“At 22 i swore i drowned and i promised myself i would finally learn to swim. when i was approached by the ocean that is emotion, i learned the true meaning of drowning. during the year 23 i learned the true duality of my being. i discovered the deepest evils that live within me. i learned the true definition of polar opposites. i said once that i met the devil, but i learned that the devil lived in me. i met myself through the eyes of another and the reflection was the devil. and then i saw myself through my own eyes: tired, flesh stretched over bones, eyes that no longer glowed, passion that burned from within… reduced to leftover ashes. at 23 i was ready to die–at 24 i am ready to live.”

~Miranda Rae Mitchell

Excerpted from: http://UNPARALLELED.ONLINE

UNPARALLELED, A collection of poignant perceptive essays, narratives thoughts and quotes, that perfectly blend personal growth, tragedy,triumph and wit between it’s pages.

I met with author Miranda Rae Mitchell, for brunch at a Washington, DC cafe.  There while enjoying biscuits and mimosas, we discussed what prompted the writing of her book? How her relationships and travels around the world influenced her writing ? What plans she has next in line, and where she came up with that unique book title and message! 

Thanks for agreeing to share your thoughts with HilAm Adventures today, Miranda. 🙂  

Tell everyone about yourself ?

Well my name is Miranda Mitchell I’m 24 years old, I live in the greater Washington D.C area.  I am gainfully employed full-time and trying to figure out adulthood one day at a time.

So, you live in DC [Alexandria] now, but you just finished road tripping several places right?

I did… I did yes!

What did you see culturally that inspired your writing?

I just returned from a trip to Mexico with a friend.  It was amazing! We were told (my companion and I), prior to our visit and even on arrival, that people of color are very celebrated there. We were told not to be offended when locals come up to you asking for a photograph, or to just give you a warm hug. When it actually occurred several times a day while touring the cities I was AWESTRUCK.  It’s always super refreshing to get that type of reaction to the color of my skin.  In the work place, socially, and in public, many times I feel like I have to hide my blackness.  

Did you write this book or create some of the ideas while you were traveling?

Some of the thoughts were created while traveling not nearly around the world, but navigating being an adult.  Navigating moving to a new state, or part of the country. Not so much a “HilAm” type thing, but it was definitely an adventure. (Miranda is a San Francisco, California native, who migrated to South Carolina.  She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of The University of South Carolina, where she earned  Bachelor of Science degree in Retailing with an emphasis in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing).

Can you tell us about UNPARALLELED your recently released Book?

So, UNPARALLELED is such a hard thing to describe.  It  wasn’t done in one or two settings.  It took maybe 1 year…a year and a half of long sleepless nights.  It was a thought that I believed I needed to share.  It was a split decision, I was like you know what?  I’m gonna write a book!  I am one of those people if I say I’m gonna do something…good or bad,  I stick with it.  I had a friend who was going through a really rough time and, I was just kinda coming out of a rough time, and I wasn’t completely honest or straight forward with friends,  family and co-workers about what I was actually going through.  This book was my way of letting people in, and communicating with them.  

What inspired the title UNPARALLELED?

Well, that’s funny!  When I was in undergrad, I created this thing.  It was just another thing that came to me, in the middle of the night, and it started out as a drawing, and some of the pages of UNPARALLELED, are written on this mural thing.  It hung in my room at my college apartment, and when I released it to the world, my mother left a comment on the picture, that said, “your talent is unparalleled.”  I just felt like that was the boldest, strongest statement.  I was just super honored to have such a strong word labeled to me.  So, when you look up the definition of what unparalleled is, it’s just this super strong thing!  I want that, and I’m totally fine with being defined with that lable. 

When did you find inspiration?  What motivates you, Miranda?

Uhm…what motivates me? For me, I just really (a long pause), my biggest motivation, is just being good to people.  If that means being completely honest with people?  Then, that’s what it means.  If it means going above and beyond for people, despite what I want, or feel?  Then, that’s what motivates me!  I find myself always asking, how can I do more for people?  How can I inspire people?  How can I make people feel more comfortable?   For me, everything, every movement, means something.  Sometimes, it’s a blessing and a curse.  Every choice that I make in life is based on, how my actions are going to affect someone else!  

What are a few of the quotes that seem to connect deeply with people?  For  me, as a blogger, it was the one from your chapter about Love, “Dealing with a person’s shit.”

It’s the last page.  I guess like an ‘ode to a scorpion.’  A lot of readers just like me, are in their 20’s, in the world, trying to work, and school, and date.  One of the most popular ones is the line, where I state, “I’ve found peace in my solitude.”  A lot of young girls, are saying this is exactly what I want.  Sometimes, I find myself saying, ugh!  There’s no shortage of men out there.  It just is what it is.  You just go outside, and someone will ask you out on a date.  Sometimes, I think I should socialize more…sometimes I should just talk to more people.  Sometimes, I’m asked if I’m sad about past situations.  I find myself saying, NO.  I honestly, don’t want to be bothered.  I’m at complete and total peace.  Nothing is better than going home, and just being alone with self.  For me, I give, and give, and give.  What I’ve learned to ask myself, is when do I give to me, if I’m never alone?  

What’s the best part of the thing that you’re working on next?  Are there any other projects coming down the pike that we can look forward to?  Let me just tell you that your book UNPARALLELED, is amazing.

Yes.  I say yes…I don’t want to give you a time line ’cause I sometimes struggle with procrastination as well.  So, I say yes.  But, a timeline I don’t know, as I bounce back and forth between ideas.  I hope…fingers crossed…I have a vision of something happening in November.  So, I’ll say yes! 

We’re looking forward to that! 

You also work in the travel industry.  In your experience, what have been some of the things regarding travelers that stand out?

Uhm…I work in the travel business of cars.  (Miranda is an assistant manager for one of the nation’s top rental car businesses).  The biggest thing I’ve learned about travelers is the penny pinching.  Travelers are super concerned about the inevitable.  They worry about some sort of catastrophy happening.  Yet, they still want to pinch pennies, instead of making sure that they’re covered.  So, they’re willing to take a lot of chances.  For me honestly, I’ve found that catastrophe happens to the 35% of people who save the pennies.  The other 65% nothing happens.  They’ve spent money on the front end.  However, they have saved money on th the back end.  

I also imagine that in your industry, people are always asking for free upgrades?

Oh, yes…yes!  Always trying to book the cheapest, and then getting upset when they get exactly what they asked for.  It always blows my mind lack of frequency as a customer would warrant a Ford Focus, and not a Range Rover, which some think they’re entitled to based on limited use of our service.  I work 70 hours a week, and I recognize and acknowledge the frequent consumer.  You get in the end, what you’ve paid for. 

So, some lightning questions for you?  What’s in your carry on bag when you fly?

Headphones.  Always, always, headphones!  

Window or aisle?

Window.

Favorite airline?

Turkish Airlines (international).  Jet Blue (domestic).

Your favorite destination?

Istanbul.

Least favorite city?

Uhm…that’s tough.  I will say, Philadelphia because they actually booed Santa Claus.  

What is your greatest accomplishment so far, Ms. Mitchell?

My greatest accomplishment so far is probably my acceptance of self.  I’m not a selfish person, and never want to be.  But, I’ve learned to put my foot down about the things that are for me, and those that are not.  Learning from the past, that those things just weren’t for me.  Those things took me off course from who I really am.  

Lastly, is there anything that I didn’t ask that you’d like readers to know about you?

Hmmm…I think that I’d like readers to know that if they’re out there, kinda floating through life, same way that I am, it’s never too late to change direction…change course.  If, you’re not evolving, then you’re dead.  Sometimes, I feel old.  I’m like I’m almost 25…life’s pretty much over!  I would tell anyone not to be afraid to constantly switch gears, so that you don’t have to feel like you’re out there floating alone. 

They say that music soothes the savage beast.  What does travel do for your soul?

Travel for me, is the people!  You know, you hear all these stories and terrible things about places, and danger, crime and violence, fearing going here, there, and everywhere.  Then you get there, and the people are so kind…so nice, and so welcoming.  I say to myself, if I had let all those fears, and talk of fear spoken about people many have never met, then I would’ve never have met them.  So, it’s always nice to go actually to meet the people! 

Where can readers go to purchase your book?

You can purchase UNPARALLELED via Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.com.  But, most importantly, you can purchase your copy at  http://unparalleled.online

It’s been a pleasure interviewing and talking to you.  HilAm Adventures looks forward with great anticipation to your next venture!

Miranda Rae Mitchell is the author and editor of her first published non-fictional book titled UNPARALLELED.