There are folks who do it for the money or the perks. There people who do not have the drive to pave their own way, leaving authenticity on the back shelf. And then there are creatives and artists like Tyece Wilkins, that aim to be genuine and truthful, while tugging at your thoughts and spirit. A month ago in the midst of blogging, event planning and building an unstoppable brand, Tyece of Twenties Unscripted released her book, Twenties Unscripted: A Journey of Womanhood, Writing, and Relativity.
It took me about 4 days to read the book cover to cover, but not because it was an easy read, but because it was written for women like me. It was written for women who strive to be more than great, but impactful also. It was written for those of us who want to be loved and understood from our soft core to our crazy and often intricate hard shell. It was written for those who are coming into their own, experiencing the potholes of womanhood, yet trying to steer ourselves in not the safest direction, but a direction that works well for us.
No, this isn’t your guide to twenty-something living. This isn’t another cliche self-help guide. This is Twenties Unscripted: A Journey of Womanhood, Writing, and Relativity, as told by someone who looks, and feels, like me. And it came at the right time.
… And since I’m in a giving mood, I’ll be giving away a signed copy of Tyece’s book down below! But before that, check out her interview below. Learn more about the book, but also the Phenomenal Woman behind it.
Name: Tyece Wilkins
What’s your passion: writing
Fun fact about you: I have the word “free” tattooed in swirly and indecipherable cursive on my right side, so most assume it says “Tyece.”
Tyece, it is a pleasure to have you back on YS.com and as a part of this series! Tell the YS.com clan about yourself. Refresh them of how phenomenal you are!
TW: Hey, YS readers! I’m a writer and personal blogger who believes in the power of witty women, wise words and a full wine glass. I’m the creator and editor-in-chief of Twenties Unscripted, a personal blog and brand where I spark women to connect to the best, bravest and boldest parts of themselves. I’m the mother to a temperamental and fiercely independent cat named Roxy. I’m obsessed with stationery. I never met a black and white dress I didn’t like.
You recently released your book, Twenties Unscripted: A Journey of Womanhood, Writing, and Relativity. What made you decide that this year would be the year of the book?
TW: The book wasn’t something I set out to create at the beginning of this year. It originally came about when I was considering offering a limited edition collection of my work as part of Twenties Unscripted’s third anniversary. As I started amassing the work for the collection and really putting in the effort to assemble the book, I realized that this was my first book. It was more than a limited edition collection. It became much more of an undertaking than I originally set out for it to be.
The last time you were here we spoke about blogging, self-worth, and preservation. You share quite a few personal encounters throughout this book, and one that stuck out particularly was, “Not For Public Consumption.” How did you go about choosing which essays would make it into the book? Were there internal battles in what you wanted the general public to know about you?
TW: Each year I put all of my blog posts into print using the Blog2Print site. So, the process of choosing which essays would make it into the book began with pulling all of those Blog2Print anthologies and using post-its to categorize them (I know we love post-its at YS). A pink post-it meant I definitely wanted the essay in the book and a blue post-it meant I was on the fence about including that piece.
Then there were pieces like Not Suitable for Public Consumption that weren’t originally published on Twenties Unscripted, but that I knew were emblematic of my coming-of-age story. Choosing to include Not Suitable for Public Consumption was a tough choice, but not one that I mulled over for too long. I knew that I would not do my story justice if I didn’t include that essay.
It’s been roughly a month since the release of your book, what are some of the biggest lessons you have learned from this milestone?
TW: A book goes from this grand and intangible dream to something that becomes a part of your arsenal. It has become another part of the Twenties Unscripted package, which means that I don’t have to hold it up on some pedestal. Before writing a book, I presumed that doing so would cause some seismic shift. But, the value in writing a book isn’t the seismic shift, but rather the solid anchor it provides.
I’ve also learned that you can’t be afraid to sell yourself. You have to be willing and ready to market and promote the work.
What do you hope readers take away from the essays shared within Twenties Unscripted: A Journey of Womanhood, Writing, and Relativity?
TW: Authenticity is the greatest thing you can offer the world. Fearlessness is the greatest thing you can offer yourself. That’s what I hope my essays embody—a sense of authenticity and fearlessness. I also hope people take away that any true success story is built from the mud and cultivated from the mess. We live in a world that worships pretty, perfect and pink lipstick. That image doesn’t tell me anything. It doesn’t tell me the truth and it doesn’t tell me a story. I hope people take away stories from my work that linger, resonate and reflect what they are going through.
What can we expect next from you, Tyece? We know you have projects up your sleeve.
TW: I’m wrapping up the Womanhood, Writing, and Relativity Blog Tour this month, and two Womanhood, Writing, and Relativity brunches will take place this fall. I’ve also teamed up with a group of 10 women for a multimedia project focused on the varying layers of black womanhood. I’ll roll that out later in the year. Other than that, I’m putting in work and holding my cards close until 2016.
This wouldn’t be the Phenomenal You series if we didn’t end with our signature question, words for a past version of you! What advice would you share with your college self about the journey of womanhood, writing, and relativity?
TW: Womanhood: Being a strong woman is not about never letting them see you sweat. It’s not about the stoic, inaccessible and strictly business image that you have painstakingly handcrafted. No, being a strong woman is about stripping down to your most vulnerable layers.
Writing: You know that blog “Free Love” you have now? The one where you throw some words up on the screen when you’re bored working at the writing center? Keep doing that. You’re on to something, a hell of a lot more than you know.
Relativity: Leave that guy now. No, like yesterday.
Tyece Wilkins believes in the power of witty women, wise words and full wine glasses. She is the creator and editor-in-chief of Twenties Unscripted and author of Twenties Unscripted: A Journey of Womanhood, Writing, and Relativity, available for purchase on Amazon now. Visit www.twentiesunscripted.com to read more of her work and connect with her on Twitter @tyunscripted.
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