We were lucky to catch up with Terra James recently and have shared our conversation below.

Terra , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?

My daddy has been my hero all my life. He was a Sergeant in the army and in the reserves and served his country for a total of 10 years. As a child I felt his absence but I knew he was away from home for a very important reason. He was serving his country to protect the citizens. I believe anyone willing to lay down their life for others us a hero.

Once out of the Army, my daddy felt called to be a preacher and he worked for a security company with a federal clearance. Of course I don’t know what he did there as a job but I know it was still protecting others. He also preached about Jesus Christ, and he was a devoted Christian. Someone who tells people about Jesus and to love each other is also a hero in my book. There’s too much hate and diversity in this world.

I was my dad’s little side kick so naturally I learned a lot from him. He taught me to love thy neighbor as thyself, but also to have boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed. He taught me self defense and the discipline to know when to use it versus using words to deescalate situations. He taught me to show Jesus’ love in everything I do. Freedom isn’t free and if it weren’t for the soldiers who put on the uniform every day and make a choice to risk their lives to protect our God given freedoms we wouldn’t be free here in America.

I carry that through my life and try to let Jesus’ love shine through me. The discipline keeps me focused on my goals. I’m thankful for my freedom and I don’t take it for granted. I live every day to the fullest because we aren’t promised the next. I miss my dad but I know I’ll see him again one day.

As dad used to say, “It’s a see you later, and never a good-bye.” I don’t have regrets because each and everything I’ve done, decision I made, path I took, has lead me to the life I have right now. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I have two beautiful, loving children, a loving husband, and two jobs I love.

Terra , 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?

I started reading at a very early age, and I loved being able to dive into an author’s world and go on adventures without leaving my house. My love for reading lead me into writing, and I started writing poetry when I was ten. It was always very hard for me to talk about my emotions as a child because I’m autistic. I didn’t get diagnosed until I was an adult but I knew something was wrong that I couldn’t describe emotions. Poetry allowed me to do that. My English teacher in highschool encouraged me to enter competitions where I won several and had a couple published.

I dreamed of being a writer for years but was terrified to take that leap so I became a nurse instead. Fast forward to 2015, and my husband encouraged me to take that leap of faith and write my first book. Immortal: The Chosen was born. I fell in love with my characters but I soon found out indie publishing was hard. It felt to me like it was pure luck if you sell or not. Writing books was beginning to suck the enjoyment out of reading and writing poetry for me. Being an avid reader since I was a child I couldn’t let that happen as reading was something I loved to do. Poetry meant the world to me.

Watching indie authors struggle to make it like I did made me want to help as much as possible. I designed my own book covers, graphics, and book trailers; I thought there’s no better way to help indie authors. I could save them money by offering graphics, book covers, logos, trailers, and website design at an affordable rate since I designed all of my book graphics. Thus, lead into what I do now, I design.

I love being creative, it’s highly rewarding, and I love taking an author’s idea and giving it life. I still write poetry as well but just to express myself and because it was my first love. Reading became enjoyable again because there was no pressure to compare myself to any other author or try to write in genres I knew nothing about but where big sellers.

I offer logo, book signing banners, book trailers, promotional graphic ads/videos, website design, managing newsletters, and promotional marketing on social media. Most authors need help with these things so they can write, so I take the stress of the marketing off of them so they’re free to write.

The thing I’m most proud of are my children. The life God gave me, and without him I’d be nothing. My accomplishments are because he gave me the knowledge and ability to learn new skills.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me is by word of mouth from authors that loved my designs and referred their friends/coworkers to me. I’m so thankful for them. Social media promotion also helped because those same authors will share my designs.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding thing is knowing I’m helping an author put their ideas together and breathe life into the overall world their creating through their words by putting it in color and helping them be successful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Terra James
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terr.james94
• Twitter: @NiTerrin