Sharvette Mitchell is a JRW member who you’ve probably seen on a panel or two. Author, speaker, professionally certified leadership coach, former member of the Board of Directors at JRW, and social media guru are just a few of the many hats Sharvette wears. Her writing has been featured in publications such as CEO Magazine, Glambitious Magazine, HOPE for Women Magazine, and Huffington Post, among others. Sharvette authored two books (PROPEL – The Essential Handbook for Women in Business and Leadership and POUR – The Secret Effects of Giving and Serving in Small Business and Leadership) and co-authored two books (Mogul in the Making and Get it Done! Design the Business of Your Dreams).
When she isn’t writing, you can find her hosting her weekly talk radio show, The Sharvette Mitchell Radio Show. It’s no surprise that she received the Radio Personality of the Year Award from ACHI Magazine.
Check out Sharvette’s blog for more resources and articles!
JRW: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
SM: My very close friends have heard me joke about fake books and book titles for many years. The running joke and standing title, if you will, was “Some Man Told Her to Wear That.” I was joking about writing a book about style, fashion, and self-esteem. I NEVER actually thought I was a writer or that I could write. About five years ago, I was asked to participate in a book collaboration and contribute a chapter. That was the first time that I seriously thought about writing and the writing bug bit me!
JRW: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
SM: If I am looking at a blank screen for a long time due to writer’s block, I will pick up my phone and call my conference line (which records calls) and just talk it out. It’s almost like a verbal brain dump. I then use a transcription service like Rev.com to transcribe my audio into words. Bam! Now I have words on the screen and that gets the writing flow to start.
JRW: What is one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
SM: I went the self-publishing route and I was surprised at how many self-published authors don’t know that publishing just to Amazon can block where their book can be distributed. Luckily, the book consultant I hired for the first anthology gave me great guidance on what to do and what not to do.
JRW: What advice would you offer new writers?
SM: Jump into marketing your brand before you think you need to. Most authors wait until the book is in hand and quite frankly, you are then playing catch up!