It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Miatta Harris, author of Walk Confidently into your New Season: A Guide to Build your Spiritual and Mental Muscles

Author’s Bio: Miatta Harris is a Liberian-American Poet, Author, Educator, and Self-Care Advocate. She has been an Educator ranging from early - childhood - high school for over 12 years. She enjoys helping scholars attain their goals and empowering them to reach their full potential. In her first teaching job, she was a Headstart Teacher. Surrounded by emergent literacy, this is where her creative writing skills began. She often fosters creativity with her students through the arts, whether it is through dance, song, or poetry. Teaching is her natural gift; she later discovered that it is also her spiritual gift.

Faced with many trials and obstacles, writing became Miatta’s only outlet. She writes her poems from a standpoint of strength, resilience, peace, perseverance, and self-love. Writing, praying, and the arts have been a healing process for her during this journey of seeking fulfilment and purpose. The challenges she encountered in her adulthood have strengthened her desires as a writer. She is the author of a children’s book entitled, Dede, the Baby Circus Elephant and a faith-based self-help book entitled, Walk Confidently into your New Season: A Guide to Build your Spiritual and Mental Muscles. She often performs her poems at various open mic venues throughout the Baltimore and Washington, DC Metropolitan areas.

Miatta holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Teaching. She is a resident of Maryland.

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?

Miatta Harris: I initially was not going to publish this book due to fear of judgment and ridicule. But a feeling kept approaching me like you have to move forward with this book and I could not ignore the feeling any longer. I was trying to write another children’s book, but my spirit led me in a different direction. The majority of my writing is journal prompts and then, later on, I may revise them into a poem. What inspired me to write this book is that although we may have fear of the unknown and it feels uncertain, we have to make sure our faith is greater than our fears.

DL: Describe your writing process?

MH: My writing process can be described as writing mainly when the spirit moves me. I set time each morning for my devotions and oftentimes, what I write during my devotions may later down the line turn into a poem. I get inspired to write when I am driving, while listening to music, and mostly in the middle of the night. So, my writing process varies. When I do not have my journal/notebook near me, I often may record my thoughts using an audio app and then go back later to write it down.

DL: What do you think makes a good story?

MH: I believe what makes a good fictional story is that it must have excellent story elements, i.e., characters, where there is a protagonist and antagonist, conflict, and a resolution. What I believe makes a good nonfiction text is that it must be relatable, a story in which I can gain and learn information and insights. A good nonfiction story has information/resources that the reader can take away to improve their lives.

DL: What were some of the challenges when writing this book?

MH: The challenges that occurred when writing this book was when I thought I was finished writing my manuscript and then my spirit told me to add more personal touches into my book. Therefore, I had to receive additional editing based on the new material and topics in my book. I wasn't sure how personal I wanted my self-help book to be. But I followed my spirit and included a mini-memoir in my faith-based self-help book. This started as a challenge, then it evolved into a triumph. It can be extremely challenging to share parts of your story that you have kept private for so long, but once you share, you later realize that you could potentially be helping others with their journey.

DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

MH: During my early adulthood years to present, I’ve read and continue to read many self-help books by authors, pastors, and life coaches, just to name a few: Valorie Burton, Bishop TD Jakes, Joel Osteen, Joyce Myers, and Marshawn Daniels.

DL: What was the best writing advice you’ve ever been given?

MH: The best writing advice that I received was that if I encounter ‘writer’s block’ then I should read more books and create an outline for my story.

DL: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

MH: Driven, ambitious, confident.

DL: Would you like to share an excerpt from Walk Confidently into your New Season: A Guide to Build your Spiritual and Mental Muscles?

MH: Sure, here you go:

Father God, I am still holding on to past hurt, which is hindering my growth process. Remove whatever it is that’s trying to keep me from my best self. I feel like giving up each day, but my spirit will not allow me to do that because I am curious to meet the woman that I am working so hard to become. A stronger me, a wiser me, a woman that will save lives, a woman that will help others to heal from her story. Use my test and trials as a way for others to learn about you, Father God. Being overwhelmed and having anxious thoughts are not of God, so help me to eliminate them for good.

Help me to immediately recognize them when they appear; replace them with scripture and affirmation.

“I am love, I am healed, I am going to make it, I am whole, I am blessed, I am grateful, I am creative, and I am a leader.”

I do not need to hide my gifts. Allow me to not be afraid of my gifts that you have given me. Show me how you want me to use them. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

DL: What new projects are you currently working on?

MH: In July, I will be facilitating my first writer’s wellness workshop series. So, please sign up on my email list and follow me on social media to find out more information on my upcoming projects and/or events.

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)?

MH: They can learn more about me and my work here: