Meet Narell Hunt | Author, Director & Actress

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

Hi Narell, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
The most important lesson my career has taught me is that networking is key. When I started Lilac Sky Publishing, I was in a shell, and the idea of meeting new people meant for me to come out of this shell I had put myself in, which at the time was not easy for me. However, the more I started putting myself out there, with performing poems from my book and vending and pop up events around the city, this shell of mine began to break, without me realizing it. With my shell now weakened, I was able to put myself out there, and I attended a networking event at the Legacy Center in East Point Georgia. I met one of the founders of Black Byrds Melody Network. I was explaining that I’m a writer and author and looking to take my fiction novel from the pages to the screen. It was this connection that led me to director, Asar Freeman, who gave me the opportunity to assist him with directing and starring in his film, Searching for Raymond: The Donna Maria Green Story. If not for me networking, I wouldn’t have discovered the joy in directing and acting, bringing my career as a writer to new heights.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is creating stories from ideas and emotion, turning words into poetry, and bringing them to life. My poetry are just words until I perform them in front of an audience, now they have life. The characters that I’ve created in my head are nothing but balls of emotions and ideas until I give them a personality and a story line. The role I played in the film, Searching for Raymond, was just another character until I dug deep to get to know the woman I was playing, allowing me to me to embody her so that I may bring her to life on screen.

I love to create; I love art in all forms of fashion. I’m where I’m at today by taking risks – no risk no reward; and to be honest, most artist must take risks because being an artist is risky in itself. The world doesn’t cater to creators, we have to keep going and keep fighting until one day, the world cannot help but recognize us and our gifts; and even if they don’t, doesn’t matter, we create because we love it.

Some of the lessons I learned along the way is that it’s okay to be different and walk away from people and situations that try and box you into their standards. We are uniquely made and should embrace it, not try to be like everyone else, and for true artists, we just simply can’t be. My brand is my baby and I want all creatives and entrepreneurs to know that your brand is your baby that must be nurtured and cared for. You don’t expect your 3-year-old child to have it all together, so how can one expect that from your business – keep nurturing and keep going so that it can keep growing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my friends came to town the first place I would want to go is the spa, preferably a bathhouse. We would hit the Atlanta nightlife scene, and visit some spoken word/poetry events.

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?
I must shout out Black Byrds Melody Network! BBMN is a network that produces film! This year, we have teamed up to work on a project that tells the story of a woman whose son was kidnapped from her when he was just a few days old. The name the move is Searching for Raymond: The Donna Maria Green Story. Our hope is that in telling her story, we’ll give awareness to the number of children who are stolen and trafficked right here in the United States of America, and being spread all over the globe. BBMN brought me in as not only an actress, but also to assist the director as well. From the creators to the crew, this team has taught me so much, not only when it comes to film, but also, what it’s like being a part of a genuine team. Grateful.

Website: www.lilacskyllc.com

Instagram: @lilacskyllc_ @bb_melodynetwork

Linkedin: Narell Hunt

Twitter: Lilacsky777

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lilacskypublishing

Youtube: WriterNarell

Image Credits
Selena Gordon Rita Parker