Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danielle Lyles. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Danielle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is researching and documenting my family history. It began in 2021 after a conversation with my dad about a familiar family story. As I asked more questions, I realized how much I didn’t actually know. That curiosity sparked a journey—not just for answers, but to create something lasting for my children and future generations.

That journey took us to Marked Tree, Arkansas, where my dad and cousin Earl walked me through the areas where our family once lived and where some are buried. Nearly two years later, I self-published my first family history book, covering my dad’s paternal side. A year after that, I published a second one—this time on my mother’s paternal line. Now, I’m working on both of their maternal sides.

Listening to my dad’s stories made me realize how essential it is for families—especially Black families—to know where they come from. But the research wasn’t easy. I ran into so many obstacles: name changes after slavery, misspelled records, misgendered individuals, the absence of census data—especially the loss of the 1890 census—and the fact that vital records weren’t collected until 1913 in many places.

When I started, I knew nothing about genealogy. But I dove in headfirst, learning everything I could so I could present the most accurate history possible. I’m a firm believer that if you don’t know your past, you’re at risk of repeating it. That’s why I included a section in my dad’s book on family pitfalls and triumphs—to help us reflect, grow, and move forward with intention.

This project awakened something deep in me—not just a desire to uncover our family’s past, but to make sure my children know their roots and truly know me and their father as whole people, beyond just being their parents. That’s what led me to create life story prompt journals—one for moms and one for dads—that we’re currently working through.

As I was researching my parents’ books, one of the hardest parts was piecing together the lives of those who’ve passed from the memories of those still living. So much has been lost over the years. And I carry a real sense of regret that I never asked my grandparents more about their childhoods or their parents and grandparents. That’s why I created the journals—because who better to tell your story than you?

This family history journey has been one of healing, learning, and legacy-building. And it continues to show me the power of stories, especially when they’re told before they’re forgotten.

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

My name is Danielle Lyles, and I wear many hats. I was born and raised in North Saint Louis and am a product of Saint Louis Public Schools. I’m a proud wife of 26 years to my high school sweetheart, a retired Navy veteran, and together we’ve raised four amazing children who make me incredibly proud with their work ethic and love for one another.

At my core, I’m a storyteller—an author and screenwriter with over fifteen years of experience. My journey into writing began on a dare from my husband to reimagine the classic Black film The Wiz. I took on the challenge, completed the script, and even hired an entertainment attorney to pitch it to the rights holders. Their response was clear: if they ever wanted to remake the film, they’d hire someone themselves—and if I moved forward, I risked legal action. That was a turning point. Instead of giving up, I chose to write something original.

Since then, I’ve built a portfolio that includes screenplays, stage plays, books, and even ghostwritten projects for clients who trust me to bring their stories to life. I don’t limit myself to one genre—my work spans faith-based projects, sci-fi, drama, musicals, and television scripts. I believe writing is a gift from God, and with that comes the responsibility to create meaningful stories—stories that make people laugh, cry, think, or even dance in their seats.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, something unexpected happened—my business grew more than ever. While the world slowed down, my LinkedIn inbox lit up with messages from people ready to tell their life stories or revisit writing projects they had tucked away years ago.

I had originally planned to use that time to focus on my own creative work, but instead, I found myself helping others bring their stories to life. And honestly, I wasn’t upset about it. Being able to make a living doing what you love is a gift. One client would refer another, and that momentum carried me through nearly two years of consistent, meaningful work.

When things eventually quieted down, I was finally able to turn my attention back to my own writing—but I’ll always be grateful for that season. It reminded me how powerful storytelling is, and how many people are just waiting for the right moment—and the right person—to help them tell theirs.”**

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

When I first started writing for others, I had no idea what to charge. I researched industry rates, but I couldn’t imagine asking for what professional writers were charging—because I didn’t yet see myself that way. So, I started off charging below average, just to get my feet wet. In hindsight, that wasn’t the best approach.

Writing for myself is more flexible and less pressured, but writing for clients came with weekly deliverables and a full-time workload. I was essentially working an eight-hour day without the compensation to match. After finishing my first project, I shared my frustration with my husband. He reminded me of something simple but powerful: I had been writing for years, I had a degree in the field, and I consistently delivered quality work. He encouraged me to stop undervaluing my time and talent.

That conversation changed everything. I revamped my contracts and adjusted my pricing to reflect the value of my work. After that, there were a few potential clients who tried to negotiate for lower prices and to that I politely encouraged them to find someone willing to work within their budget. For everyone else who understood the time, energy, and expertise it takes to bring a story to life, my pricing was fair. That experience taught me the importance of knowing—and owning—your worth. As a client, I would never try to talk someone down from their pricing. It devalues them and their work.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniellelyles78
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellenlyles
• Other: TikTok; @lavishlivinglyles
  Amazon Author Page -https://www.amazon.com/author/daniellelyles