Hello everyone! Welcome to another Author Spotlight! These spotlights are for showcasing author’s (predominantly women and people of color) writing talents and published works. So without further ado let’s get on with the Author Spotlight!
About the Author:
Sydney Reneé is a mother, writer and woman dedicated to evolving in all aspects of her life. Looking for an outlet she began journaling/blogging, which lead to her creating The Diary of She; a space created to inspire women to be themselves unapologetically, use their voices and to never give up on what they believe in. Through her poetry and creative writing, Sydney continues to tell stories and develop characters that readers can look at and say, “Hey, I’ve been there, but I’ve made it through.”
What and when started your love for writing?
I started writing in a journal when I was in middle school (most of which I still have), but it wasn’t until my senior year that I became super interested in writing. I was big into gossip blogs like Nicole Bitchie and I had dreams of one day starting my own magazine, so I started my own blog, which originally started off as a blog where I posted the latest celebrity news and upcoming artist. As I started evolving as a woman there was so much that I wanted to say but didn’t know how. I was so afraid of being judged or losing people that I started writing it all out and that’s how The Diary of She was created. Writing really helped me become the woman I am today; confident, vocal, understanding and unapologetic. During the process I realized I was also inspiring women going through the same life obstacles as me. That makes me fall in love with writing even more.
Of all of the book genres, what drew you to write about yours?
Quotes, affirmations and poetry has always been my go to when I need to uplift myself, get my emotions in check and more. I got to the point where I stopped reading other people’s words and writing my own. No one can tell my story like I can and that’s exactly what I started doing. The more I started expressing myself, I ended up with over a 100 pages worth of poems and affirmations. I’ve also always been a helpless romantic so writing about love and heartbreak came easy to me. No matter how much someone hurt me, I’ve always felt that I’ll eventually find that one. These experiences lead me to writing my first novel, “Let’s Be Friends.”
If you could meet your favorite author who would it be and why?
I don’t have what most would consider a favorite author and although I read a lot of poetry books I would love to meet Sister Souljah. As a woman, she introduced a whole generation of women to street literature. Her storytelling kept readers excited and wanting more. “The Coldest Winter Ever” is a story that will never be forgotten. That book is one of the reasons I enjoy writing urban fiction. There’s a whole world full of people out there to create and once you start it’s hard to turn away.
What is the easiest part of the writing process for you and why?
The easiest part of writing to me is going back over my work once I’ve completed it. I enjoy reading it out loud to see how it flows. Once you are done writing you can always take the time to go over it, see if there’s anything you missed or need to change. I also read it as if I’m the person that’s bought the book and not the one who wrote it.
What makes your book(s)/writing special?
When it comes to my books what makes them special is they come from the heart; it’s pure, it’s genuine, it’s me. Everything I write comes from different stages of my life. You’ll get the unfiltered me. I express my pain, hurt and how I overcome it. I get told all the time by my readers that they’ve never come across someone so open with their life and feelings. Even in my novels you can find a piece of me in the characters or a significant event in my life sprinkled in the book.
So…what are you working on now?
Currently I am working on another poetry book. This time around I’ll be focusing on more mature content. You can say this book will be listed as an erotica, but you will still get a real story out of the poems I’ve written. I’ve been wanting to show more of my friskier side in my writing and this is my chance to do it.
Sydney was a great author to interview and get to know. If you want to get in contact or connect with her you can follow her on:
Thank you all for reading and remember:
