Daily Inspiration: Meet Valencia Joy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Valencia Joy. 

Hi Valencia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have been a writer all of my life. From the moment I could hold a pencil, I’ve been writing. I used to write short stories in school, and include my classmates as characters. My favorite classes in college were my creative writing classes. As an adult, while going through a pretty tumultuous time, I began to anonymously blog. I used a fake name but began to tell my story in a raw and transparent way. I knew that my gift was truly that…a gift. So many women responded to this blog, relating intimately to what I was sharing. This was a moment I knew that my gift was truly that…a gift. Eventually, God would pull me from that anonymous umbrella, and I began to blog under my name. I’d also share short stories on social media or transparent posts about my life, and again the feedback showed me that my writing connected with women. It was exciting and humbling. A few years ago, I began to write a book, not knowing why I was writing it. I just felt such a prompting in my soul to write. This would later prove to be God. In the middle of the pandemic, a good SisterGirlfriend of mine reached out to say that she was starting a publishing company. She asked if I had anything that I was working on. I immediately remembered the manuscript a few years prior. A few edits and additions and voila…I became a published authoress. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The actual writing and creating process is usually smooth for me. It’s natural. I’ve learned that my writing feels comfortable for women. And that’s important. The rough part is actually sharing what I write. I think that’s why writing anonymously was easy. But it’s a whole other animal to write and then share with others. It’s like having a baby and sharing that baby with the world. You don’t know how that baby will be perceived. That’s how I feel every time I share. Will they like it? Will they get it? Will my jokes be funny? Will I be understood? Did I explain it enough? And so forth. I get over that fear, because as a mother, I love my baby no matter what anyone else thinks. But sharing can be process. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a writer. “Your favorite SisterGirlfriend Authoress”. I write from the heart of a woman to other women. I am most proud of my first published book, “I Met a Guy…and Other Things You Can Only Discuss with Your SisterGirlfriends” simply because it was such a dream deferred, that I didn’t know if it would every materialize. It’s a nonfiction humor book for women, about all the random things we talk about with each other. It’s a girl’s night out, on paper. It’s been rated 5 stars and is the Award-Winning Finalist in the humor/comedy/satire category of the 2021 Best Book Awards sponsored by the American Book Fest. It’s available everywhere you buy books. Locally in Logenberry Bookstore in Cleveland, Elizabeths Bookstore in Akron, Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Woodmere, or the Kent State University Bookstore. It’s also available on all the retail dot coms Target, Walmart, Barnes and Nobles, Books a Million, Bookshop, Amazon. It’s also available through my publisher, www.writeandvibe.com and through me www.veejoyful.com.

I am also a screenwriter. I teamed up with Shawnee Idahosa, and together we created, wrote, produced, directed, and starred in “Live Love and Lies, the Webseries”. We are really proud of the work we’ve done, using local talent and crew, and can’t wait to release it. We just released our first trailer which is really exciting! (www.YouTube.com/liveloveandlieswebseries) 

I own a tee and hoodie line. “Ima Stay in My JOY…GOD said I Could” is something I say to myself often when things get rough. It’s catchy, and others took to it instantly. So, I put it on a hoodie. It’s such a timely message, especially right now, while we battle this pickle of a pandemic! 

I am an internet TV host. HeyVeeTv can be seen on YouTube and runs the gamut from inspirational stories to interviews with advisors, musicians, chefs, and more. (www.youtube.com/heyveetv)

And I am the founder of HeySis, a women’s empowerment movement. I wanted to provide a safe space for broken women to heal and healed women to help. 

I am proud of any piece that I’ve written and everything that I’ve said, that has inspired women to think, heal, love, believe for better, or laugh. 

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Oh yes, I’ve learned plenty LOL Number one I’ve learned, that when I feel the urge to do something, or make a phone call, or write something, to do it. At that moment. Putting if off is gamble because I might forget LOL but also a lot of times its preparation for the future. Had I not written my book when I felt the urge, I would not have had anything to produce when the opportunity to publish presented itself. I would’ve been scrambling. 

I also learned that even tho we make plans, it’s important to be flexible and pivot when necessary. Covid threw us all for a loop and I had plenty of moments when I wanted to give up and take a nap. But instead I learned to pivot. For example, I couldn’t do an in-person book signing because we weren’t really “gathering” yet, so I did a book party on zoom. 

I’ve also been reminded during this time that time is way too precious to waste. It’s our most precious currency. Spend it wisely. And love on people. We are all we have. 

Pricing:

• 12.99 Books
• $45-$54 Hoodies
• $30-$39 Tees

Contact Info:

• Email: Valencia@veejoyful.com
• Website: www.VeeJoyful.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veejoyful
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValenciaJoy
• Youtube: YouTube.com/heyveetv
• Other: www.YouTube.com/liveloveandlieswebseries

Image Credits
Lamar Sykes
Bah Say