Diseree Smith, a 2007 graduate of Grambling State University, has finally accomplished her childhood goal of becoming an author, as she published her first book entitled “Beautiful Like a Flower.”
“Becoming an author was always a secret aspiration of mine,” Smith said. “My teacher, Ms. Miles (now deceased), was a big inspiration to me. She brought in a poet to our class who had published her book. Her name was Vera Chitty, and she was an African American. I was so impressed! She looked like me!”
The journey began for the Chicago native when she was entering middle school. She said that reading has always made her happy, and writing has always made her feel free. Smith’s seventh-grade teacher, Mrs. Jackson, knew she had a special gift and continued to challenge her.
“Mrs. Jackson would pick my books for me because she said that the ones I selected didn’t challenge me,” Smith said. “One of the first books that she selected for me was ‘Mama Day’ by Gloria Naylor. It was then that I was introduced to thick plots and multiple points of view in one book.”
“Beautiful Like a Flower” is Smith’s life story told through a character she created named Serenity. The story is a true story about a young woman living on the South Side of Chicago who was surrounded by promiscuity, drugs, peer pressure and low self-esteem.
“I decided to write the story about Serenity, because I know there are both males and females that have been born into less than ideal situations and family dynamics,” Smith said. “No one chooses their families, but your future can be decided.”
In the book, Serenity believed she had eluded the ghosts of her childhood, but quickly realized the unresolved issues followed her to Grambling State University, where she hoped to begin a new life.
“My ideas for the book originated from my life story, the story of my neighbors, and the stories of my community,” she said. “These are not mere ideas. They are the stories of our sisters, our cousins and our friends.”
Smith’s passion is to inspire girls to become strong women who can make their own choices and do not give into peer pressure.
“I want people to know that no matter your circumstance, you can make it,” she said. “You can become your greatest self, because everything you need has already been placed on the inside of you.”