We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Melanie Sudduth a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Melanie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I have been a writer for as long as I have known how to write. I can recall being eight years old, writing fictional stories in the den of my grandmother’s house. As I grew up, I began dabbling in poetry and taking creative writing courses in college.
Fast forward to adulthood, where I became a wife, an English teacher, and a mother of two, with one child having special needs, routines and a mundane lifestyle swept me away. I felt like I was on a hamster wheel, going through the motions with no purpose or meaning. I had forgotten who I was. My academic brain took over my artistic ways, and I had lost my passion.
One day, a new school administrator, who would become one of the most supportive mentors in my life, asked me what I was passionate about. I told her I wanted to write a book, but I didn’t have the time. She asked me to use the summer break and write a book, and I gave her my word. Well, June passed by and I had only accomplished a Law & Order SVU marathon while being glued to the couch. I remembered my promise and began working on my first poetry collection in July. By August 2017, I self-published my first book.
Afterward, people sought assistance with self-publishing, but I was not prepared to offer help. However, I did know that I wanted to help others share their art and stories. I published another book in January 2020, and when the pandemic happened, I began receiving clients who wanted to self-publish. At that time, I had a few side businesses, with business consulting being one. So, I accepted clients as a consultant. I believe God was saying, “I gave you the vision years ago, so hurry up!” By the fall of 2021, I had finally established my publishing services, and now, my business is alive and doing very well.
I had to go back to my childhood to remember what brought me pure joy. Then, I took that gift and created ways to help others.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
MPowering Legacy Publishing is the name of my self-publishing assist company. I decided to bring this idea to life when I began to receive inquiries from others asking to have their books published. I had just self-published my own and knew I could truly help them. In addition to knowing the self-publishing process, I majored in and mastered English Literature. I also taught grammar as a 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts teacher for 7 years. Therefore, my editing skills and publishing knowledge coupled together made the idea possible. My passion was realized when I learn of others’ journeys and reasons for publishing. I believe in community and sharing knowledge to help the community.
This business is important because I want to help others achieve their purpose-driven goals in a way that shows creativity, integrity, and freedom.
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?
Having a natural gift for writing and storytelling has been impactful for me as an author. However, knowing grammar and having a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in English have been essential for editing and revising. Learning the self-publishing process was the last major piece of the puzzle needed to build my business.
Even if you have a natural gift or a college education, keep learning. Industries grow and change, so you have to be prepared to move with it.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
I really had to learn how to overcome feeling overwhelmed. Being a wife, mom, and full-time educator with a few businesses has been quite the challenge. Moreover, because I love productivity, I would overload myself. Once I began experiencing my chest tightening due to stress, I knew I had to do something different.
When I feel overwhelmed, I reflect and reassess. I meditate and journal to get my frustrations and anxiety out. Then, I review my calendar and pace my tasks out, prioritizing the big tasks first. I also believe in outsourcing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mpoweringlegacy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpoweringlegacy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mpoweringlegacy
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-p-sudduth-27631478/
Image Credits
sAs-y Shutters LLC
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