We had the good fortune of connecting with Mishy Russell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mishy, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
The tagline for my brand is: “words inspired by my life to encourage you through yours,” and that is exactly what I’m inspired by: my life and the lives of those around me speak into what I write, and what I do! It’s interesting because sometimes I’ll write a poem, and it may be a little depressing or pensive, and I’ll have family members try to check on me to see if I’m okay. But I don’t simply write about my own experiences, but I delve into the possible perspectives of what others may be going through, and what is going on in the world as a whole.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I honestly feel like I have my hands in a lot of different pots! My brand is MIshy Writes, and while it may seem like writing is the only thing I do, I assure you that it isn’t just about that. Mishy Writes encompasses everything positive and encouraging through outlets such as poetry/spoken-word, motivational speaking, images/photography, and proofreading services to uplift others! I utilize words through these things in order to bring about peace and Light into the world.

While it can be fun to have and work through a “social media persona,” what sets me apart is that I’m not afraid to be myself. I’m not afraid to show real life as it happens, whether it be losing my car keys to my dog throwing up everywhere in the apartment, I always want to be relatable and reachable to people. I never liked the “celebrity” mentality, coming off like I live my life in such a way that people desire to be like me or to be me. I’d rather encourage others to be themselves, no matter what that looks like! Being yourself makes you untouchable because there can only be ONE you!

Trusting God really brought me to where I am today in my profession; not just during the times when I don’t know what to do next, but allowing Him to show me exactly what to say, and when to say it, even when things are going smoothly. My creative journey really began in the summer of 2016 – I’d just graduated from college with a Bachelor’s in English, and no clue what to do with my life. I stayed with my parents on Tybee Island, Georgia, working the family bike rental business, and wondering how in the world I was going to use my degree to get a career in writing, not teaching English. A failed potential relationship added stress to my emotional state, and I literally just had to take it one day at a time as I relied on God to help answer questions about my identity and my gifts. Each day that summer, He revealed something different, and I only began writing poetry because I thought maybe it would impress the guy I ended up not being with. And I started reading poetry, specifically “milk and honey” by Rupi Kaur, which really allowed me to see how vulnerable and insightful poetry is to the human heart and mind. I was drawn to how raw poetry could be, so I started anonymously posting poems on Tumblr, and eventually fell in love with it to the point where I didn’t want to hide it anymore.

When I think about that summer going into that fall of 2016, I can remember the feeling of the unknown always looming over me, but through it, I remember also feeling the Holy Spirit motivating me to keep going, to keep writing, to keep trusting. I learned how to sincerely be vulnerable, and to be okay with it. I learned to take some opportunities, even though they aren’t exactly what I had in mind because I never knew what it could lead to. I also learned to trust myself whenever I had a creative idea. I used to be so scared of ideas I had because of the potential for them to fail; but I learned to take chances on them, because even if they only lasted a season it didn’t mean God couldn’t move within that time. Even after the summer and fall of 2016, as I began living in Chattanooga through 2017, it took me until the beginning of 2018 to really put myself and my words out there.

I want the world to know that, while I desire for me and my brand Mishy Writes to be successful, I never want it to compromise who I am, and what I believe in. I never want someone to think about my brand, and feel like it’s just another commercial brand out there that makes its decisions based on money. I want someone to think about me and Mishy Writes, and feel light-hearted and encouraged. I want them to hear my story, and feel like they can accomplish anything so long as they put their faith in God. You may not get what you thought you wanted, but He will allow you to desire what He desires for you!

And while it may not seem like I’m succeeding by the world’s standards, so long as I’m being genuine with myself and how I conduct my brand, along with knowing that the glory doesn’t belong to me, I see that as success!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
While I do like to play tour guide and have them experience something I’ve already tried, I’d want us to try all the spots in Chattanooga that I haven’t encountered! That way we can have a shared adventure. I’d want to take them anywhere downtown because I feel like that’s the most interesting part of Chattanooga to me. We’d definitely have to get bubble tea and sushi at some point…probably from TaiChi!

Oh, and we’d go to Blue Hole because I’ve never been there!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I do want to thank God because without Him blessing me with the gifts I do have, I wouldn’t be who I am today.

I’d like to shoutout my family, especially all 4 of my parents, for always supporting me in my writing, even when I was young. They never made me think that I was incapable of becoming a wonderful writer.

To those who have genuinely supported me from the beginning, who saw me as something amazing before I could see it in myself.

To all my friends who I see as family.

And to my love, Cadarius Harrison.

Website: www.mishywrites.com

Instagram: @mishywrites

Twitter: @mishy_writes

Facebook: Mishy Writes

Youtube: Mishy Writes

Other: My Blog: www.misheala.com

Image Credits
KT Images Photography, Emily Steele (Steele Cinema), BeYoutiful Images Photography

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