The Interview - Martie M. Smith

“From the moment I was born, I felt like I had something to prove. My mother even called me a mistake, and that weighed heavily on my heart for years. As a child, I found an escape in books—stories where characters turned adversity into triumph. Through those pages, I realized I had the power to rewrite my own narrative. That’s what first inspired me to pick up a pen: the idea that words could transform my deepest hurt into something beautiful and empowering.”

“Absolutely. My pivotal experience came during the height of the pandemic, when the world seemed to hit ‘pause’ and I was forced to confront parts of myself I’d long ignored. In the quiet of isolation, I realized I had never truly loved or valued my own uniqueness—I’d spent so much of my life trying to fit into molds that weren’t made for me. That realization was jarring, but it also lit a fire within me: I began a daily practice of mindfulness, journaling, and gentle movement to reconnect with my body, nurture my soul, and rewire my mindset. I discovered that resilience isn’t just about pushing through hardship—it’s about embracing who you are at your core and committing to your own well-being. That epiphany changed everything. It reignited my passion for helping others see their worth, honor their true selves, and recognize that transformation—mind, body, and soul—always begins with self-love.”

“Whenever I feel stuck, I step away from the screen and revisit my past from my teenage years. In my Diary / journal , I documented every time someone told me I couldn’t succeed or labeled me in a negative way. It was destroyed by mom. But Ironically, seeing those words in my memory

“I see writing as my personal revolution—a declaration that I’ll define myself on my own terms. Each morning, I carve out a sacred hour to pour my thoughts onto the page. No matter how busy or emotional life gets, that time reminds me I’m shaping my narrative instead of letting a hurtful past define it. I compare it to strength training: every day I flex that creative muscle, and over time, it becomes an unbreakable routine.”

“I measure success by the messages people send me—about how they finally stood up to a toxic environment or began chasing a long-buried dream. Some share that they, too, were labeled ‘unwanted’ or ‘mistake’ and that reading my work helped them find hope. Those testimonials are my compass, showing me that by sharing my vulnerable moments, I’m paving a path of courage for others.”