Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandy Warrior.
Hi Brandy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My creativity sparked when I was a little girl, sitting in the hardback pews of church. My family raised my sisters and I in a small AME church located in southwest Atlanta. A large mural of Jesus climbing a hill in a storm was positioned behind the baptismal pool, facing the congregation. Every Sunday, I lost myself in that mural, imagining the journey of Jesus up that hill. I became one with the painting every week. This moment in time serves as my first memory of granting my imagination permission to take me on magical rides.
My childhood hobbies all related to the arts. From reading several books (Judy Bloom was my go-to), writing in journals, studying dance of every genre, to teaching school to my collection of Care Bears and Cabbage Patch Kids in my bedroom. I was a jubilant kid, constantly dancing, singing off-key, laughing, squeezing joy out of lemons… always seeing the glass half full. I was a vibe before we knew what vibes were in the 80s.
The journey of life happened after college, and my passion for writing took a back seat. Adulting showed up, along with bills, responsibilities, and the need for security. Instead of strapping my passion on my back and running with it, I allowed society’s standards chart my path for quite a while. Still enjoying life while knowing something was missing. I just couldn’t put my finger on it.
Until that faithful day in 2019, I read a Facebook post calling for all writers to participate in co-authoring a book. God said, “Go!” I’d never published any of my work previously. Without trepidation, I accepted the call and knew it was time to breathe life into my pen. Since then, I’ve co-authored 2 books (“Embracing the Battle:Tried by Fire” and “Dear Young Woman, Vol III”). I’m currently writing scripts, submitting my first one to a film company for a television show currently in production.
The moral of my story is to keep going. Don’t stop. Loving life, no matter the age or stage. I’m a 40 something year young, divorced mom of an amazingly brilliant preteen, corporate woman, counsel to some, faithful friend to my circle, devoted sister and daughter, and God’s girl. I wear many hats, as most women do. But I’m committed to nurturing my gift of writing and serving humanity through storytelling. I’d like for my son to be proud of his mom for betting on herself, showing him to do the same with his gifts God has graced him with.
I’m incredibly thankful I get to live in purpose while walking on water in faith. I don’t always know how God is going to open the doors, but I’m sure He will do just what He’s promised me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
If anyone says their road of life is smooth, I would tell them to keep living. Seasons of life include ebbs and flows, detours, wrong turns, mistakes, sorrow, suffering and do overs. As people say, it’s not what happens to you, it’s how you respond. I’ve trusted people with potential business dealings I shouldn’t have trusted because my discernment wasn’t sharp. There were moments I simply didn’t have the room in my life to commit to writing because of the responsibilities. I’ve made some decisions that caused me to take 5 steps back after taking 2 steps forward. All in all, I knew I had to keep going for myself and my son.
The stumbling blocks hurt, can knock the breath out of you, and may cause trauma. But prayer, counseling, self-reflection, family support, and the will to keep going is what keep me going in those seasons. My son says nothing happens by coincidence. It’s so true and essential to know God uses all circumstances for our good. I still see the glass half full and have learned to pivot in many instances. God is truly my compass.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Along with the 2 books I co-authored, I’m excited about my current journey of script writing. I wasn’t sure I knew how to write in this format, as I’ve always written in narration. But I did what we all can do, I Googled “how to.” I did my research and took it from there. Once I understood the format and structure, the words flowed from my thoughts to my laptop. Now I’m in my zone.
I can see my characters vividly as I write about them. From their complexions, imperfections, clothing, the inflection of their voices, their personalities. I see it and feel each one of them. This is my current zone, and I’m sure I’ll continue to learn and elevate from here. I’d love to sit under seasoned script writers and gain every drop of knowledge, feedback, notes I can. The bottom line is as long as I can write and create, my heart is full.
My voice is what sets me apart from others. There is only one Brandy Warrior. The same way there is but one Issa Rae and Keisha Knight Pulliam. Only one Toni Morrison and Mother Maya Angelou. We are uniquely who God made us to be. The only person I can be and want to be is Brandy, authentically, at my best self. Truly offering my love and heart to the art of storytelling. That’s it. It’s that simple for me.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Ah, this is a good question and can be dissected in various ways. My success encompasses a few things. Success is watching my son thrive as he grows into the teen years, into the young adult season and beyond. My success is providing him with the tools to navigate life, preparing him to resolve challenges and to bounce back from valleys. My success is knowing he has God in his heart while he chases his dreams and gifts with faith and support from his parents and village.
My success is having the ability to parent in this way while building a full, global, healthy life curated from storytelling. It looks like inspiring and empowering women through my work. Success is being able to provide jobs and careers for others following their passion.
Ultimately, success is transitioning from this earth when my time expires completely empty because I have it my all. Taking my last breath, leaving a legacy that positively impacts generations to come. That is what success looks like for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/BrandyWarrior
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandywarrior/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/?tbua=1#!/brandy.manning.9?eav=AfZsSS7AJm4qbClQzS7eUyIn4eU8gPjo8kZxWtO24KfH2Ulj9E0Z8b9zKHevYx68Ed8&paipv=0
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCjnDzkWQgmqr5-1cbQp0l_g
Image Credits
KD Quality
