We continue our series of conversations with the Artist in the Afternoon participating panelist. Next up is Latanya Mack.
Latanya Mack, a Chicago, native, resides in Atlanta, Georgia. As a retiree, she began writing to encourage her family and friends. In turn, they encouraged her to publish her works. Her granddaughter, Kenya Wallace–Williams showed a special interest in helping her compile many of her poems. Beloved, Sweet Darlings (2021) is their sixth book. Sit, Walk, and Stand in Every Heavenly Blessing (2011) is a book of inspirational poetry based upon the book of Ephesians. I Am…Still Standing and Moving Forward (2013) features poetry, prose, and affirmations about overcoming life’s challenges by discovering the power within to create and recreate one’s reality—divine authority given by God to every human being. Mélange: A Perfect Blend (2015) captures how all things in life work for our good. One: Singleness of Thought, Purpose, and Spirit (2018) expresses the sentiment that we are all one, and that oneness is achieved through love, forgiveness, and divine purpose. Again, I Say (2019) reminds humanity to remember the promises of God and their divine purpose and to persevere through life’s challenges. Beloved, Sweet Darlings (2021) is a call to remember you are God’s chosen and love yourself and others inside and out.
PrideIndex (PI): Tell us something about yourself that no one else knows until now:
Latanya Mack (LM): I really and truly dislike wearing bras!
PI: Name of book(s) you plan to sell:
LM: Mélange and Beloved Sweet Darlings.
PI: Who is your target audience?
LM: My target audience is truth seekers of joy and peace of any age.
PI: What is the central message you desire to communicate to the reader?
LM: Your purpose and life plan is not for me to judge. We are all becoming…minute by minute. Sharing is caring.
PI: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
LM: I have shared encouraging notes for a long time, but I published my first book at 70.
PI: Where do you find your inspiration?
LM: My inspiration comes mostly from my thoughts in conversations and sometimes during my meditation time.
PI: Why did you write this book?
LM: Family and friends encouraged me to publish this book because I increased my note sending to them after I retired. Publishing began as a “keep busy” retirement plan for me.
PI: How do you nurture ideas from brainstorming until they come to life on paper?
LM: The thought will not go away. I keep thinking and revising (sometimes months) until all of me says yes…This is it.
Artists in the Afternoon: Prose, Poetry, & More will take place on Saturday, September 3, at the Metropolitan Library, 1332 Metropolitan Parkway SW, Atlanta, GA, from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. This event is free.
