Author Interview

 

World of Writing - Author Interview

Today we are joined by Kelly Mitchell - who describes herself as an: " author, podcaster, serial entrepreneur, thought leader, education junkie, and rebel with a cause" :).  Her educational carnage includes a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice and Associate's in Paralegal Studies.  The duality of her analytical mind and dark sense of humour are showcased in her writing and podcasting. Join us for this indepth discussion about writing, making a difference in the world and discover a couple of quotes today's guest wanted to share with you as well. Kelly invites today's readers to drop by her Blog and her Podcast:

https://www.musingaroundlv.com

https://www.playingda.com

Q: Hi Kelly - thanks. for dropping in our blog today to share your experiences in the world of writing! :) Let's start by discovering who or what inspired you to pursue a career in writing.

A: Writing has always been the gravity that holds my world together and the one thing I gravitated towards throughout my career and education.  The one thing that turned it all on for me and gave me the overwhelming need to commit to being a full-time author was Paul Coehlo.  He said - 'Writing is a socially acceptable form of getting naked in public'.  The quote struck a chord and empowered me to get naked--in a literary sense.  I was exhausted from getting up every morning in a fully adorned poker-face and becoming everything everyone needed me to be -- none of which were me.  I'm that person that has thousands of acquaintances but a handful of friends.  Writing and baring the intimate pieces of my soul is therapeutic and I feel comfortable in my own skin.  I'm not exhausted any more, I'm rejuvenated.  

Q: How does writing help you make a difference in the world?

I am a forward-thinker and can see solutions from outside the box to bring a complete picture into fruition.  For example, a majority would agree that educational reform is needed, but the focus is usually on one area of the problem when it is a culmination of things -- a perfect storm of problems.  My book, Clap If You Can Hear Me, is a navigational guide discussing practical solutions to several problems and provides relevant solutions that can be implemented immediately for parents and students.  On the slower moving bureaucratic end, I provide a separate set of resources and solutions that serve as a jumping point for conversations in PTAs and educational forums.  The book is well researched and highlights what the true story of education looks like and the specific areas that need to be addressed for national prosperity and secure generational wealth.  My point:  Parents and students need practical resources that they can utilize now while the wheels of bureaucracy turn to catch up.

Q: What do you do when you are not writing?

If I'm not writing, I'm either thinking about it or gathering intel and scribbling it on post-it notes to write about.  Such is the life of an author.  Friends and family are well aware they may be in my next book.  You write what you know.  I do enjoy reading, binge watching TV series, casual gaming, podcasting, and backyard barbecues.  I people watch.  I guess you could call me a life lurker.  Social psychology is a hobby and addiction.  Most of my time is probably spent asking, WHY?  I can give any toddler a run for their money.

Q: What were some of the challenges you faced in writing your non-fiction book(s)?

The biggest challenge for me is avoiding the curve ball.  When I start researching a topic, I find myself getting caught up in subject matter that runs off topic.  I am a hyperlink junkie.  The hard part is circling back to stay on course with what I was talking about.  I have been known to wander off and away from groups because something will catch my interest.  I'm fairly certain my phone's GPS system has saved my life on more than one occasion.  Oddly, this challenge is frustrating, but also one of the reasons why I love writing.  I am a forever learner and love to stack my conversational arsenal to the point of bursting.

"Don't let schooling interfere with education."

~ Mark Twain

Q: What age group did you write for?

My genre is 18+ for this book because of the crucial guidance; however, my audience tends to be within the 30+ age group because of my prominent dark humour and sometimes 4-letter colourful word phrases depending on what I'm writing.  I am a girl next door and speak to an audience like we are at one of my backyard parties sitting around the pool while day-drinking and defences are down--unguarded.  My desire is to have open, honest conversations with my audience that are authentic and not necessarily shaded in etiquette.  The value is in the quality content.  The presentation is secondary.  The audience I hope to connect with are voices not echoes.  I write for adults that engage in debate and understand the profound impact and importance it can have in change.  Debate strengthens arguments and encourages your ideology to live up to its potential, or changes it altogether.

Q: How do you plan to promote this book (or series)? (...Favourite writer websites, resources that you use, where you advertise, how you advertise, do you network...)

I am kind of winging it really.  I create a lot of social posts, showcase it on my website, submit it for reviews and contests.  I am a fan of OnlineBookStore.com, Reedsy, and Readers Favorite.  I'm also a book reviewer for the last two.  I promote posts on Instagram and am eternally looking for the 'viral post' which I have not mastered quite yet.  I am a member of the Nonfiction Authors Association and was recently featured as their author of the week.  I also promoted the book on Ebook Fairs and had the honor of being Best In Show.  I cross promote the book on my Podcast, blogs, and am featured at LeadershipBooks.com.  I am appearing on Dare To Be Authentic Radio next week and the Douglas Coleman Show in May.  I honestly didn't realize how much marketing I was participating in until just now.  The revelation is disorienting.  I was just being social.  

"To educate a person in the mind 

but not in morals is to educate a menace to society."

~ Theodore Roosevelt

Q: Is there anything in your book that is based on a real life experience?

Nearly everything I write is connected to real life experience.  Clap If You Can Hear Me draws on my experiences as a college-age student, adult-student (what people like to call unconventional--atrocious, everyone should be a forever learner), parent, mentor, and continuing education course creator.  I have been frustrated in every role with one thing or another.  I have participated in both on-campus and online studies.  Remember the main question I ask all day is WHY?  I have spent a lot of time in the educational space and discovered there is room for improvement.  Just like that, I was an advocate for change.  The importance of a globally competitive education that is relevant in today's world cannot be understated.  The challenge of COVID will be an obstacle for years--all the more reason why solutions need to be implemented now.

Q: Why did you feel this book needed to be written?

Education + Schooling = Wisdom.  Education touches every life and is a life-long pursuit.  

I was compelled to write the book because technology has many blessings, but comes with a social cost.  People have become disconnected from the community and look to the government to solve community problems when the government actually creates most of the problems.  We need to invest in our communities and take on the responsibility to better ourselves by way of community.  Service-learning provides that connection.  It also provides cultural and emotional intelligence, leadership and mentoring skills, virtue learning, personal responsibility, time management, self-confidence, pride in community, civic duty, and so much more.  Service learning is the catalyst for personal growth, self-discovery, and the empowerment of making a difference while networking.  Roosevelt's quote provides an accountability to society, not separation from it and is detailed throughout my book.

We should never be so arrogant to believe we know everything.  The key here is active listening.  Active listening means hearing what someone is telling you instead of filling your mind with ammo to fire back a response.  Too much of the world communicates with their finger on the trigger, waiting to prove themselves.  Wisdom is meek, egoless, and interested in hearing the other side because they need to process what is being said.  Schooling, in nature, has a lot of one-sided conversation.  The teacher speaks, the student listens.  Education is a participation sport from conversations and real-time experience.  Twain was promoting the pursuit of life-long learning.  I took this to heart.  As it stands, we are a country interrupted.  I'm hoping that my book ignites conversation and influences America to be inspired and situationally aware.  Denial 'aint just a river in Egypt.  

~~

 

Visit the Brummet's @: http://BrummetMedia.ca

 

~~