Once you have the dream, you must make it a reality.
By Chanda Temple
Go ahead and ask because Stephanie Perry Moore has heard the question too many times to count.
Yes, people have told her she looks like Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer of “The Help’’ fame. And yes, Moore knows Spencer.
The two were high school classmates at Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery, Ala., where they were both in drama class.
While Spencer has a large following for her acting, Moore has one for her writing.
Moore, who’s written more than 70 books full of heart, sass and grit, will be in Birmingham on Sept. 22- 25 for a fall book tour and talk at several Birmingham Public Library locations. She’ll kick off her tour at 10 a.m. at the downtown location, 2100 Park Place. (See the complete tour schedule at the end of this post.)
Stephanie Perry Moore has big dreams and says children should, too. (Photo: Special)
The young adult novelist will target youth in her Birmingham message. She’ll discuss the importance of following dreams, writing books and how she’s still on a journey of trying to get her books made for television and movies. Her goal is to inspire youth to live their purpose. Her new series, “The Sharp Sisters,” was released in August, and the next series, “The Swoop List,” will be released January 2015. She will be selling copies of several different books during her tour.
Actress Octavia Spencer
Photo from American Library Association.
“If you are still living, breathing and going, you are supposed to keep striving,’’ says Moore, a married mother of three now living in the greater Atlanta area. “So that means, more networking, more education … and (more) prayer.’’
What is her advice for pursuing a D.R.E.A.M.? She has five tips:
Be Dedicated
When going after a dream, you have to work on it all the time. You can’t put it down and pick it up. You have to prepare for the test and ace it. Athletes practice nonstop. Those 3-point shots just don’t happen. They happen because a person practices.
Be Resourceful
Find a mentor and ask how they excelled and how they failed. Avoid people not doing anything.
Elevate Yourself
Always reach high. If you are making Bs in school, go for As. Keep climbing.
Have an A-plus attitude
Wear a smile even when you feel like frowning. Maintain a positive attitude through disappointment.
Focus on “Me’’
If you make “me’’ important, you will take care of that “me’’ just like you will take care of that dream. Learn to be your own cheerleader.
Here is Moore’s Birmingham tour schedule:
Monday, Sept. 22
Birmingham Public Library, 2100 Park Place, 10 a.m.
North Avondale Library, 501 43rd St. North, 1 p.m.
Springville Road Library, 1224 Old Springville Road, 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 23
Powderly Library, 3301 Jefferson Ave. SW, 10 a.m.
Titusville Library, #2 Sixth Ave. South, 1 p.m.
West End Library, 1241 Tuscaloosa Ave. SW., 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 24
Smithfield Library, #1 Eighth Ave. West, 10 a.m.
Avondale Library, 509 40th St. South, 1 p.m.
North Birmingham Library, 2501 31st Ave. North, 4 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 25
Five Points West Library, 4812 Ave. West, 10 a.m.
Pratt City Library, 509 Dugan Ave., 4 p.m.
For more information on Stephanie Perry Moore, please visit http://www.stephanieperrymoore.com.
Chanda Temple is a former reporter now working in public relations. She blogs about being better in business and more at http://www.chandatemplewrites.com. Follow her on Twitter at @chandatemple. Contact her at chandatemple@gmail.com.