We recently connected with Shameka Erby and have shared our conversation below.

Shameka, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents were huge readers. Both my mom and dad read all the time and were known for leaving books all over the house. Reading was definitely my gateway into writing and I owe that all to them.

I used to get into their adult books as a young child, autobiographies, poetry, history, fiction, and romance–purely as someone able to read words, not as someone able to fully comprehend. But my parents made sure that when I got older and I was able to grasp more complex literature, that I went back and read it through again for understanding. They were very big on reading and knowing, yourself and your history. Wanting to know stories led me to wanting to tell stories, and it opened the door to writing.

Shameka, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

On social media, I am known mostly as Shameka the Writer. I write Black romance with fat characters, short stories, and creative nonfiction essays. I love that my work opens the door to creativity for me and others. I love sparking imagination, and treasuring happily ever after. But I also love making you wonder about the after, making you want to linger in the lives of the people I’ve created.

I started writing as an adolescent, and I think I will continue as long as I am able. Writing is at the core of who I am and I am so proud of my work. It makes me happy to express my art, and happy that people connect with it.

If you never remember anything about me, remember that I am a storyteller, who is always seeking better.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The best thing about being a creative is getting to live inside my head, lol. I love that there are worlds there, just waiting to be built, lives waiting to be lived and celebrated. And when I finally get them out, others can experience them too. I love letting my imagination run free, and having people connect with its outpouring.

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

One of the most important things I unlearned is the imaginary list of “writer qualifications.” Everyone has edicts for what does and doesn’t make you a writer. According to some, you’re not a writer unless you write every day. You’re not a writer unless you explore every idea, every experience that comes to mind. Or whatever rules folks make up about what makes a writer on any given day.

I had to unlearn all of that “advice” to find my groove as a writer. I had to learn to trust my own mind, my own pen, and my own instincts. I had to learn to have faith in my stories, even the ones that stayed in my head and didn’t make it to the page right away. No one can tell me I’m a writer. My stories speak for me, and nothing else. And the rules are really just suggestions.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shamekathewriter.com
• Instagram: @shamekawrites
• Twitter: @shamekawrites