Now that you’re aware of your calling and/or feel the impetus to write this book, what comes next?
If You Can, Hire a Writing Coach
Two years into writing Behind The Face, it dawned on me I could not do this on my own. I was the author, and yes, this was my story! But I needed help navigating how to write a book successfully.
At the time, I’d been following Brandie Freely on Instagram and was enamored by her intellect, cool-girl demeanor and that she was a dope mom, too! I envisioned working with her someday. So, when I was ready to really take my writings seriously, I slid into her DMs, told her about this soul-searching journey I was on with the book, and waited for her reply.
Thankfully, she hit me back with a, “Yassssssss, girl! I’d love to talk more about this! Let’s hop on a call!” Needless to say, the call went great! We vibed over single Mommyhood and the inspiration behind the memoir. She gave me some time to think about a possible collaboration, and then sent me a contract. I followed through when I was naturally prepared to start.
P.S. I know it can be scary eliciting help and wondering where the money is going to come from. But if you take that first step, God will keep leading you in a direction of resources. Take that step when you feel you are ready.
Pro Tip
Evaluate who you want to partner up with in this book-writing journey!
God leads us as far as we can go on our own. Then, He guides us to our people. – LaTeisha Clément
I felt connected to Brandie and even read her blogs and newsletters on her blog-turned-transformational-coach site, brandiefreely.com.
Remember, I followed her on Instagram well before I started writing my book. So you can say we built some kind of rapport, with me engaging with her writing prompts on IG.
Plus, after our live phone call, I realized we were kindred spirits—both black, single mommas (she’s since married), writers, good-vibers, and Jesus Lovers! Plus, Brandie related to many of the challenges I faced with solo parenting and doubled as an intellectual sounding board for the book.
As a writer herself (see Truths and Freedoms), she’d undergone the writing process and guided me at a pace that felt comfortable. I learned a lot about storytelling, organizing my thoughts, staying on track, and receiving rest.
Rest
We can’t successfully become authors without taking a break!
It’s not counterproductive; I promise. Rest is VERY MUCH a part of the writing process. At the time I embarked on this book journey, parenting legalities were VERY MUCH a part of my life. IYKYK.
On this one particular Tuesday, I had just come out of a hearing and was slated to meet with Brandie later that night. But I just couldn’t write. My mind was mush, my feelings were trampled on, and I was desperately trying to find peace, on top of having to be a momma to my then four-year-old toddler. It was all too much! When I expressed this to Brandie, she simply said, “Rest up Momma. It’s okay.”
We can’t “push through” everything as if the pain doesn’t matter. We are not robots. We are humans….being, and we need a break sometimes.
Pause, refresh, and resume your courses of action when you can do so holistically. Rest & replenish your soul.
Timelines
My writing coach and I met monthly and in between our Zoom calls, I had homework to complete:
● Putting my life events in chronological order, which was challenging. [Note: This is big for memoir writing but also applicable for establishing background/storylines for fictional characters as well].
It was one thing to write my story, and a totally different beast to put all of those painful memories in order!
There’s something about trauma that affects your ability to remember what happened first.
You know these issues are real; it can just be difficult to reopen that portal of when an incident actually happened. However, after being still with God, I was able to release the anxiety and the answers eventually came to me. Being still helps.
Publishing Your Book
Brandie was a resource magnet! She had connections to publishers, tips for when to get a copywriter, and staying on track with booking a photographer for the cover shoot.
I was fashioning my book to resemble a VOGUE magazine cover! With my vision down pat, I reached out to a photographer I happened to know.
P.S. You can look up photographers online, by doing a simple hashtag photography search on Instagram in your particular area, i.e. #photographersNYC.
Once the photoshoot was booked, shot, and the pictures were delivered, Brandie then prompted me to converse with a publisher. It was now time for my magazine book cover to come to life.
The publishing team would also be the ones formatting my book cover and Google Doc manuscript into an official perfect-bound book. I was hyped!
Side Note: You can also get a graphic designer to create your cover art. My magazine-styled cover was different, so I decided to have the publisher create it.
Finding the Right Publisher
A writing coach can walk you through this aspect. Brandie walked me through talking points as I embarked on “interviewing” publishers.
I made a list of questions and began crafting interest emails and follow-up phone calls. Like it is when finding a writing coach, be selective when choosing a publisher that understands your vision.
This rule applies to everyone you connect with – photographers, graphic designers (if you choose to go that route), and copywriters.
This book is your baby and you want it handled with care. I happened to find a great copywriter on Fiverr, if you were curious.
Don’t let this process overwhelm you.
Take your time with yourself and allow this adventure to flow. You’ll naturally learn how to progress. Trust yourself and that inner guide.
You got this!
For more tips about writing or questions about my book, reach out to me at lateisha@lateishaclement.com, or follow me for style inspo @lateishaclement.