Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenya Wright also known as Author Kay Sweets.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started writing at an early age, but it was my love for music that made me fall in love with words. I was able to let out all of my emotions, with a pen and a pad. I feel like we take words for granted, they have more power than we know. Late middle/high school, I started dabbling in storytelling. My love for words grew more. As I became one with the characters I was writing about.
Too shy to share my work. For the longest, I kept it to myself. Fear of being judged. One day my English teacher got ahold to the wrong composition book. Thinking she was going to grade an assignment, but she got a hood love story instead. She asked me to stay after class. When we spoke, she suggested that I should explore a career in writing/journalism. Since she knew that I worked on the school newspaper. I laughed at the idea because who was going to take a little hood girl like me seriously. Couldn’t imagine me being on the screen reporting the news.
Besides, I had other plans, real big dreams. I was going to be a famous songwriter, writing music for the greats. Having the greatest to ever do it, bless the world with words I wrote. That was my dream. I fought hard to make it come true. But God had other plans for me. He made me a mom fresh out of high school. I made the decision to put on my big girl panties and raise my son. At that point, my dreams no longer mattered. The only dream I had was to make sure I afforded him every opportunity to be great. To help him achieve his dreams.
Fast forward a few years, I added on a few more kids and my dream seemed to be a thing of the past. Until life took a left turn on me, that’s when the very thing I put on the back burner, pulled me out. My favorite pastime (Reading) became my best friend. I fell in love with words all over again.
The more I read, the more I began to write. Before I knew it, I had a whole book. But it was just ink on pages. There was no way I could do anything with it. Once again, doubt got the best of me. There was no way I could chase a dream. I was getting too old and had way too many responsibilities. I would have been a fool to think that I could make something happen.
Call me a fool me then because that little voice in my head wouldn’t let me rest. It kept saying,” you can do it, believe in yourself, it’s your season.” I shopped my book around, 2016 I got signed to S.Yvonne Presents. April 5, 2017, I debut my first release. I’ll Always be Loving you. (Forever His Rider). Since then, I have released four other books. With much more to come from me. Remember my name Kay Sweets
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I would be lying if I said it had been a walk in the park. My dad always told me. “Nothing worth having comes easy.”
So I take that in stride and fought for everything I have. Struggles, you name it I have been hit with it. Toxic relationships, depression, death, homelessness. There are really no obstacles that I have not faced.
Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
I am an urban literature author. I plan to branch out into other genres, but I write about what I know, what i have seen and or been through. What I specialize in is Street Lit or Hood Lit. My uncle coined me, the Author of the Streets. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it.
What I am most proud of? I am most proud that I took a leap of faith. Not for I told you so moment but because I did something that my kids could be proud of. That I could be an inspiration for them.
What sets me apart from others is that I am real. When I say that, I am who I am, and I don’t apologize for it. What you see is what you get. I am that girl next door, the down to earth chick, I have flaws but I embrace them. We were not made to be perfect. Our paths are written for us to stumble along the way. That’s how we learn life lessons.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I look at every twist and turn as a lesson. If I didn’t go through the things that I have been through. I wouldn’t be who I am today. Good or bad, it taught me to be a fighter, to never give up.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kayjsweets
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorkaysweets
Image Credit:
Gary Mcdonald
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