Today we’d like to introduce you to Tissanie Simmons.
Tissanie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
A spanking. It all started with a spanking I received as a child that I will never forget. It will forever be a reminder of my innate abilities. My mother had an old, wooden living room table. It wasn’t antique or anything special, but she treated it as such. The center was made up of glass and we weren’t allowed to set a finger on it. She had left us home while she visited a friend in our apartment building. This left ample time for us kids to be up to no good. So I, being the bravest, mustard up the courage to climb on top. I vividly remember dancing and pretending to be a singer. I swung around and pranced happily. My little brother and sister joined the sing along. Little did I know by 90 pound body was too much for the table to handle. Crash! My foot goes through the glass. We all looked horrific at the aftermath. I paced thinking of a story to tell my mom ending with someone else to blame. Once she towered over us. I told her the most creative lie I could think of, but she didn’t want to hear it. While she spanked me she stated, “You’re always telling stories.”
I’ve been a storyteller my entire life. I was definitely the child my mom forced to tell funny stories in front of her friends for their entertainment. It easily transitioned to high school, I wrote a juicy book with friends. It was full of inappropriate drama, but we snuck it around the halls anyway.
The past ten years I’ve really wanted to put my stories to paper because there are way too many in my head. Since then, I have written 4 books: 2 children’s and two adult novels.
La La ladybug is a children series I created with my oldest daughter. She was obsessed with her sparkle shoes. So I created a character that uses the magic in her shoes to help others.
Generational curse is about a young teen trying to break away from the curses that bounds her family so she can dream beyond her disparities.
Exit 27A is story of a love triangle between the choosing love in the last and or taking a chance on a new love in the future.
Writing was only a hobby. I simply wanted a platform to inspire my children and family. The best way to exert efforts to push them forward was through writing. Effortlessly, I have since discovered that creating and inspiring is my passion.
Now, I am on mission to imprint my stories into the world! As an aspiring storyteller, I have so much more to give. I am currently working on a screenplay, another children’s book and another novel called Dirty Thirties; my perspective for women transitioning into your thirties.
Has it been a smooth road?
They say the hardest part of writing is writing. To be able to formulate your story into a 250 page book is a huge accomplishment. So, I’d say putting your story on paper is hard. My proudest moment as an author was when my family members read my first book. It brought tears to their eyes to finally read the end product of all my hard work. It had done its job of Inspiring family and friends, but more importantly, our next generation.
Besides finding time to write as a full time employee, mother and basketball coach, navigating the road to publishing was, and still is, difficult and tedious. There were plenty of setbacks; publishers not responding to your inquiries, funding for editing and covers, making the right choices as a self-published author, pushing folks to read a damn book, the list goes on. However, ultimately it’s been worth all the effort. I crave the satisfaction of someone reacting my stories and receiving a text, like “girl!!!! I’m going to kill you for this ending” or “I can totally relate to this character.” Ahhhh! So exciting. I look forward to hearing more feedback from future readers.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Tissanie Simmons – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Half of my family members don’t know my real name. As a young girl, I cringed at the thought of someone attempting to pronounce my name, so I disowned it. In fact, I didn’t claim my government name until 5th grade. It was the first time a teacher had ever set me straight.
“Your name is Tissanie, not Tiffany. Why would you want to fit in?” Take ownership of your uniqueness.” Shout out to Mr. Barzzo for planting self-identity into a lost 5th grader.
So here I am; Tissanie Simmons, a creator birthed to be different and to stand out. I am my own business. Not only am I proud of my name, but honored to engage in corrected introductions. I specialize in being authentically myself. I believe this gives me a creative edge needed to write different, relatable stories, as well as, having a resonating voice to speak life into others.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Chicago is like a Cracker Jack box; it’s full of surprises! It welcomes and hugs all with warm encounters. Every time you go, you leave with unforgettable, imprinted experiences. Every trip is a craving adventure that leaves you drooling for more. The city is full of life and I love to hear out-of-staters say, “Chicago is the best city!” Chicago is a melting pot of culture, creativity and passion. She has been extremely welcoming as I continue to network and share my work. As a new author, the creative community has been influential in keeping the flame to grind for my dreams alive!
As a suburbanite, I don’t live in the city, but it’s very much OUR city as well. I dislike when folks assume the suburbs don’t deserve the right to take ownership of loving Chicago. Our careers saturate the streets daily, we spend numerous weekends celebrating life in the heart of it and we’re obsessed with summer time chi. We take pride in her influence just as much as the outsiders. I love my city!
Pricing:
- Books Range from $10-15
Contact Info:
- Email: Tissanie.Simmons@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Photos 3/4- Photo cred: Shotsbyshra- Quishyra Hester
Photo 5/6- Photo cred: ES Portraiture- Erica Schwartz
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
