Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Michelle DeSelle.
Hi Dr. DeSelle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with the art of storytelling. The beauty of assembling words to construct a place of refuge and peace was my saving grace as a child. One’s imagination is the incubator for the greatest masterpieces. If only we possessed the courage to set them free. In grade school, I discovered that my reading ability changed how people perceived me. I was no longer poor nor underprivileged when words fell from my mouth.
Powerfully, my words captured my listeners and I took them wherever I pleased, Never once did they relent. From that tender time, the God’s had granted me the gift of “Words and Speaking as my Super Power.” My gift was nurtured by amazing teacher’s and my upbringing and work in the church. Thus, I was inspired to pursue a career in radio broadcast, as well as a Mass Communication professor teaching public speaking and screenwriting, among other courses. My love for the spoken word was always cultivated by journaling and freelancing. Passionately, writing short stories, poetry, professional bio’s for entertainer’s as well as performing comedy on stage. Yes, comedy… linguistics has no boundaries. Freedom is a quest that we all have in common, however, our escape routes differ. Mine was speaking, writing and teaching. Yours may be cooking or painting, but it’s where you feel free. I have always wanted to be a professional writer and figured I would get to it someday.
Well, I decides that I would start like the average person would by sending out query letters to Essence magazine and the like. I would create a file for my rejection letters until something broke. I had no idea that the opportunity to become a writer would come and find me. Unbeknownst, to me I was being researched by Kendall Hunt Publishing Company’s Higher Ed. division. An amazing editor named Stephanie Ramirez reached out and scheduled a meeting at my office at the University. Shockingly, that meeting produced a contract for a book deal. Now I never thought in a million years that my first book would be a textbook, but who knows the details of how one’s journey will unfold? The book was a great success. Making me the first African American woman in the department to have ever written a textbook satisfied the publishing requirement for the entire department that term and having the text adopted by the University. Every section of public speaking taught was being taught from my textbook, “The Speech I Teach: Public Speaking for Today’s Students. I was indeed honored to have been considered, and that consideration was granted because of my adored student. There is an extraordinary power experienced through storytelling. The writing, the speaking all promotes empowerment, joy, healing, and connections of brotherhood and sisterhood. However, if the story has no voice we are robbed of these essential components of emotional and spiritual survival. Life changing stories are bound and chained in the hearts of men and women who have suffered Voice Theft. These dark encounters caused many to suffer as children and continued throughout adulthood as I did. For this reason my latest book was inspired, in the self-help genre called “I Speak.” The new offering is a step by step guide that serves to provoke readers to find courage, freedom, power, and pride in their voices.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are stages in the road construction of our life. Depending on the size of the pathway the journey can be a lengthy process. Smooth roads… we can only hope. But in all of it, good and bad, it is an intricate part of who we are. It determines how you are going to show up. The character that the struggle builds shapes our creative process. My body of work is stronger and more impactful because of the struggles I experienced along the way. One huge struggle I face while writing “I Speak” was battling “self disclosure.” I had managed quite well throughout my life masking the “all is well” façade. Peeling back layer’s of childhood traumas and abusive relationships were hard but necessary. As a writer I had to realize that the book is not written for me but for the reader to find hope and courage and my duty is to sacrifice myself for them.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My career path as a mass comm. scholar and professor was perfect in that it fostered and nurtured the creative in me as well. Teaching and writing are my greatest passions, I am most proud of the thousands of students I was blessed to teach, train, and mentor over the years. I believe the main thing that sets me apart from others in my field is that I show up for the mere love for the work not expecting accolades or rewards. The rewards come organically, most times inspired by the experiences and the genuine connection you have with the people around you.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is the impartation of knowledge into other’s. The reason why is the thrill I get when witnessing how they apply that knowledge and grow in their personal life or career. Nothing is more rewarding than hearing a reader or former student explain how reading “I Speak” helped them to forgive or gain courage to find their authentic voice. Moreover, it matters that I get to be a student too. Becoming the vessel that get’s poured into affords me to be an overall better teacher and writer. I invite each of you to accompany me on this life changing journey of finding your voice. This experience will reveal the many hidden treasures you posses. But it takes courage to be free. I want to walk with you as you discover who you are really meant to be. Get your copy and do the work. The world is waiting for the gifts you have in store.
Pricing:
- Kindle EBook $9.99 on Amazon
- “I Speak” paperback $14.99 on Amazon
- Signed mailed copies $23.00
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: michelledeselle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelledeselle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelledeselle
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/michelledesell1
Image Credits
Joe LaBrane of Superstar photography
