The swag is in your VOICE!
Voices. We’re all born with them, and we come out the gate using them. Cries, laughter, formulating words, singing. As we grow older, we use our voices to express our needs, wants, happiness, anger, excitement, and so much more. But have you noticed something interesting that happens with our voices? We seem to go through cycles of finding and losing our voices as we grow. The good news? This doesn’t have to be a bad thing!
At a young age, I found my voice in the written word. I discovered that words had power, power to impact others in positive ways. For example, I could be penniless, but if I wrote a really good birthday poem, it could bring a huge smile to my family and friends. I could write a Christmas play or recite poetry for a school program and watch an audience laugh and clap with joy. I decided to hold onto this voice forever. But I know it doesn’t always come that easy.
In my novel, The Swag Is In The Socks, twelve year-old Xavier Moon is wary of using his voice, and it’s not just because he has a stutter. He’s content with being a background guy and would rather keep his voice in the shadows. Maybe it would be different if he was a musician like his great-uncle Frankie Bell, an aspiring chef like his big sister, Shannon, or a basketball genius like his new neighbor, Daysha. But unlike them, Xavier’s not sure what his “special thing” is. Does this sound familiar? Most of us experience this feeling at some point in our lives. But one thing we must remember (or learn, as Xavier did) is that each voice is unique, and the world needs something from your voice! Xavier had a persistent and eccentric great-uncle and a regular shipment of swaggy socks to help him discover his voice and his place… but what about you? Who or what do you have in your life that can help you in this journey?
A few questions to consider:
● Who or what inspires you?
For me, it’s Kobe Bryant. He didn’t just magically become one of the greatest of all time; he put in the work and committed to the long game of excellence. He committed to being better every day, because even a fraction better is still better. I’ve observed his mindset and apply it to what I love to do on a regular basis. Who or what is your Kobe?
● What consumes your mind? Do you dream of travel or cooking or painting or building or stories or sports? What do you spend time on, without anyone having to tell you to? What would happen if those dreams pushed you to wake up and work?
● What are you good at? What do others request of you often? When I was younger, I was usually asked to recite poetry, or help write a play, or say a prayer at church. These were clues that words were my thing. What keeps showing up in your life?
● What would you enjoy teaching others? One of my favorite Kobe quotes is: “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.” He definitely accomplished that goal, and I’m excited to do the same for others.
Your voice isn’t hiding, and it involves much more than your vocal chords. We all have our own special swag just waiting to be unleashed.
What if you were just one microphone, one dance, one notebook, one sewing machine, one pair of socks away from it? It’s worth it to find out!
– Kelly J. Baptist, NEW BOOK JOY Guest Author
About the Author
Kelly J. Baptist
Kelly J. Baptist was born and raised in the great state of Michigan. She’s lived in Alabama, Florida, and Minnesota, but somehow found herself right back in her home state.
Kelly won the 2015 We Need Diverse Books short story contest, and her winning entry is included in the middle grade anthology, Flying Lessons and Other Stories. Kelly also won the 2017 Lee and Low New Voices Honor Award for her picture book manuscript, The Electric Slide and Kai.
Kelly is a huge Kobe Bryant fan, and incorporates Mamba Mentality in all aspects of her life, especially writing! When she’s not writing — and even she is writing — she is kept busy by her five amazing children, who always give her plenty of story ideas and background noise to write to. Beyond being a mother and an author, she works work as a Social Emotional Learning Interventionist at the Arts and Communications Academy in Benton Harbor, Michigan. It’s safe to say her life is full of stories and kids!
You can read more about her and her books on her website www.kellyiswrite.com.
Conversation
What authors inspire YOU & your family (or close friends) to find your voice(s)?
Let’s get a conversation started in the comments below!
