Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Negrita Smart. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Negrita, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My work ethic stems from observing my parents over the years. I am the first of my family to graduate from college. This was made possible not only by my efforts but also because of their hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering support. I was motivated to graduate and make them proud. My accomplishments are shared with my family.
I was taught if there is anything worth having in life, then it is worth working for it – without excuse. I live my life with this concept. When I set a goal, I plot a strategy to accomplish the goal.
At the end of 2022, I set a goal to write a Children’s book. This year, I accomplished the goal and became an Amazon Best Selling Author.
Were there challenges in accomplishing this goal? Absolutely. However, I was able to overcome the challenges by remaining focused on the end goal and maintaining a positive attitude. The authorship journey has given me a stronger work ethic and a determination to continue to write Children’s books.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a small-town girl from Alabama (population almost 3,000). I am a wife, sister, believer, and teacher at heart. I love spending time with my family. I have taken on the unofficial role of Event Planner for the family. The bigger the occasion, the bigger the event. I believe in planning events that will make everyone happy and always be remembered.
My strong faith in God is the source of my resilience, peace, and joy. I am an active supporter of my local church ministry.
I was inspired to write Children’s books that teach valuable lessons. The lessons are based on biblical principles. My first book, Grace And The Golden Rule, is focused on teaching children how to treat other people. The book encourages kindness, sharing, love, and unselfishness.
The main character, Grace, is inspired by the women in my family. She has the color of my mother’s eyes; the shape of my niece’s eyes; my sisters’ nose and smile; and my grandmothers’ freckles and cheekbone structure. Not only does the book allow me to minister to young children but it also allows me to honor these special women.
I am working on the second book in the series.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Boldness – do not be afraid to set a goal and begin working toward the goal. 2. Self-awareness – admit it, we do not know everything so it is important to know when to ask for help.
3. Tenacity – keep striving, never give up!
I recommend developing a relationship with a mentor and allowing that person to impart advice. A mentor can identify with what you are trying to accomplish and provide wisdom, sharing experiences of success and failure.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
My hope is that Grace will inspire many people. I would especially like to partner or collaborate with anyone who can help take Grace from the book pages to animation.
The adventures of Grace are just beginning. She has so many stories to share.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: negritasmart
- Other: Email address: mrs.negritasmart@gmail.com
Image Credits
Photography: Gifted Hands Photography
