We were lucky to catch up with Tierra Crowder recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tierra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

Legacy is something I think about a lot. Being a writer I would want my work to be something that continues to be shared and read whether it is my children’s books, poetry, or screenplays. I want to leave behind a great body of work that I was proud of and satisfied with being able to create. As well as my publishing company I want it to live on for years to come and continue helping other authors. As a person, I just want to be remembered for living my life how I wanted and on my own terms and not letting the world and all the crazy things going on stop me from smiling. I want the kindness I showed to others to be remembered and passed on through them. I want to leave behind a legacy that sparks change through my work and actions and I’m working every day to get to the point.

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

I’ve always considered myself creative from a very young age I loved reading, writing short stories and poetry, and even participated in Dramatic Reading contests. After graduating high school, I started working with children in daycares and began teaching part-time during college. I wanted to combine the things I enjoyed and It’s always been a dream of mine to write a book of my own and to be able to share that with the world, especially children. I wanted to make fun and uplifting stories that children would enjoy and be able to see themselves in. So shortly after I stopped teaching I started to take writing seriously and began to work on my book. After struggling with connecting with publishing companies and wanting to take things into my own hands I decided to self-publish my book. This is also what led me to want to start a publishing company to provide resources and assistance to other new authors and also to be a part of sharing more diverse stories with young readers. I hope that with my publishing company comes more of my work, but I want to publish more stories by young writers and give back in the future. My publishing company is named after my grandmother Carolyn who passed in 2018 she was my biggest supporter so it was only right that since she wasn’t here to see my dreams come to fruition that it was named after her because without her I don’t think I would’ve gotten to this point. I’m most proud of the fact that I’m actually doing the work and being trusted by other authors to help them make their writing dreams come true as well.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

A current big goal that I’m currently working towards achieving is getting a screenplay to the big screen. It’s so close that I can see it and taste it. I’m taking my time with reaching this goal but actively pursuing it. I don’t want to limit myself to being a specific type of writer. I know some people see me as just an author or poet but I’m always a writer first and this is where that writing journey is taking me next.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think that the main thing that non-creatives wouldn’t understand about my journey is that there is no giving up or choosing something else. How some people may see that a job is not a good fit and go looking for something else or pursue different things. For creatives no matter how many times we are told no, no matter how many projects we don’t sell, or the number of times that we scrap a project and start over there is no giving up. This is what I love and I know that I will get to where I want to be if I continue to work for it, and I’m only getting better. I can take on other hobbies or jobs but this journey I’m on is meant for me. I couldn’t see myself not writing even if I never sell a book or if no one ever reads anything I write its a part of me that I can never let go of. It makes me whole and happy so it’s no letting this go. I know that may seem foolish to some people but the ones that get it will understand.

Contact Info:

• Website: tierracrowder.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/insaniteeeee instagram.com/carolynpublishing
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tierra-crowder-559642179/