We had the good fortune of connecting with Dionne Character and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dionne, what do you want your legacy to be?
As a creative writer, author and columnist, I want my legacy to be filled with words. Spoken words. Empowered words. Unsaid words. Raw and Real words. Words of love and hope. Words of encouragement and excitement for life, as tomorrow is not promised. I want my legacy to be filled with words one line at a time, reminding those who have nothing to say to scream aloud, letting their words be heard. I would love readers to remember every article, interview, short-story and poem that I wrote was written from my heart to theirs. I want my friends and family to always know that I was unafraid to say the things people were unable to express as I was able to tap into my creative power. Most of all, I want readers to know that my life’s voice as a writer and artists was meant for change whether through a song and/or written books. I want every student who created in my creative writing classes to remember the “freedom” of voice I allowed them to experience. I want to be remembered as someone who changed the literary world being her authentic self as I’ve always known the power of words.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was born and raised in New Orleans, a City surrounded by musical talents. After traveling as a background singer, I decided to tap into becoming a writer, wrote my first book and became an Essence Music Festival Bestselling Author of 7 Pairs of Black Shoes and WildFlower: Growing From The Muck. In March, 2021, I will be releasing You Better Got Your Dream: A Journal for Women Creatives who would like to tap into their creative power as my journey as a writer was easy. Doors were opened as I was able to use my voice as a radio personality, television host and celebrity red carpet host. I am most proud of manifesting my career through hard work and drive.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would frequent the shops on Melrose. Have lunch at Flower Child. Shop in Santa Monica and listen to live entertainment at The Mint LA.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A writer is only as good as his/her editor. I would like to thank Willmarine Hurst for editing all of my books more specifically, my latest, You Better Got Your Dream: A Journal for Women Creatives, which will be released March, 2021. I would also like to thank all of my readers and followers who have become family over the years, encouraging me to continue to be bold on paper, saying the things most people are afraid to admit. Thank you Alvin C. Romer, Rodney Greenwood, Cornelle Keveen, Beverly Brown, Rosie Wilson, Natalia Patino and Alona Darby.

Website: https://www.characterhollywood.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dionnecharacter/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/divacharacter

Image Credits
Photo Credit: COMPLX Photography.

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