketing a book is being authentic. People want to meet you the person who experienced it. Not the one looking down on people who are still experiencing dark times.
What audience is your book written for?
My book’s audience is written for people who have experienced dark times and wonder what lessons in their life repeat that they don’t want in their universe.
Juniper Jillian Joy, formerly known as Tammie Shannon, is a Renaissance woman of the twenty-first century. Joy is most known for having two successful careers, one as a soulful Nashville Recording Blues Artist Singer/Songwriter while, also managing her own business, Shannon Success Strategies, as a life coach and financial strategist creating niche strategies for her high net worth clients focusing on tax-free retirement solutions as well as teaching business leaders how to use intentions targeted at the inner child experience to build and grow their businesses and most recently, a book author.
Juniper Jillian Joy discusses her transition from blues artist to life coach to author. In this interview, Joy discusses how she overcame trauma as a child, how her passion for songwriting inspired her to tell stories, and the message of her book. Find out the three lessons Joy hopes women will learn from her book and how she overcame writer’s block. Prepare to be moved by Joy’s inspiring story of self-discovery and transformation as she guides others to heal their inner child and find inner joy, love, and peace.
How did you develop an interest in writing?
My experience and love of songwriting for myself and others transferred to storytelling in book form. The First Story of Intentions: The Introduction to the Inner Child is providing the opportunity for me to produce an awesome audio expansion of the book as I created a unique tone for each character’s voice through my voice.
When did you realize you had a story that the world needed to know and hear?
It was when I expressed and released my feelings of trauma through my album, “All of Me,” and it was nominated for Blues Album of the Year and Blues Artist of the Year in 2018 by L A Music Critics. That’s when I knew people wanted to hear what I had to say and I decided, since the world is listening, I was going to make it count by sharing what I’ve learned because it’s too amazing to keep to myself!
What was the writing process like? Did you come up with your title first and build around it or did you do the manuscript first?
My story was consistent throughout the book writing. I started out with titles and chapter outlines but tweaks, fine tuning for clarity of strategies and messages enhanced the characters and their messages which were ultimately changing and evolving until the time of publication.
As my awareness and appreciation deepened, the implications for the breadth and depth of my story were revealed. This book, as is my life, is a “360 Live ” story of peace, love and joy. It is a very intimate connection with God, His love and intentions for each of us.
It offers the readers the exciting opportunity to become a part of the book as it progresses to the culmination of the story. These participatory and experiential pieces unfolded beautifully for a heart-felt ending…or beginning! You have the chance to decide.
What is the message behind your title?
The connection to your inner child is absolutely necessary for emotional, mental, physical and spiritual health. This connection with your inner child is where joy comes from within each of us because the inner child is the part of God within us.
The First Story of Intentions: The Introduction to the Inner Child is just the beginning of Juniper Jillian Joy’s open, intimate and vulnerable channeling of God’s messages for hope, faith and belief for peace of mind, love in heart and joy in all areas of life.
Can you share three takeaways you would like women to take away from your book?
The First Story of Intentions: The Introduction to the Inner Child is an unfolding story of the past, the present and the future.
It addresses emotional and physical health, anxiety, empowerment, energy-balance of male and female energy, self-regulation, co-regulation and communication of the inner child connection all of which are a part of the following current issues for women, men, families and children.
This book addresses not only the issues but introduces the reader to strategies to transform circumstances and conditions the reader uncovers in their own situation(s). It includes the stories and voices of each and every one of us at some point in our life.
Strategies for healing, guidelines for clear decision making, discernment and prevention check-check and tap-tap system is developed through vivid, sensitive and heart felt story telling. I have experienced everything I write about.
The numbers are clear about primary issues affecting both women and men, often women being a bit more prone are shocking. Anxiety, depression, bipolar and PTSD mental health issues are the top 4 depending on the researcher. Factors impacting our youth are depression, drug, alcohol and sexual activity as forms of self-medication, obesity, dealing with bullying and social media. Families struggle with denial and secrecy, poor communication, a closed system (family members are afraid to speak up or seek help from outside sources), rigid rules, role reversal-parentification, unrealistic expectations, failure to respect boundaries, conditional love or love withdrawal, lack of boundaries between parent and children just to mention a few.
The First Story of Intentions: The Introduction to the Inner Child addresses these challenges so that you can overcome them.
At any moment during your writing process did you experience writer’s block? What tips do you have for overcoming it?
Yes, there were many times when I needed to step back, allow myself time to process what I was feeling and then move forward all in divine time. One of the delights about the type of writing I do, sharing intimately, openly and vulnerably, includes consistent unfolding of new awareness that requires my recalibration to expand and enhance myself and explore my whole unified self. Discernment takes place to determine what is meant only for me or what goes into the book.
The story of 3-year-old Sara and 5-year-old Cindy represents all of us. The First Story of Intentions emphasizes the significance and the power of intention and how everyone can use intentions to change any circumstance as a roadmap of experiences and my visionary, empath, spiritual warrior gifts that project me and anyone that desires change in their life.
So, I surrendered to God’s will. I released the pressures and stresses of deadlines, some self-determined and other’s external controls. I took necessary self-care and self-love steps during the seemingly “down time.” During the writing process, I integrated the needs of my inner child, created games to actively fire all three parts of my brain, left brain, right brain and amygdala that were fun. Everything I do is intended to bring peace, love and joy into my life and the lives of others by incorporating activities that nurtured that heart, mind, body and soul of every reader.
Marie McKenzie is a #1 Amazon Bestselling author of her first book, a memoir, “Things That Keep Me Up at Night,” which was released in June of 2021.
She is currently co-authoring her first novel with the NK Tribe Called Success. She is an accomplished Registered Nurse, educator, community volunteer, victims’ advocate, and trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. Born in Jamaica, Marie migrated to the United States of America in 1989, and currently resides in Orlando, FL, with her husband George.
When she is not on the job, she volunteers and advocates for survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, and the homeless. She has volunteered for food banks, crisis pregnancy centers, and homeless organizations. She is a past board member of the Inner Truth Project, which strives to change the conversation surrounding sexual violence and help survivors find their voices.
First things first, how did you develop an interest in writing?
My interest in writing was ignited after I entered a 90-Day Writing challenge hosted by USA Today Bestselling Author, Naleighna Kai, during which I wrote my memoir, Things That Keep Me Up At Night. The opportunity connected me with the NK Tribe Called Success, a group of phenomenal authors—USA Today, international and national bestselling—who freely guided and supported me at every step of my journey.
When did you realize you had a story that the world needed to hear?
A few months prior to writing my memoir, I was a guest on a Podcast, where I spoke about my role as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. During the show, I shared my experience with sexual assault. I later shared the podcast with family and friends, and although shocked at first, they were very supportive and some opened up and shared their own stories of victimization and survival.
Some were struggling to heal. I call that SHUT IN – Silently Hurting due to Unresolved Trauma (caused by rape/sexual assault) and Internalizing (shame, anger, fear, anxiety, reliving the trauma) Needlessly.
Some verbalized that my story helped them regain their voice and power. “If you have been through all that and survived and are sharing your story, I can do the same.”
What was the writing process like, did you come up with your title first and build around it or did the manuscript come first?
The manuscript came first, then we brainstormed with a few titles and settled on Things That Keep Me Up At Night.
What is the message behind your title?
The message is that I am no longer bound by the Things That Keep Me Up At Night. I thought of changing the title to Things That KeptMe Up At Night but opted to keep it as is. Because like an addict there will always be triggers, healing is lifelong, but, when the memories come, I have tools to subdue them. I’m no longer SHUT IN – Silently Hurting due to Unresolved Trauma Internalizing Needlessly.
Can you share 3 takeaways you would like women to take away from your book?
I would like women to know that:
Healing is possible – they can heal, survive, and thrive.
They are not their trauma – someone did something to them. The shame, blame, and guilt belong to the perpetrators.
They are worthy of living a purpose-filled life. If you’re SHUT IN, it’s time to reach out for help to heal.
At any moment during your writing process did you experience writer’s block, what tips do you have for overcoming it?
Yes, I have experienced writer’s block and there is so much one can do.
Tips –
Write about something else, another chapter, or a topic. It doesn’t need to be in order and can be fixed later.
Stop writing and do something you enjoy – talk walk, exercise, (I lifted weights)
Brainstorm with a friend.
Read a book.
Meditation/Affirmations
Take me through the first moment you held your book in your hands, what did that feel like for you?
The first moment I held my book was exhilarating! I was grinning from ear to ear, my heart was racing; just overjoyed and wasn’t sure how to act.
What would you say was the most challenging part of your writing process?
Marketing was and is the most challenging part of the process – It’s a constant process and a daily intentional journey. Need to be creative to find new readers and keep my book in the public’s eyes.
What key tips do you have for marketing your book and getting it out to the masses?
1. Connect and collaborate with other authors and cross-promote each other’s work.
2. Find a Tribe that will support you. People you can always trust to have your back.
3. Be intentional and promote often/daily even, attend events, and seek out speaking engagements to share about your work.
4, Be engaged with readers/audience. People don’t want to see or hear of you only when you’re selling.
What audience is your book written for?
My book is written for survivors of sexual assault/rape/domestic violence and the people and organizations who love and support them.
To be a woman who makes “Pretty” moves you must first understand the gift you hold within and next understand how to utilize it.
Michelle P. Jones is “The Writer’s Coach” and helps writers birth their literary masterpiece, which brings their story to life through the Authorpreneur Academy’s course offerings, personalized strategic plan & coaching services and offers publishing services through her company, Bledsoe Publishing Company, LLC.
As an Amazon international bestselling author, literary award-winning author, ordained minister, writing and copywriting strategist, confidence consultant, workshop/seminar facilitator, podcast executive producer/host, blogger, and inspirational/motivational speaker, Michelle is uniquely positioned to ensure you offer an exceptional literary masterpiece to the marketplace. It is her belief that her life’s purpose is to use her skills, talents, and abilities in service unto God, with mankind being the direct beneficiary.
Michelle is the Founder/CEO of the Authorpreneur Academy, and Bledsoe Publishing Company LLC, an independent publisher who offers professional services, through inspiring, empowering, and equipping entrepreneurial creatives, authors, and professional writers to structure and view their writing as a business set for exponential growth while introducing an exceptional literary masterpiece to the marketplace. As a published author, Michelle has self-published two (2) books for national distribution: Grasping Your Success: Six Steps to Starting and Legitimizing Your Business (published 2017), Walking on Water in My Stilettos: How God Strengthened My Faithwalk (published 2018), and published 2021 ABF Best Book Awards Finalist in Christianity Desperate Housewives of Biblical Proportions (November 2020) with Enhanced DNA Publishing, and is a contributing author in the anthology As for Me and My House: Stories to Help Onboard Households for Entrepreneurship (published December 2019).
Michelle is a writer’s writer and believes in sharing her gift with the world through her monthly First Friday blog, Purposeful in Stilettos, Brown Girlz Readz Book Club on Clubhouse, and the bi-monthly writing clinics she facilitates.
Michelle is also the executive producer and host of a weekly podcast, the Unapologetically Michelle Show, where she discusses real, relevant, raw and life-changing topics that can positively influence its listeners’ choices and decision-making process positively. Michelle believes life is a series of life-happening moments, and it isn’t about the fact that you went through them, but that you overcame each of them and stepped back into your community to share intentionally, unapologetically, and purposefully those learned life lessons with others to help them traverse their journey called life. Michelle enjoys reading, writing, listening to good music, and watching action-packed and Sci-Fi movies. Michelle believes that information is power and she can be found sharing the information she holds with others to empower them to live their truth, their purpose, and their life OUT LOUD and in living color. Michelle currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Outside of entrepreneurship and writing, Who is Michelle Jones in five words?
A service-minded Kingdom Entrepreneur
What inspired your start in writing and sharing stories?
I have always loved reading and writing since childhood. It began with me sharing business tips and tools with my clients and others. To write about my life, being an entrepreneur, and introducing readers to the Bible in a relatable way. Writing has always been my way to express myself and my feelings. I just now have the opportunity to share it with the world.
You have crossed over into the journal-making industry, what has been the most rewarding part of creating different journals to impact people? I believe that knowledge is power and that when we know better we can do better. Journals are a way to introduce information and for the reader to interact with the information immediately to affect change in their life intentionally. What most people don’t realize is that trauma can be healed through our writing. It gives the person an outlet to put on paper what is informing their decisions and choices. Once on paper, it loses its power and its ability to negatively impact the author’s life.
Tell us about your company’s NEW Journal Line the Unapologetically Blacknificient Intentional Living Journal.
This journal is all that and a bag of chips. The journal first and foremost celebrates the richness and beauty of the African American culture. The reader will find historical facts, the celebration of our culture and journey to freedom, and relative information that can change their life. The journal has 3 sections: How Am I Living, Intentional Living, and Journal Pages. In the How Am I Living section, the reader will take an honest look at where they are in life. They will share their deepest fears, hardest struggles, biggest dreams, etc. In the Intentional Living section, the reader uses the 31-day journal to intentionally live each day when utilizing the guides provided. They will write out their daily affirmation, share what they are grateful for, who they need to forgive, and objectives (goals) they want to accomplish, etc. All of these are designed to help the reader use the tools they learn to develop the skills they will use to intentionally and unapologetically live a happy, healthy and whole life. This is accomplished by them choosing themselves daily. The journal pages section is where the reader will chronicle their journey by sharing their experiences as they apply what they learn each day while completing the Intentional living section. A link to an introduction video will accompany each journal to ensure the reader understands how to best use the journal. It is our desire for people to have the best possible experience with the journal. We have created a separate journal for men and one for women, and the reader can select between two different covers when ordering.
Can you share your 2022 journey with us?
2022 started off with me starting my publishing company, Bledsoe Publishing Company LLL and ghostwriting a client’s book and associated workbooks. I have since published his book and workbooks, published another client’s book, began creating book covers for clients, created the journal, and am ramping up to begin designing an Unapologetically Black Coloring Book. I am also putting a call out for contributing authors for our Morning Glory anthology (which will be published in 2023). As a socially conscious business, Bledsoe Publishing created the Bledsoe Family Legacy Foundation with their first order of business to provide scholarships to graduating seniors who show a need and meet our criteria. Applications will be released for consideration in the fall of 2023 with notification of awardees being announced in the spring of 2024. As if that isn’t enough, currently, we are writing gender-specific programming for nonprofits to use as their specialized internal programming and teaching them how to structure it to be an additional stream of income for their organization.
How did your business excel, what major moves are you proud of?
2022 has been a year of transformative change and growth for both myself and my company. I am truly aligning my faith with my business and using Bible principles to serve mankind with services, programming, and/or products that equips, inspires, and empowers mankind to intentionally live a life of purpose unapologetically. This year we are kicking off our Unapologetically Write a program with two writing clinics per month. One will be virtual and the other will be in person. The program is designed to ensure its participants will have the necessary information to introduce literary masterpieces to the marketplace while understanding that presentation does matter. As previously mentioned, I am excited about the foundation, the work we are doing with nonprofits, and creating the Reformation Project which is also a part of the foundation. For me personally, my greatest accomplishment is when I invited God to be the CEO of my business. I check in with Him daily to see what’s on my to-do list for the day and what action steps I need to take that honor Him and keep my businesses growing.
What is next for you in 2023?
In 2023, the kick-off of the scholarship program, the publication of the Morning Glory anthology, the introduction of the Grief Journal anthology, finishing up the Restoration Project (re-entry program to help to return citizens re-acclimate in society with the tools needed to intentionally live a life of purpose based upon the transformative change process), and publishing books for clients. We are currently accepting new authors interested in publishing a book. Bledsoe Publishing is equipped to take an author from concept to publication while the literary award-winning and international best-selling author and coach, Michelle Jones coaches them through the process. It doesn’t matter where an author is in the process, Bledsoe Publishing has the right publishing package to meet their needs.
What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles?
Growing up I was always told that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I no longer believe that statement as it was taught. I believe beauty is an outward expression of the inner condition of an individual’s heart. It is a reflection of who they are and who they see themselves being. With that being said, a Pretty Woman Who Hustles is a woman who knows who she is, knows her worth, and has realized she is not in competition with anyone other than herself as she strives to be a better person today than she was on yesterday. She doesn’t have it all together and that’s ok with her because she is growing into who she is created, destined, and purposed to be intentionally and unapologetically. She is the woman I look at in the mirror every day and whom I encourage to keep going especially on those days when nothing seems to be going right. She is ME and every other woman who refuses to give up, give in and not live life to the fullest. She is the sister-friend I collaborate with and check in on to make sure she’s ok, and whose successes I celebrate. And, whose tears I wipe when she’s experiencing the growing pains from failure. She’s not every woman, she’s the woman who has decided to see each new day as an opportunity to accomplish her objectives (goals) and be of service to someone else.
Delanda McNair is a North Carolina Native & Author Of Two Published Books. “Father, Then The Eyes Can See” & “You Taught Me”.
Today we are putting a twist on things by allowing Delanda to introduce herself with her personal story:
In The Beginning, As Far As I Knew, Writing Was Not A Given. I Honestly Do Not Remember Ever Being Excited About Consistent Reading As A Youth. And Journaling, No That Was Not One Of My Helpful Habits. Even My Work History, Not A Lot Of Creative Writing There Either.
When I Landed What I Considered (At The Time), To Be My Dream Job – All Was Well, Life Was Good And I Was All Set And Ready To Stack Up The Travel Miles – As A Flight Attendant. My Parents Had Done A Good Enough Job At Giving Us Travels; Even Road Trips Were Essential.
What Better Way For Me To Easily Gain Access To Travel Then The Airline Industry And Life As A Travel Agent. I Had A Seized Opportunity To Work In Both Industries! Life With A D-2 & IATA Card Was Fantastic!
I Thought, I Had Arrived So To Speak And At That Point Considered Nothing Else When It Came To My Work Career. I Am Partially Shaped And Molded By A Small Town Rearing. With Fresh Water Catches Being One Of My Dad’s Serious Hobbies/Hustles; Growing Up Our Family Time Consist Of Both Planned And Spontaneous Trips To The Outer Banks (And Other Waterfronts) And Surrounding Areas. With My Dad Being A Skillful Cook, Often Times Our Yard Was Accented, With Smoking Cookers, Grills And Lots Of Loving Family And Friends. He Was Such A Crowd Magnet.
In Thought My Parents Were Boundless! With My Mother Being The Soft, Silent Yet Very Present Help Meet. My Parents Were Both Great Givers And Nurturers. Yes, As In Any Case, They Were Not Perfect – Yet They Were Perfect At Unapologetically, Simply Giving Us Them. Fast Forward, To Writing Again – Writing Was Never Something I Contemplated But One Day My Sister Called Me Sharing A Friends Situation. That Conversation Turned Into A Dream, One That At First – I Thought Nothing Of. So When The Dream Played On Repeat Nightly, I Went Back To My Sister Wondering Why I Could Not Shake Our Prior Conversation. This Opened Door To Me Learning More About My Creative Side. I Got The Notion To Write It Out. And Then It All Began To Fully Flow. Each Time I Wrote It Out, Updated Information Flooded My Dreams. With That Prior Conversation And Continued Conversations With My Sister, Along With Me Writing Out My Dreams, The Foundation For My Writing Journey Had Begun. My First Book Was Published In 2013, With The Second Being Published In 2019.
What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
When the story idea and writings meet and completely delivers in the reading journey of the publication.
How do you develop your plot and characters?
Mostly, my writings are GOD given.
How do you come up with the titles of your books?
They, are HIS Word & Life, inspired
Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?
For me, writing is therapeutic. I plan to write 30 minutes to an hour minimum daily extending grace to myself the times I fall short. I release myself to simply pen my thoughts and ideas initially without as much focus on spelling/grammar
If someone wrote about your life and made a movie, who would you want to cast you?
Taraji P Henson. Why? I appreciate her artistry and I have been told that I remind people of her.
Finally, what’s next for you?
I expect to have each title go on to motion print. I also have more writings in the works.
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Leah-Ashley McCauley was born and raised in Portland, OR. where she developed her passion for writing and storytelling at a very young age. The journey of life took her through many obstacles before she decided to reconnect with her first love, writing. She is now the author of Highlights and Brown Sugar, a collection of short stories and poems. Leah-Ashley is set to release her first novel in 2021 and currently resides on the East Coast, for now, while working hard on her next project.
When did you realizeyou held a giftfor writing?
I would say I realized my gift when I was in second grade. I loved to read and through that, I discovered a love of creating my own stories to share with my family and friends. The elementary school I went to let us make our own books that were placed in the library. I remember my first book “Detective Leah” became a favorite amongst other students and that further fueled my passion for writing.
How would you describe yourwriting in four words?
My writing is influential.
If you could pinpoint one common message from your work, what would it be?
That you can always rise above your situation. We are often a lot stronger than we realize so I believe it is imperative that we get out of our own heads and live!
What inspired your latest novel “I know who the devil is”?
My book is a non-fiction piece that is based on a severely abusive relationship I found myself in, with an older man, at nineteen years old.
Can you describe your creative writing process?
I always start with a title, whether or not that title makes it to the final project doesn’t matter to me, it gives me a way to visualize my plot. From there I am able to flesh out the story and each character. I also like to let my creative juices flow on paper… so I write without worrying about errors then go back and revise later.
What is next for you?
I am constantly creating so the next thing I plan to put out is a book of poetry and short stories. I have a fiction novel in the works as well that I am hoping to release next year.
How can readers connect with you?
Readers can connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook! I am always interested in discussing my work and the writing world as a whole. I feel like every conversation is a learning experience.
What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles?
Being pretty is something that shines from the inside out. When she is pretty on the inside it reflects, and to see that same woman with drive, and ambition really showcases the hustle in her. A Pretty Woman Who Hustles gets it by any means necessary, confident in her abilities and demeanor.
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PRETTY WOMEN HUSTLE ONLINE 