Author Interview-Get Poetically Designed with Author Tammie T. Bell-Davis
Welcome to Untamed Publishing's Author Interviews! As a company that caters to the self-published author, we want to highlight and support indie authors. There is a vast array of talent amongst us, and here's the opportunity to connect the readers to their next favorite author!
This interview features, author and poet, Tammie T. Bell-Davis. Sit back, relax and get poetically designed by her ingenious ink!
Before we begin, I want to let you know what an honor and privilege it is to interview this phenomenal woman. We have had an outstanding networking relationship for years and are also business partners. Above all else, she is a beautiful person inside and out, and one that I am extremely proud to call my friend and sister. So when she published her VERY FIRST BOOK, you know UP had to bring you this fire!
Welcome Tammie! Why don't we start with finding out just who Tammie is? Tell us a little about yourself.
Thank you UP for having me on your amazing platform. My name is Tammie T. Bell-Davis, however my business name is Ms. PD/Poetic Designs. I am a woman made of many different facets, a poet, entrepreneur, designer, baker, radio host and so much more. Basically, if you name it, I can create it.
Listen! I know firsthand that this is nothing but the truth! With the many hats that you wear, why did you make the decision to become a published author?
Actually, my 1st published piece was 20 years ago. I submitted my poem YOU to be considered for The Poetry Guild Anthology and it was accepted. After that the local newspaper heard of my entry and published it in their paper, the same for a local magazine (Cream) who asked to publish 2 of my pieces. That’s how it started and from there, I co-authored a book titled, “The Sisters’ Fight; A Poetic Anthology of Awareness on Cancer & Bullying”. Also I wrote pieces for “Spoken Word” for the Soul by Sharon Lawrence and for Author Untamed’s book “The View”. So as you can see it’s a natural progression to produce my own book.
And that is why I can attest to the fact that you are a dynamic poetess. If you have ever read “The View” all of Karl's poetry was written by none other than Ms. PD! Poetry is your love, but are there other genres that you write or wish to write?
Poetry was and is my 1st love, but honestly, I can write any genre as I have an imaginary mind.
Because I see you constantly creating, this inquiry might be moot, but is there a time of day that you are most creative as far as writing?
Ha ha…my writing has no timeframe. When it hits me, I write, that simple. Sometimes I have to pull over, stop cooking, or whatever I’m doing to write down what comes to mind.
Now, if you were to write a book about yourself what would you name it? Why?
Hmmm, if I had to write a book about myself I couldn’t because I don’t see myself in a way to write about it, however, I would call it The Poetic Vision of a Butterfly. A butterfly best symbolizes my spirit and who I am.
I beg to differ, but some may say I'm being a bit biased LOL! Seriously, though you are like a butterfly, beautiful, unique and rare so I understand fully why it symbolizes you. But this brings me to my next question. What is your current project about?
My new book “Butterfly Visions” is a collection of just a few poetry and collaborations I’ve written over the years. Some as far back as 15 years ago. Some are based on my life, some straight from imagination and some from what I’ve seen around me.
Readers, if you have not treated yourself to her poetry book, do yourself a favor and head over to Amazon. You will not be disappointed. Now I may be slightly biased, but my favorite poem in the book is SEE, lol. I will just leave that out there for you all to figure out. Let's continue the excitement over your latest release. What was the motivation/inspiration behind your latest release?
The inspiration behind putting it out was just, it’s time. I wanted to do it much sooner but with all that I do in my business and brand it just took a back seat. I have my husband and friends who kept being in my ear that they wanted to see it and I didn’t want to let them down. UP was also a buzzing bee in my ear.
Now, I am going to back up a bit because I also want to ask about your title. You have a very interesting book title. Can you please share the idea behind the title?
I see myself as the caterpillar that cocoons into an amazing butterfly. It symbolizes change, hope, courage and beauty. That’s how I see my life. I’ve dealt with many hardships in silence, things that would break some, but I didn’t let any of it change who I am at heart. My vision of life are through the eyes of a butterfly, optimistic.
Are you interested in performing spoken word or making a spoken word CD?
I’ve already tackled that! About 4 years ago, I released my poetry/music EP titled: Poetically Designed produced by the Black District. I already have new music to begin work on my 2nd EP. Such a great creative outlet to share with the world.
I know that you have in the past, in the future, would you like to collaborate with other authors on a book project?
If it’s of merit, I’m open to work with anyone.
What makes your writing stand apart from other authors?
I honestly don’t know if my writing stands apart from others. I write what’s in MY spirit at the time. I leave it up to the readers to tell me if it stands apart from others.
Rest assured, your writing does stand apart. Reader approved! Well, let's delve into getting to know more about you, PD! We'll begin with your likes. Name your top 5 favorite books by indie authors. Why are they your faves?
My top indie authors are Author Untamed, Vulyncia Poindexter, LaDonna Marie, Kiana Donae, Kisha Townsend & D.D. Wright. I have MANY books by indie authors but time no longer allows me to read as I did in the past. The authors I mentioned I have read and I admire their truths, imagination and passion in their work.
Who is your favorite poet and why?
I don’t have a favorite poet.
Since you don't have a favorite poet, do you have a favorite poem and why?
My favorite poem is Phenomenal Woman by the late Maya Angelou, because well, it’s phenomenal.
Agree with both answers! Let's learn some fun facts about you. Tell us one thing about you that is a little known fact.
I love calm and madness at the same time.
Outside of writing, what are your favorite past times?
Outside of writing, my passion is my custom gift and dessert business Poetic Designs that takes up ALL my time now. I enjoy designing and handcrafting jewelry, home décor, desserts, centerpieces, diaper cakes, framed poetry, gift baskets, event set ups and so much more. It drives my every day!
We would love to get some advice from you. What is one lesson you’ve learned since becoming a published author?
When it comes to being an author, I feel you should be true to what YOU want to put into the world. Writing to attract what you think is popular or correct is a fail, to me anyway. Being true to you is what will attract readers.
What is one myth about being a published author that you learned and would like to share?
Much like life, writing is a very personal thing, just because you CAN doesn’t mean you SHOULD. If it isn’t different, it can easily get overlooked and you’ll be disappointed because it’s not being received as you’d like.
Tammie aka PD, it was a pleasure to interview you, and we look forward to your future works! (We promise we didn't coax her into giving those awesome compliments!). Please connect with the author and check out her book, “Butterfly Visions”. And we'll just go ahead and tell you that you will LOVE the ink of her poetically designed scribes!
Tammie T. Bell-Davis
Social Media and Website Connections!
Email: poeticdesignsttb@gmail.com
Website: poeticdesigns.net
IG: @poeticdesignsgiftsanddesserts
FB: facebook.com/poeticdesignsTTB
Poetically Designed EP
https://m.soundcloud.com/poetic-designs/sets/poetically-designed-produced-by-black
Synopsis:
Butterfly Visions by Poetic Designs is a poetic compilation of love, life, inspiration and collaborations. Seen through the eyes of a butterfly, the writer, Tammie T. Bell-Davis, known as Ms. PD/Poetic Designs. See her vision, share her thoughts, create your own.
Snippet:
If Words Shed Light
If words shed light
Let these thoughts guide your day and brighten
your journey on the most darkest day.
Life is unpredictable but we don’t have to live in dismay.
Someone has walked in your shoes, lived in your head,
thought of all your wishes, so your dreams can be fed.
Enjoy…
Bonus Snippet:
SEE
With me it begins with a feeling, a simple thought of how it should be
It sparks in my mind and travels through my veins
Then back to my eyes where the vision is plain
I see clearly, what I want from it, my gaze draws it near
My willingness to accept it also holds me back with fear
I know that when I touch it electricity plays a part
Jumpstart the blood with fire a passion, putting the beat in my heart
The skin of my hand, a cool shade of brown, soft like satin upon contact with yours
The touch alone has me wired, feeling sexy, wanting to explore
Now it’s time our lips should meet entwined with the purpose to please
Tenderly providing a promise of what’s to come is worth the release
Now contact to the point of no return
Feeling all I have to offer, taking all you have to give
I’m getting lost in you and I love it, this is how souls should blend
It’s like I’m dreaming yet wide awake
The pleasure of you has me feigning way more than I can take
You could be like my morning and night with a lazy Sunday afternoon
And I’ll embrace you with a sweetness you’ll never want to leave soon
Caught up in the ecstasy of all I ever dreamed of
Happy with the illusion that I’ll always know as love
~T.T.B.D
#2018 #authorinterview #getcaughtup #poetry #untamedpublishing #PoeticDesigns
