Author of Blue’s Treasure and The Gatekeeper of Secrets,
this decorated storyteller have stepped into the literary scene as a blushing
novice. With her unwavering support to authors and her growth as a
writer in a competitive industry, Brown had expanded her brand – with her
business partner, Jeanell Byers – Taylor – and created “Beautifully Me
Undefined”, a blog for the spirit of women of all shapes and sizes.
This breast cancer survivor, a mother of six, and a grandmother
to four, Tamyara Brown’s literary legacy is only in its infancy. Her natural ability
to give life to her characters and the vividness of her storylines, proves this
author will leave a indelible mark as a unforgettable novelist.
Imani: First off, welcome to The Pink Lounge. I'm very
excited you're here, not because you and I share similar backgrounds and
interests, but you have an incredible and inspiring story. So, in your own
words tell the readers who Tamyara Brown is?
Tamyara: Tamyara Brown is an author who loves writing
outside of the box. I am a mother of six beautiful children as well as a
grandmother of four beautiful grandchildren. I am resilient. I am an entrepreneur I love inspiring and seeing others do well.
Imani: From what I read on your bio, your strength as a
mother of six, a Breast Cancer survivor and of Domestic Violence, and caring
for your son who has a rare kidney condition is an inspiration itself. That
being said, as a writer myself, I know creativity doesn't come in the drop of a
hat; it'll come when it comes. So tell me, how you muster the time, and more
importantly, the emotions to write such eloquent work?
Tamyara: It is my passion, my joy but most of all a way for
me to express myself as a person. A lot of my writing is inspired by the
community I live in, people I meet every day and encounter with. As writers we
often listen more and we are drawn to always ask, "What if"? My mind
wonders what would happen if this person or situation went a different route.
Sitting with my son at dialysis is my down time to really write and pour myself
into the book I am writing. It is an attitude that trials and tribulations will
not stop me at all.
Imani: All of your children seem to be one of your sources
of inspiration; especially giving you words of encouragement. But a young man
named, Ruben, pushes you into believing you can do ANYTHING your heart desire.
Tell us more about this motivator and what's the recent "words of
wisdom" he had shared with his mother?
Tamyara: He is indeed my inspiration he has been battling a
rare kidney disease named FSGS and nephritic syndrome. He has endured many
challenges and now being on dialysis three times a week, 25 pills a day and he
still smiles. He encourages me because my belief is if he can fight with every
fiber of his being to stay resilient. I have no excuse. His last quote was
during therapy, “The greatest love is letting go of what doesn't feel like
love, what doesn't treat me like love and hurts so much it burns your heart. I
let go of this one person because I love me the best and I don't deserve love
that hurts. No one does."
“The greatest love is letting go of what doesn't feel like love, what doesn't treat me like love and hurts so much it burns your heart. I let go of this one person because I love me the best and I don't deserve love that hurts. No one does."
Imani: What I'm most
impressed with you is the soul you put into your work - from your debut novel
"Blues Treasure", to "The Gatekeeper of Secrets, and your
upcoming release, "Fat Girl Vigilante", how did your soul speak to
you to write each story? Let's start off with "Blues Treasure" and
then to your next works.
Tamyara: Blue's Treasure was truly inspired by a
relationship with someone I love and though we are not together he loved me
unconditionally. He was incarcerated and I decided to go into his world of how
it felt to have the woman he loves not write or visit. Even though the story is
fictional the emotion is real. I thought of the consequences, the pain and
anger he felt and how powerful love really is. That men love just as hard as
women do. I wanted to put the question out there does love really conquer all?
Can love cut through anger? Does it mend a broken heart and most importantly
men no matter how tough and strong have feelings at the end of the day. Harper
Blue was created in the likeness of him. I also wanted to touch on domestic
violence and that professional women become abused by their mate. I touch on
forgiveness and drug abuse.
Gatekeepers of
Secrets is one of my favorite novels which is on Wattpad. It touches on a man
who is sexually molested as a child and for all these years he has kept it
secret. He was raised in a Christian home and a father who is the pillar of
the community. How do you tell the world the Bishop of the church and community
leader is a child molester? I allowed my mind to go places of a man who has it
all together, who too is a community leader but also has a dark past. So many
people believe when a man is molested he turns to drugs and alcohol which isn't
true. In William Matters case he became driven, ambitious, working without
sleep for hours to cover up the truth.
Fat Girl Vigilante was written out of anger, hurt and pain I
was going through. It was being angry at the world and I needed to vent. So I
created a story about a woman who is the first serial killer. She is on a
rampage but more than anything she can't get over the hurt and pain of being
teased as a plus size woman, being cheated on and not feeling love. I want
every woman of size to realize you can fix the outer but the inner is what is
in need of repair.
Imani: Besides being a prolific author, you're also a poet. When
did you start writing the craft? And will you publish your poetry, or
collaborate with other poets to make an anthology?
Tamyara: Poetry is my first love and I started writing when
I was 11 years old. I became inspired by a poem Langston Hughes wrote called,
"The Negro Mother". I instantly became fan and started writing my own
poetry. I began writing every day and I haven't stopped. I would love to
publish my poetry for the world to read and I have contributed poetry to three
anthologies.
Imani: As an artist, we
have muses or person(s) we admired to help shape our craft. So, who is your
inspiration and if they were here right now, what would say to them?
Tamyara: I have to say I admire Treasure Blue as an
inspiration. Kisha Green for the business portion and you, Imani. Each of you
drop gold nuggets of knowledge about the business. I truly thank each of you
for every tip and lesson about writing. For being open and honest. Willing to
answer questions and listen. I am grateful for each of you because I am better
writer because of it. Imani, we both where new to writing and you'd email me
information. You gave me my first guest blogging spot. That meant the world to
me.
Imani: They say life is a
journey and you are a proven fact. In the last year, you've taken up a new
passion - graphic designing. How did you learn to balance this new craft with
an already full-plate?
Tamyara: Graphic Designing came from honestly not being able
to afford one. My Uncle Khalid once told me, “If you can't afford it then learn
how to do it yourself." I begin looking at videos on Youtube, reading
blogs, learning how to code and just practicing every day. I just ran with it
and it became more like a second new passion of mine.
Imani: Among your notable titles, you're also a
blogger. You have a successful blog called, Beautifully Me Undefined. Tell us
more about this site and how did you come up with the concept?
Tamyara: Beautifully Me Undefined came about one day when I
realize we as women don't celebrate our bodies, ourselves. We think celebrating
you have to perfect. A size two or four. I wanted plus size women to be bold,
feel beautifully themselves at all times and live life without limitations.
Your weight doesn't and never will determine your worth. It became a movement
along with my partner Jeanell Byers- Taylor. I want plus size women to feel
empowered. I want women all over the world to feel sexy and rock their curves.
Beauty and Love doesn't have a waist size.
Imani: Okay, let me say to all of the readers, this woman is a
powerhouse when it comes to writing. She writes all of time, despite of an
uncertain publishing date - she goes on no matter what. So, within your library
of finished work or work-in-progress, or even Beautifully Me Undefined what can
we expect from Tamyara Brown in the future?
Tamyara: Thank you, Imani. I am currently working on a story
called, “I AM Here" which you read on Wattpad. I am also working on
another book called the, " B.L.A.H Diaries" (Broke, Lonely, Angry and
Horny). As For Beautifully Me Undefined it is my goal to have my first
conference of workshops, celebrity speakers and two days of empowering plus
size women to step out of their shell and shine. Filled with tips on fashion,
make-up, hair, how to open and start a business as well as self-publishing your
book.
Imani: Tell us one thing
you haven't shared with your readers. It can be a quirk, a favorite food, or a
hidden talent. The floor is yours.
Tamyara: I love to write erotica. Often people are afraid of
the SEX word. I like stepping out of myself and creating a moment that will
make people melt away their inhibitions. Sex is about power play of the mind,
the soul and heart. Using those three to seduce a reader to think hmm I would
like to try that with my husband/lover. I love writing what people are afraid
to talk about. It is like the librarian who has a crush on the security guard.
Or the business woman who is infatuated with the thug or the nerd. Imagine the
magic you can ignite between those two souls once they let go of what people
might think. The man who models but desires a plus size woman. Erotica gives me
permission to break boundaries and change the rules of what is sexy. Every man
and woman has a definition of what they consider sexy. Erotica gives you the
room to explore and make people squirm in their seats.
"Erotica gives me permission to break boundaries and change the rules of what is sexy. Every man and woman has a definition of what they consider sexy. Erotica gives you the room to explore and make people squirm in their seats."
Imani: What I admire most about you is your no-nonsense approach
of how beauty is supposed to be; whether of what shape or size, your mantra is
"Beauty is skin deep". So, are we to expect an erotic novel proving
size doesn't matter in the bedroom?
Tamyara: Yes and I think sexy is the confidence a woman
feels. For a moment I use to think sexy is the right size, the right body, the
pretty face, hair etc. The truth is sexy is about letting go fears of what YOU
think. The novel will challenge the myths we create about our bodies. A man
wanting you to fit society standards for beauty. I want plus size beauties to
know they can be sexy and there are men who love every inch of them.
Imani: Finally, if you were to plan a dinner party and have
extended the guest list with three legendary figures (living or not), who would
they be and what would you say to each of them?
Tamyara: I would like to invite Maya Angelou, J. California
Cooper, Langston Hughes, Terry McMillian, James Patterson, Jodi Piccoult,
Danielle Steele and Mary B. Morrison.
Imani: Great choices. Now before we conclude our chat, could you
share with readers where they can learn more about FSGS and Nephrotic syndrome?
Tamyara: For more information on FSGS and Nephritic Syndrome. Please
go to www.nephcure.org, which is a community centered on finding a cure for FSGS
(Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis) and Nephrotic Syndrome.
Imani: Tamyara, thank you for taking the time to stop by The
Lounge for this conversation. I had a blast. Tell the readers where you they
can purchase "Blues Treasure" and your other works, as well as
finding you on the web?
Twitter: @tamluvstowrite
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tamluvstowrite
email: tamluvstowrite@gmail.com
3 comments:
This was an awesome interview Imani. Tamyara you are empowering, and inspiring. I look forward to reading you:)
My Friend, My sister I loved this you did an awesome job. I say get it up and watch where God take you love you.
Thank you, Danica. Tamyara's story was amazing. As I read through its entirety, my jaw dropped. I knew of her story from our telephone conversations, but actually seeing it meshed together as a story was compelling.
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