Black History in the USA comes to a close. In this the third and final part of her interview with ‘Facing Purpose Radio Show’ host Lakia Barnett, Tracy is invited to share her final thoughts on the subject of the importance of building your own confidence with the writing process.

If you enjoy these podcasts then visit the website https://storiestobetolled.com for the learning platform and poetic narratives and why not join us on our mailing list and receive a free sample of each of the current poetic narrative titles.

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'The Journey's End - giving back Hong Kong'

The Journey's End - giving back Hong Kong

'A Story for South Africa'

A Story for South Africa

At times, small parts of the recording are omitted and so the full transcript is provided below:

LB: So with you being an author and again you’re touching on education, you’re really trying to educate people on the different things that you believe in. But not only that, what needs to be brought attention to. What advice can you give to any up-coming authors that may be listening to you tonight and saying ‘you know what, I just wanna go ahead and write. Make a leap and jump out there and do something I’ve never done. I know that I’m supposed to be writing but don’t know how to start. So what advice would you give to an up-coming author tonight?

TW: I would say, I think this is the most important thing. Write about something that you’re passionate about. It doesn’t necessarily have to be something that is expected of you. I never thought that I would be writing about a topic such as this. Many of us feel that we have to write about certain things that are characteristic of or stereotypical of who people might think we are. I think as a writer the best advice that I can give to somebody is to… if there’s something that you are truly passionate about, write about that. Be brave enough step out of your comfort zone and really put the time and the research in. Just put pen to paper and start the process and something will begin to appear.

It’s almost like training, when you’re training and your muscles become more efficient, they become more elasticated, they become supple they, become (more) stronger. Writing is that type of skill it’s like exercising a muscle and if you do it little and often on a regular basis you will and you can create something that is truly special (and) truly unique and truly worthy of being read and being appreciated by other people. So that would be the one piece of advice: step out of the boat if you want to write something that is untraditional to your background or to your culture, then do not be afraid to do so.

LB: Absolutely, I totally agree. I love that you sat down on even writing something that people wouldn’t have expected for you to write. I love that. I love when people step out of the box and when they go a little further and not just with the familiar of what they think people are gonna be looking for them to do. I love that you mention that that is a key sign of bravery to me. I think that is a huge leap in trying to step away from the familiar, in trying something else that is not expected and so I love that.

So, Ms Tracy why don’t you go ahead and tell everybody how they can connect with you. Let everyone know about any upcoming events and projects that you have going on for 2022.

TDW: Well they can contact me. I’m on most social media platforms. Check me out on Facebook, Instagram at ‘Stories to be tolled’. Now tolled is spelt  ‘t-o-l-l-e-d’ it is not spelt ‘told’ in the usual sense. That is something that I did on purpose to try and stand out from the normal ‘stories to be told’ sentence. You can find me on Facebook, you can find me on Instagram. I’m on Twitter at dw_tracy and of course there’s the website https://storiestobetolled.com  where all my social media links can be found (there). So just go to the website and that will be the easiest way to connect with me and if you want to send me an email [email protected]

Great and do you have any upcoming events that you want to share?

TDW: At the moment, I’m doing self-publishing with a freelance publisher to get the next four books out. The next four books will be out in 2022. I am hoping to get them out by Easter and I am also appearing as a feature author in a magazine called ‘Aspiring Authors.’ A US publication looking to feature some aspiring authors for their black history month and so I will be featured in that and I will also be on the cover. I will continue to grow my audience through my podcast and also to promote my books for home learning. So (I’m) really targeting parents who want to engage with the subject area through home learning together with their children. So, those are the key areas that I’m going to be looking at this year.

LB: Ok well I love it Tracy. I do appreciate you taking (time) out of your busy schedule to come and bless Facing Purpose Radio with your voice, with your expertise with what you believe in and what your heart really stands for and we can’t wait to continue to look out for the major things that you’re going to be doing in the near future. I speak blessing upon you and all your endeavours and everyone make sure that you follow up with all her social media, get in contact with her, learn something. I pray that something was said tonight that will help you guys to help you go into your 2022 just a little bit more reassured that you can do this, if you’re an author. Even if you’re not an author, you may be an educator, just like Ms Tracy and she decided to step out of the box and go a little further with what she’s doing. Take a little note from her book and go and make the leap. So I have enjoyed this conversation. I have enjoyed just listening to you talk about what you love and what you put your hand to and involved in. So Tracy, thank you so much for connecting with me and coming on to the show.

TDW: Lakia, it’s been a pleasure and a privilege to be on your show, just talking and sharing with you. Thank you so much for having me on and wishing you a happy 2022.

LB: Yes Ma’am! You too Ms Tracy Williams. So, you guys, that’s it for tonight. This was an awesome Saturday night. Again, I am so glad to be back. I’m feeling much, much better I’m praying for your healing tonight and you guys make sure that you come back and join me every Saturday at 7pm EST. This is the ‘Facing Purpose Radio Show’ and I’m your host Lakia Barnett and you guys have a good night.