.jpg)
Gentry's Journey
We will cover a variety of topics, listen and learn.
Come and listen to some of your favorite genres
This platform was designed for new authors to display their work and to assist individuals to promote their book, business or brand.
Healthcare tips and topics will be discussed. For additional information or questions, contact your HCP/doctor. For true emergencies proceed to the nearest emergency department or call 911.
Gentry's Journey
A Journey of Faith and Creative Expression with Sonya Mitchell
Have you ever stumbled upon something seemingly insignificant that sparked a creative revolution in your life? Sonya Mitchell, our special guest on Gentry's Journey, shares how a simple straw hat on the ground during the pandemic inspired her to embark on a remarkable journey from Birmingham, Alabama, to becoming a published author. With roles as varied as a college recruiter and a US Postal Service sales rep, Sonya’s diverse background adds layers of richness to her story. Her debut coffee table book, "Picture the Picture," is a testament to resilience and creativity, pairing striking photos with meaningful Bible scriptures that led her on a profound spiritual journey.
Join us as Sonya navigates the often turbulent waters of self-publishing, highlighting her resourceful transition from traditional publishing struggles to a successful partnership with a local print and binding company. Sonya’s story is filled with learning experiences, from online research to engaging with audiences through social media, libraries, and special events. Her insights into personal promotion and strategic marketing prove invaluable for anyone looking to champion their creative projects. And her unexpected entry into podcasting reveals a world of new connections and inspirations, broadening her horizons in ways she never anticipated.
Empowering and inspiring, Sonya’s journey underscores the importance of self-belief and the support of those around you. As she shares the joys of creative fulfillment and the impact of storytelling, listeners are encouraged to embrace their unique visions, even if they face initial skepticism. With a hopeful look toward the future and a potential second volume in mind, Sonia's story serves as a motivating reminder that passion and faith can guide us through adversities, opening doors to personal growth and spiritual peace.
Hello everyone. Welcome to Gentry's Journey. This is Carolyn Coleman. This is February the 29th. Can you believe it? We were just saying Happy New Year. So we have an honored guest today, and Sonia Mitchell. So she is a first-time author and we're going to have this conversation with Sonia so that you all can get to know her better. She can tell us about her book and what other projects she has in the works. Welcome, Sonia.
Speaker 2:Thank you. Thank you so much, Carolyn, for having me.
Speaker 1:Oh, you're more than welcome. Now tell us about yourself and welcome.
Speaker 2:Now tell us about yourself. Okay, as you mentioned, my name is Sonya Mitchell. A lot of people who know me from way back when call me Sam. That's my nickname. I'm a native of Birmingham, grew up in the Titusville area and attended AH Parker High School, can't you tell? I'm proud of that.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 2:Graduated from Parker and then, from there, attended Talladega College, which I'm equally as proud of. And after graduating from Talladega College, I ventured into the world of sales and did college recruiting for many years and ultimately ended up working for the US Postal Service as a letter carrier and then was promoted to a sales rep. A lot of people will say well, what did the post office say?
Speaker 1:Well, that was going to be one of my questions.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, actually, I worked in the uh, the packaging department, where we sold uh package services, uh, in terms of boxes and prior to mail and express mail, and our competition was, at that time, ups and FedEx. Amazon was not even in the equation, and so so yeah that our competition was UPS and FedEx, and so that's what I did All right, so you were a college recruiter.
Speaker 2:you say Uh huh, I started just as soon as I graduated from Talladega College. I would say within three or four months I was hired on as a college recruiter, and so I traveled extensively for the across the country and to encourage them to continue their education at Talladega College and had a successful career. I was really blessed to be able to do that, and sometimes I see young people now and they'll say well, you know, thank you so much for making a difference in my life, thank you for encouraging me to continue my education, and so it was really, really a blessing to be able to do that.
Speaker 1:That's great. That sounds really interesting. I mean, I don't think I've met anyone who told me they were a college recruiter before, but that's fine Nevertheless. Let's move on. So you have had an interesting professional background and in various aspects.
Speaker 2:That's great.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:Okay, now tell us about your book. Okay, now tell us about your book. Okay, fast forwarding, I would say in 2000,. Maybe 19 or so or 20, actually I, like everybody, was pretty much homebound. And you know, after the pandemic and uh, or during the pandemic and uh, I always enjoyed walking. I was, uh, I would get out and walk for exercise purposes, even before the pandemic. So you know, um, I would get out and walk alone and and, just you know, get my exercise and and walking gives me an opportunity to really meditate and spend more time with God and and just enjoy nature. I love nature.
Speaker 2:And so I was just out walking one day and I was living with my oldest sister, shirley, in Bellevue Heights at that time, and I saw this straw hat on the ground and instantly it caught my attention and I thought, well, it's a straw hat. Where'd the hat come from? How'd the hat end up? You know, in Birmingham Because, obviously, being a straw hat, the wind would lift it and pick it up and it would travel. And I sometimes wonder now even where the straw hat is.
Speaker 2:But I took a picture of the hat and decided to give it a story, give it its own story, because I truly believe that everyone, and nearly everything, has a story. It's just a matter of you sharing your story. So I gave the hat its own story and I titled it Hats Off. And I just wrote a little something on Instagram and shared it. And you know, people gave comments and feedback and so forth, and so from that, from there, I started taking other pictures, just, and I wouldn't even look for things to take pictures of, it was just. It's like God would speak to me and say you know, there is something about that or this, and and I take the picture. It would just, it would just catch my eye.
Speaker 2:And so, after so many photographs, I was sharing them with my sister and she said well, you know, you really should consider creating a coffee table book, because you don't see much of those anymore. And I thought, ok. So I didn't really jump on it right then, you know, I was thinking, ok, that's a thought. But I did start doing the research and doing my homework and I reached out to a publisher, which I'm not at liberty to name, but a publisher in New York, because I Googled their website and it said we do accept unsolicited materials. So I thought perfect, you know, and I put it all together very professionally and I was so proud of it and I shipped it to them via the US Postal Service and I never heard anything back from them, never, ever, ever heard anything. So that was really disheartening.
Speaker 2:But one thing I did before I sent them my pictures, excuse me, I decided to have all of my pictures registered with copyright. That way no one could, you know, use my pictures or steal my pictures or take advantage of my pictures or use them, you know, in any other kind of way. So they were registered and they still are. So I was safe in that regard. But still, you know, not to hear anything back, no response at all, was a little discouraging. So I sort of put it to the side for, you know, a little while and then I thought well, I really want to get this done, it should be done. These are really nice pictures, I think, and God led me to add scriptures to each picture, so that made it even more, you know, not about me, but to hopefully motivate and encourage other people in their day-to-day walk in this thing we call life.
Speaker 1:That's great. I can sort of understand that journey of sending something to someone and never hearing back when they advertise that they take unsolicited work. You had the forethought to trademark everything, which is great. I say that to say the publishing. This author's world is full of surprises. This author's world is full of surprises. Yes, you wrote it. You got the idea, you wrote it, you got it together and you sent it off and never heard anything back. That is disheartening. It's very discouraging and a lot of people would have given up, you know, because it's not right and it's not fair and there's no two ways about it, but you kept going.
Speaker 2:I did.
Speaker 1:And that that in lies why we're here today. You had not kept putting yourself out there, moving forward, sort of redirecting the project, so to speak. You know when God gave you scripture to utilize that as a way to catapult you back into what you wanted to do, you know. So that's wonderful. I'm glad you didn't let that discourage you, because I tell people oftentimes and I'm not a professional, but I tell people oftentimes, be careful in this office world, because there are a lot. And one of my cousins was like what do you mean? Be careful?
Speaker 1:I said, there are people who are not who they say that they are, and sometimes you can get that by speaking with them, sometimes you can get it by email, communicating with them. I said they just, if it doesn't feel right, don't do it, because nine times I did, hey, let's just call them what they are they're scammers. You know they're scammers out here. You want to take someone else's work and present it as yours. It's sad, but it's true.
Speaker 1:And it's not just in this office world it's. A family member created something at work and, um, it was like I see my project but nobody's talking to me about it. And um, I said, did you have permission to do that? Oh yeah, they gave me permission. I said did you sign anything? Did you have anything in writing? No, you know, I showed him. You know what I was thinking about doing and I did it. And I said, well, you won't get a dime. And he was like auntie, you know, like you won't.
Speaker 1:Because I had just spoken to a gentleman and his wife about a year prior and he had come up with an idea and it really garnered the company a lot of money and he didn't get a dime. And he was so brokenhearted because they were encouraged by what he had and what he did. I said but you know, when you work on company time, you know they have this disclaimer whatever you build or make or produce for the company belongs to the company. And so he was brokenhearted. I mean, his wife just had to get it off her chest and we were out there with the kids while they were playing soccer and I was just broke, as broken hearted as he was. More. So, you know, because you know you just want people to do what's right, you just want to be fair. But you hate to say that in days of old, because it's not. There's still some good people out here with good intentions, you know. But I can see that being heartbreaking, you know, being heartbreaking for you and for those two scenarios that I gave you.
Speaker 1:So, you know, but we can't stop. You know, if it's something that's in your heart to do, complete it.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 2:Make it work. Make it work Exactly Because once it's on your heart to do something, I don't think it ever goes away. You know, it's always. Yeah, I think it's just always something that's sort of a burning. You know, I got to get this done, but I don't know how, I don't know when, I don't know. You know, but it's always there. So once you actually and I'm not saying that it's easy to do, but once you've actually completed the project, then it's so fulfilling, it's so rewarding, you know, because you realize it's really not about you at the end of the day. You know, when we read a book, when we watch a film, when we, you know, attend a play or something like that, and it's what we get from it, you know. So it's definitely worth fighting for and fighting through in order to get it done, because you know it. Just, you never know, even if it impacts one person, you just never know.
Speaker 1:I agree with you. I mean, I agree with you, even if it just impacts you. You know I have written, I have published, I have sold, so now I am truly a published author. You know you have completed, you know your goal, and that's right. Some people haven't done that, you know they still have. Like you say, I have, um, uh, a friend who's a publisher and she says the same thing everyone, living and dead, has a story, and your story does need to be told that. That's basically part of her introduction of herself and her work, and that is so true, you know. So, um, I think we should tell our story. Whatever you know, whatever god puts on our heart to do um it may not be perfect, but hey, it's mine right?
Speaker 1:we'll work on perfection later, right? So I'm glad you pursued your goal, I'm glad you pursued your dream and I'm glad to have met you now Likewise. Now, when you talk about your writing process, you saw the hat, you took a picture, you framed a story around it and then, after the event, you started putting in scripture, and you did that for the rest of your book. Correct, correct, ok. So were the scriptures Something God dropped in your spirit, or did you search for those?
Speaker 2:I searched for those and that's a very good question, carolyn. I did search for the scripture and I think that was the longest process in completing this book. And I tell people all the time, you know, we hear you wrote a book and I said, well, no, technically I didn't write it, it was already written, you know, because they are scriptures from the Bible. So, but I created the book, but, yeah, one. I had, you know, quite a few pictures that I had taken, and so I had to go and decide. And this was a praying process. You know, this is not something I said, ok, let me just do it, and it's a fly by night. No, you know, it took a lot of prayer and encouraging myself to actually, you know, move forward with it, to actually, you know, move forward with it. But, you know, just going through each picture and said, okay, which one do I really want to use for this book, this particular book which is titled Picture the Picture, and that was not even the original title of the book. I was thinking I would title the book Hats Off. You know, okay, okay, yeah, but God led me to Picture the hats off. You know, okay, yeah, but, but god led me to picture the picture, you know, and and ultimately what that means is to not just look at what's obvious, you know, because what? Once you see the book, once you actually read, read my book and and take a look at the pictures, you'll see that most of the things that you never would even stop and pay any attention to, most of the pictures are of things that are on the ground One would consider trash. You know, that people just would not ordinarily pay any attention to. So there's a message behind that. You know, what looks and seems worn out or no good, or, you know, just has been, actually has beauty, it still has some type of quality of life in it. You just have to look for it, you know. And so, but yeah, just going through and deciding which pictures to use, and then, once I decided which pictures to use for the book, finding the scripture, I thought was just, you know, because each picture has a title, sure, Each picture has a title, and so I wanted to, I wanted to find the scripture that I thought would would coincide with the title and the picture itself. So it was a tedious process, you know. I know the Bible, but I don't know the Bible like that I'm not, you know, a spiritual scholar or you know. So I had to really do some homework and I really had to do some research and it was eye-opening for me, you know, because I learned more about the Bible, I learned more about God and I learned more about you know spirituality. So the entire thing has really been a blessing for me.
Speaker 2:So, like you, I would encourage people to move forward with whatever the project is that he or she is working on or has thought about for years, and they're like I don't know. You know some people are like I don't know, nobody's going to be interested. You just don't know. But, like you also said a few minutes ago, it's so fulfilling for yourself. Absolutely don't know. But, like you also said a few minutes ago, it's so fulfilling for yourself, it's so rewarding to actually complete this. You know, whatever the project is, it could be something small, you know. I've even had people say you know, wow, you've created a book. That's something you know and in their mind, it's not the easiest thing to do, and's not, but it's so worth doing. You know, from the littlest thing that you think in your mind is small to whatever, just do it.
Speaker 1:I agree with you, because it will nag at you until you get it done. That's right. And when something is kind of like nipping at your heels or you're being kind of nudged in a certain way, the only way to get rid of that nipping at your heels you've got to give it some attention. Right, that's right. You've got to do something to take care of it. And I can say, when I started writing, I've always wanted to, but you know, life gets in the way and things of that nature um, when I started it was like couldn't stop. For me just couldn't stop. Couldn't stop, idea after idea after idea. And you know my first works were fiction. So you know, I think you can do more with fiction than sometimes reality. But it's okay. Uh, it was something I wanted to do, got it accomplished and I'm okay with it. Now I have other things that I would love to write about, but time constraints. But then first, itchy pulling nipping at my heel is not as exaggerated now as it was in the beginning, if that makes sense.
Speaker 2:Okay, okay, yes.
Speaker 1:Okay, Now we talked a little bit about your publishing journey. Now did you self-publish this book.
Speaker 2:I did.
Speaker 1:Okay, great Okay, your book is in hardback, right, it is Okay. Okay, your book is in hardback, right it?
Speaker 2:is.
Speaker 1:Okay, okay, how was that process?
Speaker 2:It was not as bad or as challenging as I thought it would have been. And this, you know, just having this conversation with you, carolyn, is just sort of reminding me of how awesome God is, because it just pushed me. It really pushed me. You know, I've never created a book in my life, you know, and being a self-publisher, I had to do everything, but I had to learn how to do it, you. But I had to learn how to do it. You know, I had to learn how to do it. I tell people I have two new best friends and their names are Google and YouTube. Those were my go-tos, I'm telling you. And everything is on the internet. Everything is out there. Whatever you have questions about you're not sure about, just Google it, you know, or YouTube it, and you'll be amazed. So just just to join in and inserting a picture on a page, you know, and then having to fit the scripture to the page as well and then fit in the title, and it was just, it was an amazing process.
Speaker 2:And after I because before doing that, after I did not hear back from the New York publisher and just kind of, you know, got myself back together I reached out to a local publishing company here, or printer, called Rocky Heights Rocky Heights, a print and binding which is located in Homewood on West Valley Avenue. So I reached out to them, set an appointment and they said, okay, yes, we'd love to create your book for you. However, this is what we need you to do. So even with that, they don't do all the work. You still have to put your book together and then they do the printing of the book. So they explain how everything work and you know hardback versus you know softcover the whole nine, the whole nine. But yeah, it's a learning process and with self-publishing, that means that I didn't pay any other company. I had to pay them to print it, but everything about picture-to-picture I own.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's great, that's great, that's great. And hey, right here under your nose.
Speaker 2:Right here, under your nose, exactly, and I highly recommend Rocky Heights. They're great to work with. You know they're patient and they explained everything to me. And you know, anytime I'm ordering new books or a set of you know additional books, they'll send me an email. Hey, this is where you are, you've sold so many and you know, do you want to replenish? And so, yeah, it's been great working with them. That's good, that is really good.
Speaker 1:That's good, that is really good, because that can be grueling, especially after your first experience, being not the best results that you wanted. Right To trust somebody again is hard. Now, how do you engage your readers? You have a particular way of doing that.
Speaker 2:Say that again, I'm sorry. How do you engage your readers? Really, my biggest, I guess, platform, if you will, would be via social media. You know I'm always sharing photographs about picture to picture and just sort of giving updates. You know about my book and I've reached out to libraries around the city, and not just libraries and not just in Birmingham, but you know surrounding areas and outside of the state of Alabama and promoting my book that way in order to engage readers. So that's been rewarding. That's been interesting.
Speaker 2:You know, sort of like sight unseen. You know, please, hey, let me come and talk about my book. They know nothing about me or my book, but, yeah, just and and asking people to allow me to come for whether it's a women's conference, whether it's, like I said, at the local library, if they have, you know, get to know your author day or some type of event like that, like that, and then I'll go and do a talk back and share my book. And I've even gone to my alma mater, talladega College. I reached out to let them know that I have a book and I wanted to go and share with the students there and that was just. That was the ultimate for me to go back to the school I graduated from, where I learned much of my writing skills and shared my book with the students there. So, but yeah, the word of mouth, doing the homework, doing the legwork, reaching out to organizations, to individuals, and just letting them know, because nobody's going to promote my book like me, no one.
Speaker 2:I mean no one People can tell you all day long I'm so proud of you and congratulations and that's awesome, but nobody's going to really, really, really promote my book, like me.
Speaker 1:No one, absolutely no one. You learn so much. Um, this young lady. She came to work one day. I'm now a published author and I'm so happy for I'm clapping the whole bit. I was like I am so happy for you, that's something I've always wanted to do. And she was like right, miss Carolyn, right. And I was like I, I probably will. But I was just so happy for her. And so one day we were talking after I had written and she said you know, writing is not the hard part, it's the marketing. Yeah, they didn't tell us that part and we had a big laugh about it, because you can't take it to heart what you don't know. But you have to learn. The process is out here. It's just where do we get started? You know how do we get started and I know when you were saying that you went back to Talladega to do basically promote your book. That's just like coming full circle. So I know that had to mean a lot to you.
Speaker 2:It did.
Speaker 1:So you know, and that's wonderful. Now, how were you received? Were you well received?
Speaker 2:I was well received. As a matter of fact, each place and to God be the glory. Each place I've gone to promote my book and to share my book and to engage with other people has been just so rewarding for me. You know, I've met other authors and we've shared each other's books. But yes, just, I haven't had. You know, I've had people saying it's been such an interesting discussion because once you see the pictures in my book, you know it's like, wow, when did you take a picture of that? Well, I never would have paid any attention to that. And I've had people just say, well, you know what, I don't see what you see, but this is what I see and it's been so mind blowing it really has. As a matter of fact, carolyn, I was at, I was at Hueytown Primary School a couple of weeks ago and they had the Black History Program and asked people to come in to read to the book to the children and whether you had a book or not, whether you had written a book or not, and so I was there and the kids were maybe six, seven years old and I was showing them some pictures and it was, it was so awesome, it was because there was.
Speaker 2:You know, kids, they're going to just say whatever you know. And it was so awesome because they, they would look at the picture and, uh, and I'd say, well, what do you see right here, you know, and they just blurted out and blurted out and I said, well, this is what I saw. And they said, huh, and it was so beautiful, it really was. So even I don't care how old you are, where you come from, what your background is, we're all God's children and everybody is different and everybody sees things different, and that makes the world go round, you know it does.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and even when you write and you get people to try to interpret uh, not to try to interpret what's your interpretation of this they may come out with a totally different scenario. Not just a picture, but but in the words that they have read. So you know, we all have our own imaginations or the way that we perceive things to be. Sometimes it's best to get the quote, unquote, whole picture. You know, when you're doing a demonstration or read, you can't read the entire book, and you know it reminds me of just art. It is art. What do you see? What you see will be different than what I see. It's art. It is definitely that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but I've really been having fun with my book and I believe I love to have fun. I tell people all the time I'm a kid at heart, you know. I'd rather I'd rather be having fun than just doing whatever. But but this has been fun for me because I've met so many people as a result of my book and made some really great connections, like with you, you know, and I'm just enjoying it. I really am, I'm having a ball with it and I can't thank you enough again for having me on your podcast as a guest. So this has been great.
Speaker 1:Oh, you're more than welcome. That was another thing I learned, and whoever would have thought that I would have a podcast, I mean.
Speaker 1:I didn't want to write my story. I just wanted to get my fiction out there and I also do. What do we call it Inspirational nonfiction, so it can be scripturally based or a part of the anthologies, and that has helped with writing as well. But it pulls on you because it is true life experiences that you've been through, you know, um, and you want to craft it in a way you know that's compelling to the reader but at the same time you're telling your story, um, and those have been interesting, uh, to be a part of. They have been rewarding to be a part of. So you know, you get a chapter, you write your chapter and you have it placed in the anthropology and it's one we're working on now Women of the Waiting Room 2, Volume 2. And you know the waiting room is different things to different people. You know you have various experiences in the waiting room. So you write about your waiting room experience. So it has been a journey. I'm glad of it, but I said that to say when I started.
Speaker 1:I did locate some platforms to be on, but it's kind of a struggle, Okay. So I created this platform for new authors for new authors and not just new authors or first-time authors, but also because I'm a nurse. You know we do health-related topics on here as well, but you need a platform in order for, you know, to garner new readers or to get information out to the listening audience. So we'll be on several platforms, you know, national and international, so you'll garner all of that.
Speaker 1:But that was someone said you need to do a podcast. I'm like, I don't think so, you know. So it's a lot of things aren't in your mind to do, but I have met some very interesting authors by having this platform and I've interviewed some very various people in various aspects of their career in medicine and sharing their stories and sharing their testimonies about why they started this business or why they became this and where they are now. So it has been good for me to hear because, you know, a lot of times we're just in our own little world you know, so to hear what someone else has to say and do is inspiring in and of itself.
Speaker 1:So what future plans do you have? Are you going to do a volume two?
Speaker 2:that's a good question. Um, I'm not sure, because I'm still taking pictures. Just being out and about, you know, I can see something and it just catches my eye. So, volume two a volume two is definitely a consideration, definitely a consideration. But I'm thinking too that I've actually submitted to the Sidewalk Film Festival here in Birmingham, which is a great event that I highly recommend to anyone who's not familiar with Sidewalk. But I've had a couple of films to be accepted and to premiere a few years ago.
Speaker 2:So I love all things film just about, I really do especially documentary films, because those create, you know, allow people to share their stories. My first film was on a young man that I met in the trustful area when I was living out there, and I knew that was something, something very unique, something very special about him, in a beautiful way. And, and what struck me about him was, you know, when I would go to the Y and work out and I see him there, and whenever he'd speak to people he always called them by their name, you know. And, and that just blew my mind. I'm thinking, how does he remember everybody's name, you know?
Speaker 2:So I got to know him and wrote a letter to his parents and said hi, my name is Sonia Mitchell, I'm a filmmaker and I've met your son, jesse, and I'd like to get to know him a little bit better and share his story, do you mind? And so they responded graciously and said Jesse is autistic, but we'd love for you to share his story. And so I titled that one Jesse Speaks, and I spelled Speaks S-P-E-E-K-S, because I just wanted it to be different. And so Derek Jesse's story is a short film, but I wanted everybody to know Jesse, you know. And so that was a beautiful thing. So I just love documentary films and I'm just in prayer about what would be my next film and hopefully submit it to not only Sidewalk but other festivals around the country and just see what happens.
Speaker 1:That's great. Oh, that's great. Oh, that goes into. Yeah, that's great. I have been to sidewalk. It has been a while, but I found it to be very interesting. I like people, I like to see what their creative mind brings out, and so it's just, I was. I'm one of those people who I never would have thought to do that. Oh, that's one you know. But yes, I have been to sidewalk and I have enjoyed it. Um, and then you get busy and you forget about certain things, or you just don't have time to do it.
Speaker 1:But I do encourage everyone, if you get an opportunity, to go to the sidewalk festival or any of the artsy um artsy crowds, because usually they have music out there as well. They have a live band and things of that nature. I love to see them creating different things and they offer classes.
Speaker 2:They have workshops during the festival. So for people who are interested in writing or making films or editing or the financial side of filmmaking they or editing or you know the financial side of filmmaking they have these workshops that are included in the festival. Of course there's a cost associated with the weekend activities, but it's worth it. It's worth it.
Speaker 1:Sure, I mean, if you believe in what you're doing and if you want to really learn something, yeah, that's going to be a cost to some things. I know everybody likes free, but it takes money to set up for these events.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's an investment in yourself.
Speaker 1:It is an investment in yourself. So you have to think that I'm worth it and I am worth this investment, and that is what you need to think of when you're thinking of monies and what you really want to do.
Speaker 2:And it's never too late, you know, it's never too late to start, it's never too late. I tell people that all the time. You know, I've always wanted to write a book. I've always wanted to, you know. Or I want to go back to school, whatever, it's never too late. So, again, it's not easy, but just just OK. Again it's not easy, but just say okay, you know what. I'm going to do this, even if I don't write, but 10 minutes a day. You know you got to start somewhere. So let me encourage you to write that book, to create that film, to go back to school to. You know, take that baking class or whatever you're interested in doing. Write that poem, Please do it.
Speaker 1:I agree and I tell people I would not want you to live in a life of regret, regretting that you never did some of the things that are positive, that you want to do. Something that's going to be a part of you and you don't want to live in that land. I would have, could or should have, you know, because, like we said earlier, it'll be just kind of like nagging at you just a little bit for you to get it done. Okay, now what advice would you give an aspiring author based on your experience?
Speaker 2:To pray about it. And once you've actually prayed about whatever you want to write about, then do your research, do your homework and start writing. You know if you, if you write 10 minutes a day or two pages a day, but start, you know and work with what you have. Start, you know and work with what you have. I've learned that you don't have to have a fancy computer or you know this tablet, or just get a notebook and a pencil and just start writing. You know, use what you have. The story is there. The story is in you. You know you are a creative being. We all are. We all are.
Speaker 2:Everybody is different. So don't look at someone else's story or don't look at someone else how someone else does theirs, because you're different. And embrace your difference. Embrace who you are, accept who you are and just do it. You know, and if you're not able to self-publish, then reach out, because there are times that you may be able to get a sponsor.
Speaker 2:You just never know. You may be able to go to your church and talk to your pastor and say I'm interested in writing this book, but I don't have the funds. You never know how people will invest in you, because most people want to see you succeed and they want to see you make it, you know, but, but just start a few minutes a day writing down something. Write the title down, write the title of your book or whatever you think you want to do, and put it on your refrigerator as a reminder. You know, this is what I want to do and keep in mind it's not about you, you know. So, when you create something, just know you're not creating it for yourself. You know, ultimately you're going to be proud of what you've accomplished, but just think about the lives that you can impact by just telling your story.
Speaker 1:Oh, I agree with you. I totally agree. Yes, you know what's the term Get her done. You know, however long it takes you you're on your own timetable. Like you say, 10 minutes a day, Just do it.
Speaker 2:Make the commitment. Yeah, make the commitment, yeah, make the commitment, because you know, as they say. Now you know, life starts lifing and things come up and things get in the way. That is true If you say you know what, I'm going to just carve out 10 minutes, and then, before you know it, that 10 minutes turns into 20 minutes and then half an hour.
Speaker 2:You know doing it, and so it can be done. It can be done. I don't care how busy we are and what our professions are. You know it can be done. So don't, don't, don't, don't tell yourself well, I'm too busy, well, I can't write, well, I don't know how to start, because it's just a matter of starting and talking to reach out to Carolyn. You know she's a great resource, she is an excellent resource, a plethora of information that she's willing to share in order to help you get started. So, yes, get her done.
Speaker 1:That's wonderful. I appreciate that, Because one thing connections matter. You know, once you connect with good people and you see the work that they do, I don't mind passing that name on. You know, but you do have to invest in yourself.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:That, that definitely has to happen.
Speaker 2:Right. And then when you're doing it, you know those people who will listen to this podcast. When you're doing it, don't stress out about it. Make it fun. You know, make it fun because you don't want to be stressed. It's not something that's supposed to stress you out and have you been out of shape and you get all worked up. No, make it laugh at yourself. You know you're going to make mistakes and be like oh Lord, I won't do that again. So you know you laugh at yourself. You find the humor in it and that's how you get through it, you know. And talk to someone else. You know, talk to other people but at the end of the day, if you have the vision, a lot of people won't see your vision. A lot of people will probably tell you girl, I wouldn't do that because it makes no guy, it wouldn't make any sense at all, but it's your vision. So not everybody is going to see things that you see.
Speaker 1:Never, never going to see it. Some people will never see it. They'll never see it.
Speaker 2:They will never see it, and that's okay, because God made you different, I agree.
Speaker 1:I agree. I agree If it's what you want to do and, like I said, if it's constructed, do it Because, like you say, it's your vision. God gave you that vision. He didn't give it to you, he didn't give it to someone. So you do what he has given you to do, you meet the requirements of what he has asked you to do and it'll be okay.
Speaker 2:It'll be just fine.
Speaker 1:Because everyone is different. And I know some people have asked me well, how much money have you made on books? And I went is that a thing? Is that a thing? Well, I said I'm not writing for I'm an indie author. Go look that up. You know I give them a little project. Go, go look that up. You know I give them a little project. Go look that up. You know, a lot of times we write for self-satisfaction. You know people, you know you will get those type of questions. Now, how has your writing or publishing your book changed you professionally and or professionally?
Speaker 2:It's really. It's really, I think and I don't know if this would be more on a professional level or personal level but it's really given me more confidence in something Once I completed this book.
Speaker 2:it's like, too, I had people to help me like the cover of my book was. The illustration on the cover was done by my great nephew, the brilliant Chaston Hopper. Miss Carla Youngblood, a very, very dear friend, did the editing for me, you know. So I didn't just do this by myself. I had people who actually had a hand in helping me to create this book. So, and I've also learned too, that you know as a result of doing this book that it's okay to ask for help because I don't know everything you know, so ask for help.
Speaker 2:But, yes, it's given me more of a sense of confidence that I can do. If I did this, I could do other things. I can do other things. So, so, yes, I would say that would be the biggest thing.
Speaker 1:That's great. That's great Because, yes to everything you said. It does give you confidence and even though you have help, you have help. And even though you have help, you have help. Even though you self-publish, you still had help, you know. So you get to meet people in this arena if you will. That will give you tips and tools to do more. You know, whether that was your intent or not, it's just, it all falls into place.
Speaker 2:Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1:I know. So that's wonderful, that is absolutely wonderful. Now, where can people find you and your book?
Speaker 2:you and your book. People can find me and my book via my website, which is wwwsuitsmecom, and suits me is spelled S-O-O-T-S-M-Ecom, wwwsuitsmecom. S M E dot com, wwwsuitsmecom. Okay, and I'm also on social media.
Speaker 1:I'm sorry, that's what I was going to say social media.
Speaker 2:I'm also on social media as Sonja Sam Mitchell. Sonja is spelled S-O-N-Y-A. Sam Mitchell is all together. Sonja Sam Mitchell, please follow me on Instagram, facebook. I'd love to hear from you and I'd love to have your support of Picture to Picture. I think you would be blessed by my book and just from you know, if nothing else, seeing a picture that might just stand out, or even a scripture that touches your heart. So I'd love to have your support.
Speaker 1:That is wonderful. Thank you, Sonia, for being a guest on Gentry's Journey. We have truly enjoyed having you. It has been a blessing to have you here today to tell us about your book and your experience. I think people will grow from what they hear from you.
Speaker 2:Thank you.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much. I think that that will truly happen and it will give them some encouragement to go ahead and do what they're seeking to do in their creative mind.
Speaker 2:Right, right, just do it. Do it, you'll feel so much better about yourself. So, yes, do it.
Speaker 1:Okay, well, thank you so much. Thank you, listening audience. We do do it. Okay, well, thank you so much. Thank you, listening audience. We do appreciate it. We're in true gentry fashion. We're going to close with the scripture that we opened up with when a man waits and flees into the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. That's Proverbs 16 and 7. So, thank you everyone. Thank you, sonia, you have a wonderful day and we'll chat soon.