'Go out there and make it happen'

From the time Lorraine Morris Cole and Pamela McBride decided to write a book to the time it was published, Cole, of Woodbridge, moved three times and had two children. McBride, who lives in Atlanta, moved twice. (Both are military spouses.)

It took seven years, but last September, “Work It, Girl! The Black Woman’s Guide to Professional Success” finally saw publication.

Cole, 37, a stay-at-home mom living in Woodbridge, has been doing area book signings to promote the book.

“It is a career guide for African-American women and I always say it’s really for anybody, but the reason I say it’s for African-American women is because it’s anchored by profiles of African-American women,” Cole said.

She said the book is about using talents, skills and abilities to achieve goals. The book also includes profiles of prominent women, such as New York Times bestselling author Kimberla Lawson Roby and Carol’s Daughter owner Lisa Price, combined with profiles of regular women.

“My very best friend is an attorney on Capitol Hill, so she’s in the book,” Cole said. “She really embodies what the book is about.”

Cole added that the book includes a road map, worksheet pages that readers can personalize toward their own goals.

“We just want people to get in touch with who they are… to love the skin they’re in,” said Cole. “We want you to be able to walk away with the knowledge of how you can work it.”

She also gives workshops for women. She did one Feb. 7 at the Potomac Community Library, as well as one for more than 100 women in Maryland at Prince George’s Community College.

Cole has three children — one stepson, Brian Jr., 14, as well as Hayley, 6, and Evan, 4. She is married to Brian Cole Sr., a lieutenant colonel in the Army.

“It takes a long time,” said Cole, of writing while being a mom. “I love telling people you just don’t give up.”

Cole has also gotten help and inspiration from a Celeste Norfleet. Cole and Norfleet are members of the Woodbridge chapter of the Mocha Moms, a support group for stay at home mothers of color.

Norfleet, 49, of Woodbridge, writes Harlequin romance novels, including “Pushing Pause.” She just turned in her 16th book. Although Cole said Norfleet helped guide and inspire her, Norfleet said that’s not the case.

“It’s the other way around,” Norfleet said. “She is an incredible writer. I love her work. She is such a motivation. She’s got a book out now… which should be on everyone’s desk. It’s powerful and it makes you want to go out and do it.”

Norfleet said she found Cole and McBride’s book to be inspirational, with the message to follow dreams and affect positive change in one’s life.
“Don’t wait for something to happen, go out there and make it happen,” Norfleet said. “As the author of 16 books, she motivates me to keep on going.”

McBride, 40, coauthored the book with Cole. They were both freelance writers for Upscale magazine when a mutual friend introduced them. In their first phone conversation, they discussed writing the book together. At the time, Cole was living in Kansas and McBride was living in Hawaii.

“It came out very naturally, we just were having conversations about projects and such,” said McBride, who also manages government contracts. “She’s got a communications and PR background. I think the good thing about us as a team, with her communications and PR background and my career management and corporate side, it was just really easy for us.”

McBride, who was living in Hawaii when they first discussed the book, said she and Cole were similar enough to keep the ideas consistent, but still had different perspectives.

She also said the book is not meant to be read cover-to-cover, but at different intervals, to help people develop a lifestyle.

“There is really and truly power in partnering,” said Cole. “It was just a natural fit and I think that’s really a big thing.”

In addition to promoting this book, Cole said she is interested in giving seminars on the publishing business.

“I want to educate people from the pitfalls I’ve fallen into,” said Cole. “There were some issues with the cover and I was unhappy with that.”

She’s also at work on a teen novel, titled “Loving Justice,” about a teenage girl dealing with issues of rebellion. Norfleet is guiding her through the process of
writing fiction.

“I’ve got to retrain myself if I’m going to be successful with the fiction in the way I’d like to be,” said Cole.

She has written the first chapter and hopes to finish the manuscript by May.

And, there’s a chance she’d reteam with McBride in the future.

“We’d absolutely work together again,” said McBride.

Staff writer Josh Eiserike can be reached at 703-878-8072.

Want it?

What: “Work It, Girl! The Black Woman’s Guide to Professional Success,” Parker Publishing
Pages: 203
Cost: $12.95
Signing with Celeste Norfleet
When: March 8, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Old Country Buffet, 2942 Prince William Pkwy., Woodbridge
Seminar
When: May 31, 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: Potomac Community Library, 2201 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge

Visit: www.workitgirlweb.com or www.lorrainemorriscole.com