We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nia Teilor. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nia below.
Hi Nia , so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?
Last year it felt like I didn’t write a single thing. Writer’s block is REAL! Thankfully blockages can be removed, and learning how to remove those blockages are a part of the creative process. I’ve learned that I need a clear, quiet mind- body-soul to write. When I write, I am in FLOW and cannot be in FLOW if I’m worried about what people think of me, my family, or even the state of the world!
Spirituality and creativity go hand and hand for me. Spiritual practices that allow me to quiet my mind and be present help me overcome blocks. Being intentional about setting time aside for journaling – to get the stuck energy out, meditating/praying, and grounding in nature helps me to clear and clean up my mind so I’m ripe to write!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Hi! I’m Nia Teilor an upcoming indie author and passionate advocate for literary arts.
Beyond my own writing endeavors, I have dedicated myself to promoting literacy and empowering others to embrace the power of storytelling. As an advocate, I host book drives and writing retreats to ensure that literacy rates remain high, school library shelves remain vibrant, and my community has a similar love for reading and storytelling as I do!
I firmly believe that everyone has a story to tell. This year, I founded C.A.N. Press, a literary publication – short for “Change A Narrative” – focused on amplifying the voices of marginalized individuals. Through C.A.N. Press’ unique publishing program, we’re working to create a platform for unique voices to write and publish their stories, providing a space where their experiences can be shared, celebrated, and understood.
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?
The qualities or skills that have impacted me most on my journey are empathy, patience, and open-mindedness. Empathy is a skill that sometimes isn’t seen as a strength but naivety or even a weakness. My innate ability to feel the emotions of others has helped me tremendously in my life, but especially in my work. As an author my job is to entertain and inform. It is my responsibility to do that by arming myself with knowledge, but also picking up on what isn’t said, but what’s felt. There is this phrase writers use to improve their writing: show not tell. My ability to read between the lines and pick up the emotions in a group and truly understand helps the words flow as I write each chapter.
Patience is something I learned from my home. Being the oldest child of young siblings I learned very early that the more patient I am, the smoother the journey is. Patience and peace aren’t synonyms in my world, but I like to think they inform one another in my life. In publishing, it can take years to get published. It can take years to write a novel. For traditionally published authors it can take years to find an agent. For self-published authors it can take years before you make your first sale. All of this can be frustrating and equally discouraging. I can’t afford to be impatient and angsty when it comes to my writing. For me, not rushing the process and being gentle and patient with my creative output has made for a healthier creative process all together.
Finally open-mindedness is something I personally value a lot. Open-mindedness is directly related to creativity, which is related to intellect. My mind is my muse, and the fact that it is so open and receptive allows me to never be without ideas or inspiration. And inspiration is a creative’s life-force after all.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I would say reading in general inspired me from a very young age. It didn’t matter which genre. I read everything I could get my hands on from classics to encyclopedias, language learning books, even old yearbooks! Words are words and oh do they do something to me! Certain books have left an imprint on my life, but in regards to my development I would say “I Have A Dream”. This book was a self-published book that my first grade teacher helped my class put together in honor of MLK. Shoutout Cascade Christian Academy in Washington!
It was the first time I officially understood what it took to become an author, with a bounded book. Years later and I still remember the process. I was never challenged in school but this was a challenge, and I put my all into it. To have it my hands…the final product that I created was the first time I felt a calling. As my debut novel is set to release this Summer, the child-like process to creation is something that I take with me when I’m outlining, drafting, revising, even marketing.
Contact Info:
- Website: niateilorwrites.com
Image Credits
Marc Shot This Photography, Jessica Carter Photography, Personal Photos
