Today we’d like to introduce you to Trelani Michelle.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Trelani. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve been writing pretty much all my life. I started taking it more seriously in 2012. I attended a writer’s conference and published my first book that same year. I’ve published about one per year since then. I’ve also started helping other people write their books through ghostwriting, co-writing, and coaching.
In 2016, I started Krak Teet. A lover of history, I started visiting former plantation sites in the low country. In the bookstores they’d have slave narratives. That was my first time reading words from formerly enslaved persons other than Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, etc. It was mind-blowing taking in all those different experiences and perspectives. It made me wonder who was collecting our elder stories today. I figured no one was, not in the Savannah area, so I set out to do it.
In total, I interviewed 19 African American elders over the age of 80 about living in Savannah between 1920-1970. What was life like? What was the city like? What were some of your favorite recipes and homemade remedies? What was your first job? We discussed the military draft, protests, and so much more. I took all of those stories/memories and wrote a book, which I published in December 2019.
This project has challenged the narrative that black folk don’t read or that young people ain’t interested in history. It’s not the truth. They’re just not engaged with what’s been previously presented to them. Krak Teet is different; it’s local, familiar, and true.
Has it been a smooth road?
Owning a business is a relationship. No relationship is a smooth road, but you decide if it’s worth committing to. If it is, then you stick it out and do what it takes to recover and overcome the obstacles. When I first quit my job to write full-time, I had clients. Then it slowed down and I freaked out. But I stuck with it and learned my business’s patterns. I tend to slow down in spring and summer and pick up in fall and winter. Now I move/save accordingly.
I’ve also changed my business model several times (my prices too). That isn’t always an easy move to make, because you’ll initially wonder if it’s in your best interest. Even writing Krak Teet was difficult. Before that, I’d written novels, self-help books, memoirs, etc. An oral history was something completely different for me. I doubted myself along the way, as well as doubted whether people would even be interested in it or not.
I got a mentor who’d written an oral history. That helped beaucoup. And I committed to trusting the process, focusing on the step I was on and not worrying about how it’d be received.
I’d advise other young women who are just starting their journey to not let fear get in the way. Just get started. And if you need to restart, then do that. The resources will show up. Trust that. If I went into all of my endeavors knowing everything it required, I would’ve been overwhelmed/paralyzed. Just focus on the step you’re on right now. When it’s time for step 2 then step 10, you’ll focus on that then, and everything you need to accomplish it will present itself.
We’d love to hear more about you as a writer.
I’m a writer who also helps other people write. I especially help those who consider themselves great speakers but not so good writers. I specialize in writing stuff that people can relate to. I’m hella honest in everything I put out there, and very true to my voice. I want you to read me and hear me. After reading something that I wrote, I want you to feel more accepting of yourself and expressive of your truths and curiosities. As a co-writer and writing coach, I specialize in helping others write just as fluently and honestly.
As a brand and service provider, I’m most proud of my decision to take that chance and go after my “niche” audience. Once upon a time, I also wanted to serve everybody because I didn’t want to turn a dollar down. Then I realized how fear-based and exhausting that goal was and I switched it up. In my book Women Who Ain’t Afraid to Curse When Communicating With God, I’m speaking to a very specific woman. That title called out to her. In Krak Teet, I was reaching out to a bit broader audience but a specific one still, and I got to ’em.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Just get started and trust that the resources will align. Everything you need will show up. Just do the work. Think about it like a grant. I used to be a grant writer and realized that many people try to apply for grants with just an idea. It doesn’t work that way though. Grants are rarely given to ideas; they’re given to track records. They want to see that you’ve done everything you could do with what you have and now you need X-amount of dollars to get even further.
I got this huge nudge to visit Oakland, California last year. Everything in me and around me was pushing me to go. I started planning an itinerary and realized: 1) the Bay is the most expensive area in the country, 2) My budget could afford the flight and the hotel with about $50 more dollars to spend. Without going into too much detail, because I expound on in an Instagram post and blog post, I trusted that I needed to be there and I went. And everything panned out amazingly. I came home with like $10 left, an exciting new project idea, and connections to get started. And none of it felt shorted. That was one of the best trips of my life.
Pricing:
- Krak Teet is $25
- Women Who Ain’t Afraid to Curse When Communicating with God is $20
- “Writing Services” and for the price “Visit website”
Contact Info:
- Website: SoFundamental.com
- Email: Trelani@Sofundamental.com
- Instagram: @Trelani_Michelle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trelani.michelle
- Other: IG: @KrakTeet
Image Credit:
The pic with the orange wall and green dress has a photo credit to Roland Nash
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