Member Spotlight :: hope*writer Michelle Layer Rahal

We love to celebrate our members and their writing progress. Each month, we highlight a member whose work caught our attention, and this month we’re celebrating nonfiction writer Michelle Layer Rahal. To learn more about Michelle’s writing, you can visit her website or find her on Instagram and Facebook.

We asked Michelle to tell us about her writing journey as a hope*writer. Here’s Michelle’s story in her own words.

When did you first realize you were a writer?

I've been writing since I was a little kid. I remember my 6th grade teacher telling me to become an author. Instead, I went into radio newscasting, then into the field of education, where I worked on state and federal studies. I love conducting interviews, doing research, and working with data, then turning it into a story that is comprehensible for everyone. 

What is the value of having a community of writers to come alongside you?

It has been AMAZING! I put off joining hope*writers for over a year because I'm used to working alone and didn't see the benefit. But when COVID hit and isolation set in, I took the plunge. I didn't know how much I needed the community, until I had the community.

Why is hope*writers the right community for you?

Through the Member Directory, I was able to find several amazing women who were interested in creating a hope*circle. We get together via Zoom every Monday to share our stories, encourage each other, and pool our knowledge. We are all in different places in the writing journey, which allows each of us to be both a mentor and a mentee. Having this accountability group has been instrumental in keeping me focused on my current writing project. 

What do you like most about the resources offered by hope*writers and why?

I love the Tuesday Teachings and the archives of interviews that provide just the right lesson for the season I'm in. I also enjoy reading all the members' posts on Facebook and the Monday Recaps. The Member Directory has also been an extremely helpful resource. 

What specific progress have you made since becoming a hope*writer? 

The actual process of writing has never been an issue for me, but marketing is! Hope*writers has helped me increase my platform, shown me how to take steps toward guest blog posting and podcasting, and introduced me to the importance of networking. 

Michelle tells us that her next steps are to write articles to submit for publication, to complete her second book, and to grow her platform by marketing her second self-published book. We’re excited to  provide her with the tools she needs to meet her present and future goals.

Are you interested in a writing community that will help you take consistent steps toward progress like Michelle? Click here to learn more about how to join hope*writers!