We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chiquita Toure. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chiquita below.

Chiquita , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

As a young child I was not considered an excellent reader, I struggled to make connections with personal narratives and community stories hidden inside of books. I considered good reading that which was pronouncing words well with inflection and performative readings but if someone was to ask me about the letters and emergent themes, I would not have an answer. Before I reached middle school, it was challenging to find the treasure within texts until I read a biography about Bill Cosby, in fact the title page noted that Mr. Cosby was actually Dr Williams Cosby. I was in the sixth grade and learned that his story in some ways mirrored my own. Though many knew him as an actor and comedian I learned he had earned a doctorate in Education after struggling for decades in school to learn. His story resonated with me so much, so I became obsessed with reading biographies and reading in general. By the time I was in the 8th grade I had gone from remedial classes to being assigned to gifted courses because my reading comprehension levels had soared. I soon realized that personal stories were fascinating to me and there were many lessons to learn through the sharing. In fact, these stories strengthened me as I read about the main character’s resolve to press through challenges and overcome obstacles. In many ways I was reading about myself. Soon in high school I began to write poetry, stories, essays and interview classmates and community members. Not only I was I a writer and storyteller, I was also a curator of stories. This practice continued into college and for the next four years I worked in over 9 libraries at the university I attended. I was still committed to giving voice to people through their stories. My initial major of choice was journalism but later I choose education and taught Reading and Language Arts before transitioning to school librarian. For the next 13 years I taught youth how to craft authentic stories about themselves and others. I soon learned writing stories for them was more than completing an assignment, it was therapeutic and a method to heal from trauma or disappointment in their lives. When I transitioned to the role of school librarian, I created opportunities for more writing workshops in schools and libraries for both students and staff in collaboration with writing organizations, guilds, and university professors. In 2017 I decided to create Writing Works LLC as a writing consultant business to assist aspiring writers through the specialization of expressive/therapeutic writing. Our mission is to teach people how to use their words and facilitate the power of writing to heal and hope. While some writing consultant companies focus on writing stories strictly for publication and possible best sellers, Writing Works aims to guide the writer through a self-excavation process whereby s/he can first write to heal today and hope for a better future.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Most of my clients came to me by word of mouth. Through my role as a school librarian, I had built a writing program consisting of three core workshops From Here to Healing, The Archaeology of You: Writing using Artifacts and Writing Our Lives. I provided one on one consulting sessions and group workshops in person and virtually. After publishing my devotional Self-Excavation: Unearthing You, A 21 Day Devotional, I found more potential clients who wanted to tell their stories and write about their life journeys. During these sessions, I take them writing prompts that assist them in digging deep. My technique for expressive writing is also anchored in brain research that connects the act of writing with activating gamma brainwaves that are responsible for mediation and healing. I am most proud that clients have developed the discipline of daily writing and sharing their stories. It is my hope that my clients will use writing as a tool for release that opens the door to healing whether they decide to write stories or books in inconsequential. My goal is to assist them in their process.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Initially my thoughts on being an entrepreneur where I thought if I simply followed steps I would prosper. Before long I fully understood that being a successful business owner is about deeply impacting the lives of my clients. I must lead with my core values and a belief system that expresses character. I learned that owning a business is more than selling a service or product, it is embodying that product or service. For example, if I want to sell my book, I must be the book. This means that those who want an up close and personal look at what the book consists should see the evidence within the author of what I write about in my book. Additionally, the practices and strategies that I teach and facilitate must be used and mastered by myself.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Because I specialize in expressive writing, I would recommend the following books on expressive words by several experts and those who use writing as a healing balm. The other books were read for tips and wisdom on money management and running a business.

Writing
by James Pennebaker
Expressive Writing: Words That Heal
Opening Up by Writing It Down: How Expressive Writing Improves Health and Eases Emotional Pain
The Secret Life of Pronouns: What Our Words Say About Us

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldsberg
Writing Down Your Soul: How to Activate and Listen to the Extraordinary Voice Within by Janet Conner

Entrepreneur
Jesus, Entrepreneur: Using Ancient Wisdom to Launch and Live Your Dreams by Laurie Jones
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chiquitantoure.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritingWorksForYou
• Other: www.self-excavation.com https://open.spotify.com/show/6GsQ1jh27JvfSGulS8B3GW?si=1019b463217f4a73

Image Credits
Images credits are owned by Chiquita Toure for pictures 1,2 and 3