Aside – Tanela Writes

My Story

My Story

I wanted to take some time to introduce myself to my new fellow, readers, writers, and friends. I was recently reminded to share my story. My journey as a writer has not been a simple one. Everyone’s journey is unique, so I will not claim anything special, but I will say I have not shared my own so here goes.

I have always been creative and made up stories. I love talking and my imagination has and likely will always run on a wavelength all its own. And reading was a constant for me and my family. I did not embrace my ability to create stories until after the birth of my 1st child. If you have visited my Dreams of the Heart page, this piece of the story you may know. Dreams of the Heart came by way of a dream. Really it was a nightmare that turned one scene, one horrible thought into a story of triumph and love. I wrote Dreams of the Heart over a 7-year span. Throughout that time I had another child, graduated with a degree in Computer Networking, elevated my career as an IT Professional for a major banking institution, and grew as a wife. Sometime after the 2017 publication of my first novel, I begin to see the world differently. I did not have dreams of a Danielle Steele writing life, I just wanted joy out of my personal career choices. After a year of hard trials and mental strains; God led me to, or I should say pulled me back toward my passions. I reenrolled in school and started the Master in Library Science program. And as if that wasn’t enough I decided to start another book.

In February of 2019, I published my second novel Twin Souls: A Blue Moon Novel, and started a new career as a library professional. This marks a major transition from corporate America, to public service. Before this change, I spent many years striving to be accepted as a black technology professional. I worked very hard on my technical certifications and skillset. It was odd to start over. But necessary.

So, 5 years later I still do not regret my decision. As a public service employee for a public library, I have held an adult librarian role, a training role, and now a manager role. This work connects with my passions of learning, reading, and creativity. I have been able to move more freely and be my more authentic self. The nerdy things I love are typically welcomed. Talking about fantasy books is not only acceptable, but in some library roles required. Most importantly I get to make an impact on the community around me. My work means something and that is all anyone can ask for. While it is a cliché statement, it rings true; If you love your job, you will never work a day in your life.

I hope everyone who visits my page finds their passion. I hope you find your joy and lean into your callings. I have and finally can be me, Tanela Hicks- Librarian, Author, and Friend.

Events, people, and things can hold us in places we do not always want to be. Sometimes, these memories can be like a lifeline, keeping us grounded.

Other times, they can be like a rope, following us around. Memories can keep us bound to places, things, or people we otherwise would move on from.

I remember when my first adult memory locked me in place. It was paralyzing and overwhelming. I remember the smell and what I was wearing. I remember the location. And of course, I remember the feeling. I will spare you the details since it was not a pleasant one. I will tell you this, that memory had a hell of a tether. It followed me around for decades as a reminder of all the things I wanted to forget and simultaneously needed to always remember.

I often wondered if it was the memory that held on to me or if I held on to the memory. I guess we will never truly know. About three years ago, that locked-in memory—the one that hurt the most, the one I rarely shared and even less often allowed myself to think about—finally loosened its grip on my heart. I was happy to be delivered from the pain.

Now that this freedom runs free in my mind, I can remember other associated things. I can recall the circumstances as learning lessons. I can remember the people, places, and things involved without strife. I have since learned that it wasn’t about letting go; it was about accepting that event as a part of my story.

Sometimes the best way to lose a memory is to welcome it as part of your story. Acknowledging its effect on your life, owning the pain, and placing it in the proper context within your life story. Good, bad, or otherwise, the things and people that touch us are forever a part of our narrative. Perhaps by letting go and welcoming the memory, you can feel better about your past and maybe even share it with others to help them.

Everyone loves a good book right, even if it is still being written.

ANNOUNCING THE FIRST EVER TanelaWrites CONTEST:

Win a Special Book Box Prize just in time for the holidays!

Here’s how it works. Receive one 1 entry for each of the following actions:

Share my FB page. TanelaWrites on FB Click Here!
Review my novel Dreams of the Heart on Amazon. Click Here!
Review my novel on Dreams of the Heart Barnes and Noble. Click Here!
Review my novel Dreams of the Heart on GoodReads.com. Click Here!
Subscribe to my website. Look to your Right!

The winner will be selected from a random drawing on November 15th, 2017 and notified via email.

It’s easy, it’s fun, and its free…come engage with me.

Thank you all for your support.

National Novel Writing Month 2017

It is National Novel Writing Month. November is the month to stretch your muscle, and your fingers to create the next great novel right. RIGHT!

National Novel Writing Month has a special place in my heart. This year as many may know, I published my first novel. I started Dreams of the Heart before my first participation year of NaNo, however the year I did participate, my first experience was the best. I was so encouraged, and simultaneously paranoid about my first novel project. Looking back, it was comical how scared I was to share my work, or even the amount of words I wrote; which is main element in the NaNo challenge I develop my own word count marco spreadsheet. Given my background in Information Technology, this is not an unrealistic resolution. Despite my misguided attempted at NaNo, through my writing journey I have learned that sharing helps you gain insight and perspective on everything from characters, to plot timing.

This year I will be focusing on the ending transition for series format and the overall rewrite. I plan to have these steps fully completed y NOVEMEBER 30^th. This is important because I plan to publish my novel Twin Souls: A Blue Moon Series Novel is the winter of 2018. Getting the book to my editor is my primary goal for the end of 2017 and National Novel Writing Month is the best time to push myself to new goals.

I am looking forward to interacting more with the writing community and learning more about writing dialogue and time shifting within a single plot. Writing is my life.

Please keep in touch and follow me on this journey right here on my TanelaWrites.

Asides

My Story

What Is A Memory

ANNOUNCING THE FIRST EVER TanelaWrites CONTEST:

National Novel Writing Month 2017