We were lucky to catch up with Crown Shepherd recently and have shared our conversation below.
Crown , so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?
The frustration of staring at a blank page, the anxiety of not knowing how to begin, and the self-doubt accompanying every stalled sentence had become all too familiar. It was a struggle that threatened to undermine my passion for writing.
But then, a transformative moment occurred through an interview with the legendary Toni Morrison. In this interview, Morrison shared insights into her own writing process, unveiling the daily rituals and unwavering commitment that had propelled her to literary greatness.
Toni Morrison had spoken of discipline and habit, explaining how she woke up at 5 a.m. every morning to write. It became clear that writing was not merely a hobby but a vocation, a career, a calling. It was something I wanted to be known for, and as such, it demanded my unwavering dedication.
The interview struck a chord deep within my soul. It was an epiphany, a revelation that dispelled the myth of writer’s block. I realized that the key to unlocking her creativity and defeating the blank page was not waiting for inspiration to strike but rather committing to the discipline of writing every day. No excuses, no procrastination—just writing.
With newfound resolve, I embraced Toni Morrison’s wisdom. I established a writing routine, setting aside dedicated daily time to nurture my craft. It was not always easy; there were days when the words flowed effortlessly and others when they seemed to resist my efforts.
Over time, I discovered that the more I wrote, the more my creativity flourished. The grip of writer’s block loosened its hold, and my confidence as a writer grew.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Since I was 8 years old, I dreamed of becoming a writer. However, coming from a family with limited means, the path to college was not an option. In 10th grade, I began working to help my single mother support our family, and by the time I reached the age for college, my only option seemed to be the pursuit of full-time employment. At 22, my dream of becoming a writer seemed distant after two unsuccessful attempts at returning to college. It felt like my only prospects were dead-end jobs.
But in April 2017, everything changed. With no prior experience, I took the leap and founded Black Lit, a grassroots, public-access book club designed to unite people from diverse backgrounds through the joy of reading diverse books. As I successfully led this book club, I gained the confidence to start a writing group specifically for BIPOC individuals, reigniting my passion for writing.
By 2018, I had authored several books and began the journey of seeking publishers. Despite facing numerous rejections and hearing that my children’s book wouldn’t sell due to its representation of multiple skin shades, I decided to take matters into my own hands and delve into the world of self-publishing. During this time, I attended the 2nd Annual MN Black Authors Expo with only character designs in hand. Here, I met a local publisher who introduced me to Beaver’s Pond Press, a local publishing house.
Through a successful Kickstarter campaign, I published my first book, “Black Boy, Black Boy,” on May 12th, 2020, right in the midst of the pandemic. Amidst the unrest in the city, I took it upon myself to distribute signed copies of my book, aiming to remind young individuals fighting for their rights that they still had a bright future ahead. This small act of kindness blossomed into “Fighting Injustice Through Literature,” a book giveaway program to empower diverse children through literature. To date, this program has raised over $1,500 in funds and partnered with local authors and businesses to distribute more than 700 diverse books.
I didn’t stop there. During the tumultuous times, I attended outdoor pop-up events between protests, where I sold over 1,200 copies of my book in just three months. This success encouraged me to expand my offerings to include other independent, diverse books in my inventory.
As my inventory consistently sold out, I realized that there was a real demand for diverse literature. This insight led me to create “Liberate Your Bookshelf,” a mobile bookstore with a mission to change the narrative one book at a time.
My journey continued to evolve when I was awarded a fellowship with Wise Ink Publishing, a turning point that transformed my passion into my full-time job as a project manager and marketing specialist. Along the way, I have been honored with three local artist grants, each of which I’ve used to create a new book, including “Black Girl, Black Girl, Crown 1 & 2.”
Through these experiences, I have pursued my dream of becoming a writer and found ways to make a meaningful impact by promoting diverse literature and empowering young minds. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My best advice is to do what you love, even if you’re scared, even if you don’t know where to start. Everything listed below is what I did to realize my childhood dream.
Follow Your Passion. Identify what truly excites you and gives you a sense of purpose. Pursue it wholeheartedly, whether it’s a career, a hobby, or a personal goal. Your passion will be your driving force.
Embrace Fear as a Companion. Understand that fear often accompanies any worthwhile endeavor. Instead of letting it hold you back, acknowledge it and use it as fuel to drive you forward. Remember that some of the greatest achievements are born from overcoming fear.
Start Small, Start Now. You don’t need to have all the answers or a detailed plan from the beginning. Begin with small, manageable steps. Taking action is the first step toward your goals, even if it’s just a small one.
Ask Questions and Seek Guidance. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek guidance from those with more experience or expertise. People are often willing to help and share their knowledge. Seek out mentors, join communities, or find resources that can guide you on your journey.
Learn Continuously. Keep an open mind and be ready to learn at every step. The journey to doing what you love is filled with opportunities for growth and discovery. Stay curious, read, attend workshops, and invest in personal and professional development.
Surround Yourself with Experts. As you progress, surround yourself with more knowledgeable or skilled individuals than you. These are the rooms you should enter. Being around experts can accelerate your learning and inspire you to raise your own standards.
Stay Committed. Understand that success often requires patience and persistence. There will be setbacks and challenges along the way. Stay committed to your goals, and use your passion as a source of resilience.
Adapt and Evolve: Be adaptable and open to change. Your path may not unfold exactly as planned, and that’s okay. Embrace new opportunities and adjust your course as needed.
Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements along the way, no matter how small they may seem. These moments of recognition can provide motivation and remind you of your progress.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
The advice I am about to give took years of discipline and focus. And it doesn’t always work. When the weight of numerous tasks and challenges threatened to drown me in a sea of stress and anxiety, I found solace and clarity in a simple yet powerful strategy: taking one task at a time. Or throwing the whole computer away. LOL
Stepping Away to Gain Perspective. This simple act allows me to detach from the immediate problem or issue. I gain a clearer perspective on the bigger picture by creating some distance. This mental reset empowers me to see the situation from a new angle, often revealing solutions.
Seeking Help and Collaboration. I learned long ago that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a mark of wisdom. I don’t hesitate to ask for assistance when confusion or uncertainty creeps in. Whether it’s a colleague, mentor, or friend, I value the insights and perspectives of others. Sometimes, a second pair of eyes can uncover nuances and possibilities that I might have missed.
Prioritizing Self-Care. It took a long time but I now understand the importance of self-care. I understand that my well-being is the foundation upon which I can tackle life’s challenges. Self-care isn’t just an indulgence; it’s a necessity. Whether it’s taking moments to relax, engaging in activities that rejuvenate my spirit, or simply finding time for reflection, I prioritize self-care to ensure I’m in the best mental and emotional state to confront challenges head-on.
Embracing Life as a Writer. As a writer, I have discovered that inspiration often strikes when I’m actively engaged in life. Consequently, I embrace every facet of life, drawing inspiration from the world around me. This approach fuels my creativity and provides a balanced perspective on the challenges I face.
Contact Info:
- Website: Crownthewriter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crownthewriter/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crown-shepherd/
Image Credits
Tiffany Townsend
