Today we’d like to introduce you to Amara Russell.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Amara. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started writing at the age of ten. Storytime and essay writing was my favorite! I looked forward to testing only to write compelling and engaging essays. I had my first article published by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram when I was in the fifth grade. My passion for writing did not stop there. I connected with a Children’s Writing Institute at the age of thirteen and was assigned a Mentor, I then began learning how to edit my own stories and others, as my writing grew intensely. My passion for writing grew even deeper as I started producing short stories and plays for my friends at school. I would write two-three books a week and bind them, passing them out around high school, leaving my peers wanting more and conversing about the characters and how they could relate.
Fast forward, I lost my job in 2014. Initially, it was rough, I woke up every morning applying for jobs and wondering what I was going to do!? It was like God led me to do what I always wanted to do since I was a little girl, which was to publish my first book! Not knowing how or where the money would from, day in and out, I began to pour myself into writing. I was no longer sobbing over the loss of my job and when I was going to find another one. I remember booking a cruise with a friend and at that time, I was living my best life! Unemployed and pouring my heart into what I love storytelling! I would eat, sleep, and breathe, A Rare Diamond. Every day, characters would come to mind as I was developing my storyline. It was amazing! I could see these characters, I could feel them, they became apart of me. It was a joy to wake up every morning just to write! It took me a year to write A Rare Diamond. Ironically, after that year was up, I found a job. My passion had faded, as I was then living to work. I put the book aside and focused on my job. 2015, I lost my Mom, that was the worst year of my life! It took apart of me that I can’t even explain. Because writing is my therapy, I found myself back at it, trying to find healing. Then, able to relate to my main character Celeste, I was able to go back in and connect with her and re-write the story. Each chapter in A Rare Diamond is broken up into how a diamond is made, it is the foundation that tells the story of a young girl who loses her mom at the age of five, and as she grows older, she seeks God through journaling, trying to find her identity without her Mom.
Not knowing how I was going to get this book published. I prayed to God asking now what. That night, I came across a publishing company on Facebook that had posted information about a writing contest for the best manuscript, the winner would win free publishing. Heck yea, I entered! Unfortunately, I did not win, but I was one of the top 25 finalists and my Novel was published for half the cost and so many rewarding incentives! It was amazing! I became an Author!
Soon after, a friend shared a flier on Facebook with me about a local Authors group, Metro Authors, that post changed my life! Being connected to the Founders and the amazing group of authors has given me so much knowledge, exposure, and insight into the world of Authors. This is how I got to where I am today as a published Author of the novel A Rare Diamond and Trilogy, Shattered Dreams, California Love, and Faith Family Love, and my devotional, Nspired. In the works are a children’s book and a book on relationships. I’m not stopping, writing is my passion, its who I am! #ipray#iwrite#iread#inspire.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth, heck no, worth it… YES! Some of my struggles were not believing in myself. Worried about what people would think. Oh, here she goes, thinking she’s an author, what if my book didn’t make any sense, and here she goes talking about that book again.
My struggle was self-doubt, along with finding the right editor, proofreader, and just knowing where to start. It wasn’t until after I connected to the Publishing company and Metro Authors Group that I began to believe in myself as a writer. I always knew the talent was there and yes, its what I love to do, but those struggles made me question my gift and abilities as a writer. Once I started seeing it come to life and the overwhelming support I received from those that spoke my language as a writer, the struggles became less real.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am currently growing my business Nspired2Write Media Services. It is a company that brands small business owners through all social media platforms and growing their online presence. In which I have incorporated my writing services. Which includes, Editing, Proofreading, Resume, Blogging, Ghostwriting, and book consulting.
These services are all things that I am passionate about, it’s not just a business to me, it’s truly something that I love to do! I create a story through posting images and content while offering my knowledge and services as a writer to help anyone who struggles with what to do or say, or someone who just doesn’t have the time to dedicate to growing their business socially. It is my heart to create and inspire while doing what I love to do, to free up the time, for those to do what they love to do!
What were you like growing up?
Haha… this question made me smile. I was a spoiled brat, I still am. Cinderella was my childhood nickname given to me by my cousins. Enough said! I was witty, always happy, I loved being surrounded by family. I stayed in the kitchen up under my grandmother, she was an amazing cook!
Cooking and cleaning out the refrigerator was my thing! LOL! I loved to read and write of course! You could always catch me trying to rap or write some dope lyrics with my cousins, yeah, I thought I was a rapper, but mostly, I loved to write the lyrics. I was a fun kid, a mama’s girl, I just enjoyed being surrounded by those that I love.
Pricing:
- A Rare Diamond $17.99
- Trilogy A Rare Diamond $12.99
- Nspired $10.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nspired2write247.blog
- Email: nspired2write247@gmail.com
- Instagram: arare_diamond1
- Facebook: facebook.com/ararediamond1/
- Twitter: ARare_Diamond1
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