Few
would expect the flannel-dressed girl typing feverishly on her sticker-pasted
laptop to be the founder and editor-in-chief of a popular music website.
However, Acacia Evans, an Entertainment Industry Studies Major at Belmont
University, has never been one to “think inside the box.” At age fifteen, Acacia
started media outlet turned digital magazine, Big City Thoughts, which has grown to include staff writers and
photographers.
This
past week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Acacia about her journey with Big City Thoughts.
To begin the interview, would you tell readers aboutBig City Thoughts?
-Hey! Thanks again for thinking
of me. Big City Thoughts is a digital magazine/online media outlet I created
when I was 15-years-old. Originating in the alternative/rock scene, I finally
decided that I wanted to expand into different genres. In the spring of 2015, I
temporarily left school for health reasons. While I was home, I decided to make
Big City Thoughts into a digital magazine so our audience could flip through
our work in one place.
What motivated you to startBig
City Thoughtsas a teen?
-This is actually really funny
so please no judging! When I was in middle school, I was obsessed with the
Jonas Brothers. Everything about them: their fan base, live shows, and
obviously good looks were extremely fascinating to me. I thought to myself,
“I’m going to interview them one day.”
Did you face adversity, negativity from others?
-I think no matter what
industry you’re in or what company you run, you’re always going to run into hardships.
The media outlet/concert photographer world can get extremely competitive. I’m
not a very competitive person, but I think this industry sometimes brings out a
side of me that I’m not too happy about. I’ve learned throughout the past
couple of years that empowerment is so much stronger and healthier than
competition and jealousy. Better for your mental health as well.
How has the magazine grown?
-The magazine has grown in ways
that I have absolutely never imagined. I have writers. I have photographers. I
have friends that help me run our social media accounts and who coordinate our
live show coverage. I’m photographing in arenas. I mean, it’s truly incredible
how much support and help I’ve gotten. It’s amazing to have a team of friends
and family behind me who are helping me grow more and more every day.
What are your goals for the future?
-I always find this a difficult
question because my goals change everyday. As of right now, I want to expand
our viewership and following on all platforms. I also want to make sure that we
are covering all genres of music and successfully doing so.
After years of working with the magazine, what’s been your
favorite experience so far?
-I think my favorite experience
so far was shooting Demi Lovato for the first time back in March of 2014 at the
Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. I have been a huge fan of Demi since my Jonas
Brothers days and have always looked up to her for so many reasons. Demi
battles mental illness and I do as well, so it’s incredible to see her up on
stage in a really raw and vulnerable state.
If you could give advice to all the young people with large
dreams, what would you tell them?
-I feel like people get sick of
being told to “just do it,” but it’s entirely true. If you want to do
something, take action. I also feel like a lot of people hold back on chasing
their dreams due to age, but to me, age is literally just a number. It’s never
too late to start chasing!
Tessa Emily Hall, award-winning author of
“Purple Moon,” and
Caroline George, author of “The Prime Way
Trilogy,”
set to hold workshop for aspiring authors
at the Anderson County Museum
(Nashville, Tenn.) – The teen author duo, Tessa Emily Hall and
Caroline George, will host a writing and publishing workshop, Write Now, on October 8, 2016 at the Anderson County Museum, 202 E
Greenville St, Anderson, SC from 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM. Write Now caters to teen and adult writers, and offers inspiration
as well as step-by-step guidelines that will increase chances of publication.
Unlike
other workshops, Write Now motivates
writers to pursue author careers with realistic expectations and knowledge of
the current marketplace. Tessa Emily Hall, award-winning author, blogger and
agent intern, shatters the misconceptions surrounding the traditional
publishing realm and offers editing and pitch tips. Caroline George, two-time Georgia Author of the Year nominee,
multi-self-published author and marketing intern for Harper Collins Publishing,
offers an in-depth look at the setup of a publishing house and the process of
self-publication. Participants will leave Write
Now with a better understanding of the industry and be equipped with
writing, editing and marketing tools to assist their efforts.
Tessa’s debut novel, “Purple Moon,”
which was published while she was still in her teen years, has been vastly
praised. Actress Alyson Stoner, known for her
roles in Cheaper by the Dozen, Camp Rock and Step Up, said about “Purple Moon,” “Tessa offers a glance at the complex
and all-too-commonly dysfunctional nature of relationships--to self, to family
and peers--especially as we're learning to navigate the world on our own.
Nimbly, she also interweaves hope amidst suffering; promise amidst frustration;
restoration and wholeness among chaos and confusion; and endurance and vibrance
among the throes of life. Purple Moon feels like the perfect side-hug to my
teenage self, which reassures me I'm not alone, but knows I'm highly hormonal
and not in the mood to romanticize life’s messes.”
At fifteen years of age, Caroline
self-published the first book in her trilogy, “The Prime Way Program: Be the
Victor.” Since then, the series has gained worldwide readership and gushing
reviews from readers such as “George's world
building is stunning and character development is amazingly strong. Her
dedication to this book and characters is also not something to be overlooked.
[…] Truly an amazing story.”
From the get-go, when Tessa and
Caroline first met to discuss book-tour plans over cups of coffee, they decided
pairing their platforms would not only grow their success but encourage young
writers to pursue their life visions. Now, after two years spent strengthening
their credentials and friendship, they are ready to broaden their audience to
include adult writers.
“I’ve never had a friendship quite like
mine and Caroline’s,” Tessa said in an interview with Lisa Bergmanis of Belmont
University. “We both share a strange obsession for imaginary characters, coffee
and stories. Because of that, when we hang out, we don’t typically do the
normal best friend stuff—such as watching movies, painting our nails, shopping,
etc. (Actually, on a rare occasion when we did watch a movie, we took notes on
the plot the entire time. Ha!)”
With one teen writer’s workshop already
under their belts, complete with raving reviews from participants, the YA
author duo is ecstatic to be offering the information behind Write Now to the general public.
###
To reserve a spot at the event and pay
the twenty-dollar fee, email TessaEmilyHall@gmail.com. Registration
closes October 7, 2016.
Leah perceives a noir-pop world constructed of objectified girls and bad
boys, and stands amidst the heartbreak as an individualistic onlooker.
Hailing
from Jacksonville, Florida, Leah kicks down the walls dividing genres and delivers a fierce, independent sound that both seduces
and empowers. Inspired by influences such as Stevie Nicks, Bread, Lana Del
Rey and Norah Jones, Leah’s music evokes eerie, cinematic emotions that reveal
what it means to be a girl caught in the rift between attraction, love, and
freedom.
As a young
teenager, Leah rebelled against criticism, embraced her “different” voice, and
began playing in bars and restaurants. Since that time, she has performed for
intimate gatherings and crowds in excess of ten thousand, sharing her profound,
glamour-rich songs and fiery passion.
“A unique sound
from a refreshing perspective, Leah brings it.” -John Scott, iHeartMedia
I first met Leah in a college seminar course. The
moment she walked into the room, I knew she was special. And each day since
then, she’s proven me right. Not only is Leah an incredible singer and
songwriter, she’s also an inspiring person with a God-given vision. Her
soulful, mesmerizing music will add heat to any playlist.
In the following interview for Pursue Magazine and Girl
Meets Publishing World, Leah shares her journey from aspiring musician to
breakthrough artist and offers advice to those pursuing their dreams.
When
did you first become interested in music?
I truly cannot remember a time when I wasn’t
interested in music. I remember sitting in the back of my mom’s mini-van
listening to Norah Jones and being obsessed with the musicality in every word
she sang. I began singing and writing when I was about 12 and performing
publicly when I was 14, but as far as my interest in music, it has always been
there.
How
did you break into the music scene?
I didn’t know any better way to “break into the music
scene” than to write everyday and start playing in public, so that is exactly
what I did! When other kids would be hanging out I would lock myself in my
room, sit on my bed, and write for hours. And then I would take those
songs and play them anywhere they'd let a 14-15 year old play. I was playing
one Saturday night at a small restaurant and a local dj happened to
be there. He liked my sound, invited me into the station and I did a live show
with him. After that he wrote an article calling me an artist to watch. That
really opened doors for me, giving me a little credibility, allowing me to play
in more places; even though I was still too young to get into some of them on
my own! I am truly grateful for all of the positive things that came from
that one vote of confidence.
What
are your future goals as a musician?
I want to play music for the rest of my life, make a
living out of it, but still love it at the end. I think that is the key: still
loving it. Fame would be great and having people know every lyric to all of my
songs, but I just want to continue sharing my music with every ear that will
listen and if fame came out of, that would just be a plus.
Besides
music, what else do you like to do? Favorite things?
Oddly enough, I love running! People think I am crazy
when I say that, but as long as I have a pair of tennis shoes and the road, I
am a happy lady. It gives me a lot of time to think. A lot of my songs have
been written while running. A less abnormal thing that I love to do is bake! I
can make some pretty amazing chocolate chip cookies.
How
has God shaped your life and career?
Something I struggled with when I was young and around
a lot of people that I went to church with was how I could sing and write
secular songs and still be a Christian. My view is more that the way I treat
others and portray myself as woman should show my love for Christ. If you
listen closely to some of my lyrics, my personal values show through, like in
my song Easy (this song hasn’t been released yet) I say, “I’ve got dignity and
I’ve got strength and just because I want you doesn’t mean I’m gonna give it
away. I’m not saying your sleazy, I’m just not easy.”
Do
you have any advice you’d like to give those pursuing their dreams?
Don’t get easily discouraged! Whatever industry you
want to break into whether it be music, business, or basket weaving, you will
come across people who don’t agree with you or will try to change you. The most
important thing that I have learned is to listen with a critical ear to
decipher what criticism I can use to make myself better and what is just meant
to hurt me and let it roll off my back.
*** Registration closes 10/7. Email TessaEmilyHall@gmail.com to register and reserve your spot today! ***
YA authors, Tessa Emily Hall and Caroline George, will hold an all-day informative and interactive workshop for writers.
Be inspired as they share their experience of being published as a teen. Learn how you can apply techniques to your writing that will impress an agent or publisher. Discover secrets that will enable you to come across as a professional and increase your chances of publication.
With more than six years in the industry, Tessa and Caroline have learned from professionals through attending over thirteen writing conferences combined. They have spoken to young people of all ages, encouraging them to tap into their potential and pursue their unique calling.
Aspiring authors will come away from this workshop with new ideas for their stories, as well as step-by-step guidelines that will launch their writing journey.
Words of encouragement for those in the midst of
rejection.
Rejection is blood pumping through the publishing
industry’s heart—agents reject authors, publishers reject manuscripts, and stores
reject books. Although this is frustrating for writers desiring publication, rejection
helps to weed out the “dandelions” from the “roses.” In other words, NO ensures that the best books reach shelves.
Does this mean rejection brands a book as a “dandelion”?
Of course not!
Remember, the publishing industry is based solely on
preferences, opinions, and past successes. One agent’s “dandelion” is another’s
“rose.”
And let’s be honest; everyone loves to pick a “dandelion”
once in a while.
I am currently in the querying process for my latest
book. I’ve sent out close to sixty queries and even though I know the facts, it
isn’t easy to check my email and see a rejection letter.
Many of you are in a similar situation. You’re aching for
someone to recognize your potential and fall in love with your work. You dream
of the day when you’ll check your email and find a YES.
But until that day comes, remember these four things:
1.It’s
not personal.
Agents/Publishers receive hundreds of
queries/proposals per week. They have preferences and are looking for ways to
cut their slush skyscraper into a manageable pile.
2.Each
NO brings you closer to YES.
Crossing an agent or publisher off
your list only means you’re approaching a breakthrough.
You can’t find an open “door” until
you start knocking.
3.Remember
your dream, your passion, and why your book deserves to be read.
It’s easy to become discouraged during
the querying process and think of your work as a soulless product to be sold.
Fight the urge. Remind yourself why you’re querying, why you decided to write
your book, and why it deserves to be read.
4.When
the “doors” close, kick one down.
After you’ve extinguished all
options, shift your perspective and find new, unconsidered options. Be your own
YES. Make your dreams happen.
In publishing, this option is known
as self-publishing.
Quoting actor Tom Hanks,
“If
it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. It’s the hard that makes it great.”
I’m
currently sitting at a round table in my campus Starbucks, sipping a hazelnut
latte, and watching for my coffeehouse crush to stroll through the main door. I
love my college. I love Nashville and the opportunities it offers. I love meeting
new people, learning about the publishing industry, going to concerts, and dressing
like a hipster without shame or reservation.
Although
my social life has gained a needed boost from my move, my writing schedule has experienced
a major blow. Not a bullet ricochet; a nuclear bombing. The schedule is so
meager it consists only of short fiction-writing assignments for my publishing
class, blog posts, and the occasional tweet.
So what am
I doing now?
School?
Exercising at the gym? Drinking lots of coffee?
Yes. Yes.
Yes. And more.
I’ve
dedicated this school year to querying agents and building my author platform. As
of now, I’ve queried fifty agents and am awaiting responses. YES—that’s the
word I need to hear.
My odds
seem decent at the moment.
For me, the
most difficult aspect of the process has been the wait. I trudge through my day
and courses, not working on another book, not organizing author events, just
doing my student duties and praying that God will open doors at the right time.
I have accomplished what I can accomplish at this point in time. Now I must
wait. And waiting is hard. Especially for an overly determined person like me.
Since many
of you are facing a schedule change, I’d like to offer some advice.
1.Don’t
lose sight of your dream.
It’s
easy to shift focus when you’re in a new place, surrounded by new people, but
you can’t forget your dream. Never forget.
2.Remind
yourself of that paused part of you.
The
dream you’ve placed on hold is a slice of your identity. Forgetting it is like forgetting
a part of yourself. Talk about your dream with others. Place a visual reminder
somewhere in your room to keep that part of you present.
3.Take
a step forward every day, even if it’s small and seems inconsequential.
Make
choices daily that will draw you closer to your goal. Practice your talents.
Contact people who might be willing to help you reach your dream. The small
steps you make will be what carry you to success.
If
you are encountering a situation similar to mine, tell me about it!
If
you have any questions about the publishing industry, college life, or my
coffeehouse crush, email me! I’ll post interesting questions and my answers on
this blog.
Also, send me a review
of THE PRIME WAY PROGRAM and I’ll send you something in return!
In
the following videos, I discuss my experience pitching to literary agents,
share some tips, and also introduce my college roommate. Pardon the laughter, text
alert, and web cam!
Due
to the fact that I’m now a busy college student, my upcoming blog posts will
revolve around time management, writing versus school, and author patience.
Although I heard countless stories prior to
our introduction, I first met Tara face-to-face at a coffeehouse in SOHO, New
York City. She is an incredible person who exemplifies what it means to fearlessly
pursue a vision, trust God, and succeed. Her responses to the questions below will not
only encourage aspiring models but also show the trials one faces when
following his/her dream and the triumphant outcome.
When did you first discover your love for
modeling?
-- I always dreamed of becoming a model for as long as I can
remember. When I would complain about being taller than all the boys growing up
in elementary school, or feel awkward because I was taller than my older sister
starting at a young age, my mom always told me that I should be proud of my
height because one day I could become a model. I think she was saying that to
make me feel better, but I actually believed her.
Tell us about the moment you decided to pursue
modeling? Who helped you achieve your dream?
-- I decided to pursue modeling in high school. I began in
Atlanta, Georgia, but it wasn't until I decided to move to New York City that I
really started to achieve my dream. Before it was just a hobby, or something I
would do for fun when I had the time. When I finally made the decision to take
my first semester off of college and move to NYC, I was finally on my way of
turning my dream reality.
My parents were a huge part in me finally pursuing modeling, but
especially my mom. Without her encouragement and support, there's no way I
would have made the move and be where I am today.
How long did it take for you to find a
“breakthrough”? What led to that opportunity?
-- It is extremely hard living in NYC, especially when you're 18
years old. I don't think my "breakthrough" came until I finally
decided to be comfortable in my own skin and be who I truly was. This was
something that took a lot of time, lessons learned, and trials that I needed to
go through. I was doing anything and everything I could to keep busy, find
jobs, continue shooting, and make enough money to live off of. My biggest
breakthrough was after I graduated college and started doing fit modeling full
time. That is when I finally had steady work and no longer had to live from
paycheck to paycheck. ((Fit modeling is working directly with the designers of
a company to create the perfect fit of a garment. It is within the production
process, after design and before the products are in the stores. Most people
don’t know this job exists, but there is a lot of hard work that goes into
making each and every garment fit the way the designer intended for it to fit.
I spend my days trying on tons and tons of clothes, and working with the design
and production department of multiple companies in order to fit clothing to my
body. I work as a size 2 for some clients, and a 4 for others.))
What are some of the obstacles you’ve had to
overcome while pursing your goals and how did you conquer them?
-- When I first moved to NYC, I was constantly told that my skin
was very bad and broken out, that I needed to lose weight, and that I was too
short to model.
I really did have horrible skin when I first started
modeling. It actually was bad for several years, and I tried every skin care
line you could think of to try and fix it. Every doctor would say that my acne
was hormonal, but nothing seemed to help. Finally I realized that I was
allergic to gluten, and now my skin looks and feels like a brand new face! I am
very careful about not eating gluten anymore, and I do oil cleansing to clean
my face. Having clear skin is very important for modeling, and I am so thankful
that I don't have to worry about that anymore. Of course I have occasional
breakouts, but they are nothing like what I use to deal with.
As a fit model, I have to maintain my weight and measurements. I
no longer am being pushed to lose weight, and also I can't gain weight, but I
literally have to stay the same size. This has caused me to be much healthier
because I am maintaining my natural weigh and measurements. I am not trying to
be a certain size that I am not meant to be. This may sound crazy or seem very
hard, but my body naturally stays the same for the most part, so this is not
overly challenging for me. I am not someone who fluctuates often,
which is why fit modeling has been so good for me.
As far as my height goes, obviously there is no magic formula to
get taller! However again, as a fit model, they like my height. I am the
"average" height for the clients that I work with (at 5’7) and I am
exactly what my clients need. I don't have to stress about being two inches too
short anymore because I don't do as many fashion jobs as I use to. And when I
do, I don't care that I am shorter than the other girls because I am
comfortable with who I am.
Do you have any advice you’d like to give
teenagers pursuing a similar dream?
-- Absolutely! I would say that whatever is in your heart
to do, go for it and don't let anyone tell you that you can't. Let that be what
motivates you and keeps you moving forward! Most importantly, know your
boundaries and who you are. Be you. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. In
the modeling industry, there is SO much competition. But at the same time,
there are SO many different companies and clients that are looking for
different things. Just be yourself, and you will find a client that is looking
for exactly you! Until then, keep moving forward and do not get discouraged
when you hear a million 'no's' because it will be worth if for the time you
finally get a 'yes!'
Tell us about your accomplishments.
--
It is now almost exactly 7 years after I moved to NYC after high school. I am
25 years old, recently married, and have been modeling full time since I graduated
college in 2012. As a fit model, I have worked with clients such as Armani
Exchange, Opening Ceremony, Steven Alan, American Eagle, Almost Famous, Onia,
Whit NY, Swiss Army, Mara Hoffman, Joe Fresh, Vince Camuto, Amoi, and more. I
have worked as a showroom model for companies such as Vanilla Star, Vogue, Splendid,
Nike, Jessica Simpson, Helly Hansen, and New York & Company. I've done
print work for Cosmopolitan Magazine, Seventeen Magazine, The New York Post, BB
Dakota, Lauren Conrad for Kohls, Kings of Cole, and others. I have done
background work for television shows and movies, such as Gossip Girl, White
Collar, It's Complicated, Law And Order, CSI:NY, The Beautiful Life, and more.
I have done runway shows for Sachika, Belabunda Swim, Oakley, Victor Harper
Bridal, SARAR, and more. I am so thankful that I didn’t give up when I
wanted to. Even though it has not been easy, it has been the adventure of a
lifetime and I am extremely happy to be working in a field that I am so
passionate about!
What are your goals for the next ten years?
-- Wow 10 years... Who knows where I'll be! I think it's important
to have goals, absolutely, but I've always been a very spontaneous person. I
could not have ever dreamed of where I am right now, so I honestly don't think
I could dream up the next 10 years even if I tried! I will definitely have kids
by then, which means a lot will change as far as modeling goes. However, I
recently started a fashion + lifestyle blog (www.taramichellebrose.com) that I
intend to grow and see flourish in the next few years. There is definitely more
longevity in modeling than people think, so I do believe I could continue with
it if I wanted to. It wouldn't be as much fashion as it would be fit,
commercial, or lifestyle jobs, but all of which I love to do! I don't know what
all I will accomplish in the next 10 years, but I know that it will be
exciting! Click here to visit Tara's blog.
Society continues to tell young people that being a
teenager requires them to “make mistakes,” “live in the moment,” and that important
actions must wait until adulthood. Those who rebel against this ideology are persecuted.
Why?
Why can’t great things be celebrated even if
the great-deed-doer is not a legal adult?
My goal was to be a published author by age sixteen. NO wasn’t a relevant word in my
vocabulary. I was going to publish. My book was going to be read. By age
sixteen.
It was going to happen.
At first, I wanted to traditionally publish. I
submitted to several agents who all liked my book but wouldn’t represent me
because of my age.
My age!
Because of self-publishing, I achieved my goal and am
now pursuing traditional publication for my latest book. I’m passionate about
inspiring teens to rise above expectations and do GREAT THINGS. Whenever I meet
a young person who is pursuing their life vision, I get excited!
Age shouldn’t be a success-determining factor.
A crazy dream shouldn’t be discouraged.
Talent, drive, and hard work should be
celebrated.
THREE CHEERS FOR TEENS introduces three teen success-stories
from three different industries. It’s meant to offer encouragement to teenagers
pursuing their dreams and motivate those who are trapped in “teen ideology.”
I hope the following interviews will inspire you as
much as they inspired me.
MariBeth
Nolte (LA Models)
I first
met MariBeth when she modeled for the trial cover of my latest book. She has
accomplished a lot and isn’t afraid to take a stand against people’s opinions
and stereotyping of the modeling industry. Her work ethic, professionalism, and
drive will take her far!
When did you first
discover your love for modeling?
When
I was just about 5 or 6 I loved posing around the house with my dad. He would
tell me to show an emotion and take pictures of me all the time. If social
media had of been as big as it is now he would have been one of those obnoxious
parents posting pictures of their kid nonstop. I also did a few pageants when I
was younger hoping they would lead to the modeling side of things, but they
never compared to the instant love I fell into with modeling once we finally figured
everything out.
Tell us about the
moment you decided to pursue modeling? Who helped you achieve your dream?
The
summer before my junior year of high school I decided I wanted to focus on
modeling. Charleston is a big town but not a big town for the modeling
industry. I did photo shoots for boutiques in Charleston. I met a photographer
for Charleston Hospitality Group, and he helped me get a job doing weekly
fashion shows at one of their restaurants. I began to network which helped me
to get more jobs. I made the decision not to play high school volleyball that
fall and chose to go to a casting call for Charleston Fashion Week. Out of the
1200 models who came out, I was chosen to be put in the model book with around
200 other models. I then went on to be chosen for Rock the Runway competition
which was made up of 10 girls and 5 guys. While I didn’t win Rock the Runway it
put me in the right place to meet the right people to help me make a move to a
larger market.
How long did it take
for you to find a “breakthrough”? What led to that opportunity?
When
I finished my junior year I went to New York to meet with Karen Lee Grybowski,
the lead judge from Charleston Fashion Week. We had met, and she liked my
personality and thought I had potential. Karen had me darken my hair and do a
couple of photo shoots for test shooting. I then looked at agencies in New York
and Los Angeles, showing them my new test shots, and signed with LA Models!
What are some of the
obstacles you’ve had to overcome while pursuing your goals and how did you conquer them?
School
was an obstacle I had to face. Originally I planned to attend college in NYC
and model while I was in school. After learning more about the market I decided
to model full time. At the end of my junior year I needed Government and
Economics to graduate. So I took those online over the summer and will be
finishing school a year early. I have a three year contract so hopefully by the
time I’m 19 (almost 20) I’ll know for sure this path is right for me.
Do you have any
advice you’d like to give teenagers pursuing a similar dream?
My
main advice is to honestly be yourself. Growing up in a small town it was the
thing to play sports. No one did anything but that. While I wasn’t picked on
for modeling, other than the occasional mean girl comments everyone gets, it
was obvious I was the odd one out. Luckily, I had the self-confidence to know
this is what I wanted to do and went out and did it. Another awesome tip would
be to become educated on the industry. If I didn’t have my mom to help me with
all of it, I’d probably still be in high school dreaming of doing what I’m
doing right now. It’s definitely a world where you have to make the
connections.
Tell us about your
accomplishments.
My
biggest accomplishment so far is getting signed with L.A. Models, one of the
largest agencies on the west coast. Smaller accomplishments like Charleston
Fashion Week and getting a job that let me walk on a runway every Thursday
helped me to be prepared.
What are your goals
for the next ten years?
I
honestly have about a million goals in the modeling business. Anybody who knows
me should know my ultimate dream would be to walk as a Victoria Secret Angel. I
also plan to one day walk in Miami Swim Week and Milan, Paris, London, and New
York Fashion Week. I want to travel the world working as a model and have the
reputation in the industry of being a hardworking and consistent model that
people want to work with. Plus, being one of the models who become best friends
with Taylor Swift would be super cool, too.
Instagram @itsmaribethbaybee
Tessa
Emily Hall (YA author of Purple Moon)
Tessa dedicates
her time to assisting young writers, inspiring teenagers, and drinking coffee.
A lot of coffee. I met her last year when we reviewed each other’s first book
and began scheduling an author tour. She has become my best friend, mentor, part-time
editor, and “fellow soldier in the trenches of publishing.”
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I first
fell in love with storytelling when I was 3-years-old. Any time I was bored, I
would ask my mom, an art teacher, for a new project to create. This one
particular time she suggested that I try writing my own book.
So, I
dictated a story, The Colorful Dolphin,
to her and illustrated the pictures. This was the first of many books I wrote throughout
my childhood.
The process
of capturing my imagination with only a pencil and paper was (and still is!)
exhilarating to me. I never cared whether or not others read my stories; I
simply found joy in becoming another person and “day-dreaming” through my
pencil.
Tell us about the moment you decided to pursue publication? Who
helped you achieve your dream?
When I was
in elementary school, I longed to have a book published.
I clearly
remember running my hand along the cover of children’s books and smelling their
pages, imagining what it would be like to have my stories printed as well. I
couldn’t wait for my stories to become “official” and in the format of an actual book!
When I was
in middle school, I made it my goal to become published by the time I graduated
high school. It was also then when God laid it on my heart to write
inspirational novels for teens.
At the
time, I’d never even heard of the Christian fiction genre—but one day, I typed
into Google “Christian fiction for teens” and was thrilled to discover that it was actually a genre!
The summer
between my 8th grade and 9th grade year, I made a last
minute decision to enroll in an online school so I could fit creative writing
into my daily schedule.
That was
the best decision I could’ve made.
My parents
have always been supportive of my dream to become an author. If it wasn’t for
them, I wouldn’t have attended my first writing conference at 16, which is
where I met my future publisher.
And even
though “being an author” sounds like a far-fetched dream for a teen to pursue,
my mom always said, “Someone has to do it; why can’t it be you?”
How long did it take for you to find a “breakthrough”? What led
to that opportunity?
It was
completely a God-thing! I am still in awe when I think back to how He arranged everything.
When I was
16, I attended my first writing conference and brought the first three chapters
of my novel, Purple Moon. I wasn’t
planning on pitching to anyone. In fact, I didn’t think there was an agent or
publisher at the conference who was looking for YA fiction.
The main
reason I went was so I could learn more about the craft and network with other
writers.
God,
however, had other plans.
When I was
speaking with an editor over a Christian devotion site about the possibility of
writing for them, a man had overheard that I wrote fiction and asked to see my
first chapter. After reading it, he seemed very impressed and asked several
questions about the plot.
You can
imagine my excitement when he told me that he was a publisher for Lighthouse
Publishing of the Carolinas!
At the
time, they had only published non-fiction books but were just beginning to
branch out into the fiction market. He then asked if I would send the rest of
the manuscript once I returned home, of which I gladly agreed.
A few
months later, Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas offered a contract for Purple Moon. I didn’t sign it until six
months later, after much prayer and consideration.
What are some of the obstacles you’ve had to overcome while
pursing your goals and how did you conquer them?
The main
obstacle I’ve had to overcome was my fear of public speaking.
As crazy as
it sounds, I’ve had a passion to be a speaker since I was, again, 13. I knew I
wanted to visit schools to promote my book once it was published, but the idea
of speaking to groups was terrifying!
So a year
after PURPLE MOON was published, I took that leap. And guess what? None of
those fears came true.
Do you have any advice you’d like to give teenagers pursuing a
similar dream?
Make the
most of your youth. This is the advice I give any teen when they come to me for
advice on pursuing their dreams, and it’s stemmed from the scripture
Ecclesiastes 11:9.
Years down
the road, you may look back and wish you would’ve made the most of the time that
you have today.
For many
careers, including writing, it can take years for you to finally reach your
goal. If you begin striving for your dreams now,
then you will be spending your time wisely by getting a “head start”.
God has
given each of us a gift that we are to use for His glory and to minister to
others. He didn’t tell us to wait until after we graduate high school or
college to begin tapping into these gifts.
Also, don’t
compare yourselves to other teens. Embrace your uniqueness and the dream that
has been placed on your heart.
If you
follow the path that is specifically created for you and give your talents to
Christ by using them for His glory, then He will open the doors—all in
accordance with His will and His timing.
Tell us about your accomplishments.
Not the easiest
task for an introvert … lol!
Other than fiction
writing, I am also passionate about writing non-fiction articles and devotions
for teens.
I am a former
teen columnist for WholeMagazine.org,
a former editor over the faith department for Temperance Youth Magazine, former writer for MoreToBe.com, and am on the Teen Advisory Board for Devozine.
My articles
and devotions have been published in numerous publications and websites,
including: Guide Magazine, Devozine,
Ibegat, Temperance Youth Magazine, MoretoBe.com, Imagine Magazine,
RealTeenFaith.com, and Rad
Revolution.
I currently
write a column for teen writers, titled Dear
Young scribes, at AlmostAnAuthor.com.
I am also a
screenwriter for Favoron Productions,
have edited a screenplay for God of Moses
Entertainment, and am currently gearing towards editing another screenplay
for their upcoming project as well.
In 2013, my
blog, ChristisWrite.blogspot.com,
received 2nd place in the blog category at Blue Ridge Mountain
Christian Writers Conference.
In 2014, Purple Moon was a finalist in the YA
Fiction and First Novel categories.
Okay, my
bragging session will now come to an end. =)
What are your goals for the next ten years?
I hope to
continue having opportunities to reach teens through the words I write and the
words I speak.
My ultimate
desire is to write novels for teens that are inspirational, yet authentic when
it comes to reflecting their every-day-lives. It is my goal, with every book,
for teens to come away from it with a sense of hope for their own lives.
I would
also love to continue writing for magazines and screenplays as well—any avenue
that will allow me to minister through the process of creation.
However,
even though I am a firm believer in dreaming big, I have learned to hold these
plans loosely. The future I have in store for my life isn’t always the one God
has in store—but I’m excited to see where the journey takes me!
Cameron
and I met during Belmont University’s freshman orientation. He is extremely
talented and has “trippy” style. His story will inspire young musicians to
pursue their life vision.
When did you first discover your love for rock-and-roll?
I first
discovered my love for rock and roll at sort of a young age. I remember having
Elvis, Ritchie Valens and Hendrix when I was around 7 and it blew my mind! I
loved their voices and the way they made me feel. At the time I had a little
heap acoustic guitar but couldn’t play, so I sat around and learned from
records. Then when I was a bit older, I heard the music of Led Zeppelin, Motley
Crue, etc. I just loved the sounds of the guitars and the whole band going full
out! It made me want to get an electric guitar and emulate what I heard.
Tell us about the moment you decided to pursue music? Who helped
you achieve your dream?
The moment
I chose to pursue music is the moment I realized I couldn’t see my life without
playing guitar and making music. At the time that I was discovering rock and
roll, I was also into baseball and sports. When I got into 8th grade
I dropped sports and decided to make music my priority. At first I played solo
a couple times with two guys who worked at the boys and girls club on the
reservation that I grew up on. They put on some talent showcases and displayed
the talent of the youth. I wasn’t a part of the boys and girls club, I only
played at the events. After seeing groups like Aerosmith, Motley Crue, and The
Black Crowes, I decided that I wanted to put together my own band, which became
The Osceola Brothers. I got my two younger brothers and taught them the little
what I knew on bass and drums and from there on we took off. The people that
really helped us were my parents, they’ve been really supportive throughout the
years and we are really thankful for that.
How long did it take for you to find a “breakthrough”? What led
to that opportunity?
It took a
little while to really get going with our music, but you have to do that to
really gone your craft. We played many events where there would hardly be a
crowd. After a while doing that, we got booked to play the Seminole Tribal Fair
which was held in the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. Still we were
playing to not many people, but it was more than we played for. But from then
on we booked better and bigger gigs.
What are some of the obstacles you’ve had to overcome while
pursuing your goals and how did you conquer them?
Some
obstacles that I’ve had to overcome are just knowing that the road to success
isn’t going to be easy. Also just not being taken seriously and underestimated
at times by some people at events we played. I feel like they would think that
we weren’t that good considering we were in our early teens at the time. The
way we overcame that is just to keep on playing, not caring and just giving our
all every time we play.
Do you have any advice you’d like to give teenagers pursuing a
similar dream?
Some advice
I would give teenagers pursuing their dreams are to never give up, the road to
success isn’t going to be easy but don’t let that stop you. Also don’t let
people try to tell you what you can and can’t do, always give 110% every time
you play and just play like it’s your last time playing! Lastly stay true to
yourself.
Tell us about your accomplishments.
Some
accomplishments include some shows we have played. Over the course of the four
years we have been a band we have gotten to open for some major acts such as
Indigenous, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Sarah Evans, Candlebox,
Creedence, Clearwater, Jonny Land and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Also I was blessed enough
to be a part of the 2014 Experience Hendrix Tour. I got to share the stage with
most of my heroes such as Eric Johnson, Chris Layton, Billy Cox, Jonny Land,
Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and more!
On a very
recent note, just last month we were booked to play a festival before Lenny
Kravitz and more in Barcelona, Spain, it was an amazing, trippy experience
haha! We were also included in a documentary that aired on TV in June.
What are your goals for the next ten years?
My goals for the next decade are just to keep making music that I believe
in whether or not I'm in the music business.
