Get To Know Shala
The RBM: How long have you been writing?
Shala: I've been friends with the pen forever, since i was a little girl in Lawrence, KS. I didn't
really realize I actually had any talent until my junior year in high school. I was always afraid to
share my work with anyone until my senior year when i took creative writing. That is the best
class ever!
The RBM: Growing up, who influenced you to become who you are as a person?
Shala: I would say 90% my mom, and everyone else in my family (and close friends) share the
rest. My mother is a very strongly convicted woman of God, and that's how she raised me to be.
My dad and brother taught me a thing or two about life, as well as all my aunties and uncles on
my moms side. We have a close family, so I wasn't just my mother's child, but 10 other adults
as well.
The RBM: In your spare time, what do you enjoy doing other than writing?
Shala: I listen to music every chance I get! I love movies (Blockbuster and Netflix love me),
spending time with my boyfriend, and definitely my friends. Just hangin out and having a good
time always makes me happy. I try to laugh as much as possible, it keeps me young lol.
The RBM: You are currently in school in D.C. (by way of Lawrence as you like to say).
How was the transition from Kansas to D.C.?
Shala: It was more like a jump. I come from a place where everyone knows everyone, race is
never really an issue. Not a lot of black people, and if there were any, I'm related to them in
some way. DC is completely opposite. All my friends here are black, except for 2. I'm not saying
that DC is all segregated, but it's a lot more cultural than where I come from. I gladly welcomed
the transition. Things are different, I talk differently, dress differently, even walk differently.
Luckily I found a good group of people that only tease me about being from KS part of the time.
lol.
The RBM: To those who have never been to D.C., what are 4 things that they should do if
they ever visit?
Shala: Definitely do the "touristy" thing. The White House, Washington Monument, The Mall,
Museums (African Art, Holocaust are wonderful) that sort of stuff. You should definitely eat!
There are so many amazing, different places to go. Whatever you have a taste for, there is a part
of town that specializes in it. Even if you're not a club person, you have to go at least once. Just
like food, there is a place for everyone no matter what kind of mood you're in. Experience the
nightlife. Lastly, I would definitely say....Come visit me! Who better to show you around than
me, right?
The RBM: Do you ever plan on being published? If so, what type of project would you like
it to be?
Shala: Definitely. There are so many projects I would love to do. Of course one of them is a
book of poetry, and my family keeps begging me to do an autobiography. I would love to open
my own publishing company. That's been a dream of mine for years. After that, I would love to
write a novel of some sort.
The RBM: Who is your favorite author and why?
Shala: This is a tough one. My all time favorite would have to be Langston Hughes. I've always
been a fan, but just the last few years got to go in depth about the man behind the poetry and the
stories. He is the most amazing, talented writer. Not only that, but he was from KS too. It's cool
to read about his life there. I feel like I'm that much closer to seeing and understanding the things
that he went through and wrote about.
The RBM: Favorite book?
Shala: These are tough questions! I don't think I can pick just one. Langston Hughes' "The
Dream Keeper," Zane's " Sisters of APF," Michael Baisden's "God's Gift to Women," and the
Bible.
The RBM: Who's in your CD player right now?
Shala: I'm always burning mix CD's. It's got some Urban Mystic, Lyfe Jennings, Raheem
DeVaughn, Kanye West...just to name a few.
The RBM: Your favorite food?
Shala: I just love food! Anything I can get at a family gathering is my favorite. The holidays are
my tummy's best friend.
The RBM: Can you cook?
Shala: Of course I can cook! My mama didn't raise no fool. lol.
The RBM: Biggie or TuPac?
Shala: OOOOH. I've always had an issue with this. I like Biggie's style better, but Tupac is an
amazing poet. I guess I'm not ready to pick yet!
The RBM: Finally, to those reading this interview, what do you wanna say to them?
Shala: I just want to say thank you. First, for sharing the whole Mecca Experience with me.
This is truly a great opportunity to read and express myself with such talented people. Second, to
those who may not be members yet, join. What you get when you become a part of this family is
way more than you can ever get from just browsing as a guest. Lastly, thank you for taking the
time to read a little about me. It's a good feeling to know I'm not the only one interested in my
life. Thanks
Shala: I've been friends with the pen forever, since i was a little girl in Lawrence, KS. I didn't
really realize I actually had any talent until my junior year in high school. I was always afraid to
share my work with anyone until my senior year when i took creative writing. That is the best
class ever!
The RBM: Growing up, who influenced you to become who you are as a person?
Shala: I would say 90% my mom, and everyone else in my family (and close friends) share the
rest. My mother is a very strongly convicted woman of God, and that's how she raised me to be.
My dad and brother taught me a thing or two about life, as well as all my aunties and uncles on
my moms side. We have a close family, so I wasn't just my mother's child, but 10 other adults
as well.
The RBM: In your spare time, what do you enjoy doing other than writing?
Shala: I listen to music every chance I get! I love movies (Blockbuster and Netflix love me),
spending time with my boyfriend, and definitely my friends. Just hangin out and having a good
time always makes me happy. I try to laugh as much as possible, it keeps me young lol.
The RBM: You are currently in school in D.C. (by way of Lawrence as you like to say).
How was the transition from Kansas to D.C.?
Shala: It was more like a jump. I come from a place where everyone knows everyone, race is
never really an issue. Not a lot of black people, and if there were any, I'm related to them in
some way. DC is completely opposite. All my friends here are black, except for 2. I'm not saying
that DC is all segregated, but it's a lot more cultural than where I come from. I gladly welcomed
the transition. Things are different, I talk differently, dress differently, even walk differently.
Luckily I found a good group of people that only tease me about being from KS part of the time.
lol.
The RBM: To those who have never been to D.C., what are 4 things that they should do if
they ever visit?
Shala: Definitely do the "touristy" thing. The White House, Washington Monument, The Mall,
Museums (African Art, Holocaust are wonderful) that sort of stuff. You should definitely eat!
There are so many amazing, different places to go. Whatever you have a taste for, there is a part
of town that specializes in it. Even if you're not a club person, you have to go at least once. Just
like food, there is a place for everyone no matter what kind of mood you're in. Experience the
nightlife. Lastly, I would definitely say....Come visit me! Who better to show you around than
me, right?
The RBM: Do you ever plan on being published? If so, what type of project would you like
it to be?
Shala: Definitely. There are so many projects I would love to do. Of course one of them is a
book of poetry, and my family keeps begging me to do an autobiography. I would love to open
my own publishing company. That's been a dream of mine for years. After that, I would love to
write a novel of some sort.
The RBM: Who is your favorite author and why?
Shala: This is a tough one. My all time favorite would have to be Langston Hughes. I've always
been a fan, but just the last few years got to go in depth about the man behind the poetry and the
stories. He is the most amazing, talented writer. Not only that, but he was from KS too. It's cool
to read about his life there. I feel like I'm that much closer to seeing and understanding the things
that he went through and wrote about.
The RBM: Favorite book?
Shala: These are tough questions! I don't think I can pick just one. Langston Hughes' "The
Dream Keeper," Zane's " Sisters of APF," Michael Baisden's "God's Gift to Women," and the
Bible.
The RBM: Who's in your CD player right now?
Shala: I'm always burning mix CD's. It's got some Urban Mystic, Lyfe Jennings, Raheem
DeVaughn, Kanye West...just to name a few.
The RBM: Your favorite food?
Shala: I just love food! Anything I can get at a family gathering is my favorite. The holidays are
my tummy's best friend.
The RBM: Can you cook?
Shala: Of course I can cook! My mama didn't raise no fool. lol.
The RBM: Biggie or TuPac?
Shala: OOOOH. I've always had an issue with this. I like Biggie's style better, but Tupac is an
amazing poet. I guess I'm not ready to pick yet!
The RBM: Finally, to those reading this interview, what do you wanna say to them?
Shala: I just want to say thank you. First, for sharing the whole Mecca Experience with me.
This is truly a great opportunity to read and express myself with such talented people. Second, to
those who may not be members yet, join. What you get when you become a part of this family is
way more than you can ever get from just browsing as a guest. Lastly, thank you for taking the
time to read a little about me. It's a good feeling to know I'm not the only one interested in my
life. Thanks
"Get To Know" Other
Community Members
Murfftown
Lyrical Diva
Yetmon
Sleepless Beauty
SincereKnowledge
MPLS Writer
Synapticalist
Sparky
Rhyme Cypha
Shala
Reeses
IroquoisEclipse
Toledo Sweetness
Married2God
MelodiChoas
Bahiya
MarkG
Jaxx1108
KC3Angel
Undefeated
Resonance
The RBM
Cold August
Community Members
Murfftown
Lyrical Diva
Yetmon
Sleepless Beauty
SincereKnowledge
MPLS Writer
Synapticalist
Sparky
Rhyme Cypha
Shala
Reeses
IroquoisEclipse
Toledo Sweetness
Married2God
MelodiChoas
Bahiya
MarkG
Jaxx1108
KC3Angel
Undefeated
Resonance
The RBM
Cold August
THEMECCALOUNGE.COM
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